Maintaining a Brazilian bank account as a non-resident has ceased to be an insurmountable bureaucratic hurdle — but it requires the right account type. The CNR non-resident account: how to open as a Brazilian abroad is the question of those who have filed (or are filing) a Declaração de Saída Definitiva (Formal Departure Declaration) and need a legal channel to receive rental income, invest, or remit funds abroad. The regulations changed in 2025 and brought three account types with distinct rules, costs, and tax benefits.
What is a CNR Account and Who Can Open One
The Conta de Não Residente (CNR) — Non-Resident Account — is the regulatory framework for bank accounts in Brazilian reais for people residing outside Brazil. It is created and regulated by Joint Resolution BCB/CVM No. 13, dated December 3, 2024, effective January 1, 2025. Every bank account in reais held by a non-resident must, from that date forward, follow CNR rules.
The CNR is not a proprietary product of any specific bank. It is a regulatory account type — each financial institution decides whether to offer the basic variant (Lite), the full variant (Full), or the Special Regime. Not all banks make all variants available.
Who can open a CNR account:
- Any individual with residence outside Brazil
- Brazilians who formalized departure via CSD or DSDP
- Brazilians in the process of regularization with proof of residence abroad
- Foreigners not resident in Brazil
The CNR is the correct legal instrument for receiving rental income from a property in Brazil, conducting Pix and TED transfers, investing in fixed or variable income, and remitting funds abroad via currency exchange.
Source: CVM — BC and CVM simplify foreign applications — gov.br/cvm (2024); Joint Resolution BCB/CVM 13/2024 — conteudo.cvm.gov.br
CDE and Account 4373 No Longer Exist: What Changed with Resolution BCB/CVM 13/2024
The Conta de Domiciliado no Exterior (CDE) — Overseas Resident Account — has been extinguished as a regulatory category. From January 1, 2025 onward, the CNR is the only valid model for non-residents to maintain a reais account in Brazil.
The change is more than a name swap. Joint Resolution BCB/CVM 13/2024 redesigned the entire structure:
- The CDE was absorbed and replaced by the CNR (Lite and Full variants)
- Account 4373 (CMN Resolution 4.373/2014), used by foreign investors in the capital markets, was integrated into the new framework as CNR Full + Special Regime
If you held a CDE before 2025, your bank should have migrated you automatically to CNR. ⚠️ VERIFY with your bank that the conversion was completed or whether action on your part is needed.
The practical impact of the change was positive: the account opening process became significantly faster. Before 2025, the process could take up to 30 days and often required physical presence. Today, several banks complete the opening in up to 1 business day, 100% online.
Source: CVM — Joint Resolution BCB/CVM 13/2024 — conteudo.cvm.gov.br (published 12/03/2024)
CNR Lite, CNR Full, and CNR Full + Special Regime: Which Is Right for You?
The three account types differ on two axes: what you can do with the account and how much you pay in taxes. The choice depends on your profile — whether you have just one property for rent or maintain a portfolio of investments in Brazil.
CNR Lite — for those who need only basic operations
CNR Lite serves most non-resident property owners with rental properties. It allows:
- Receiving income from Brazil (rent, simple dividends)
- Making Pix and TED transfers
- Investing in basic fixed-income products (CDB, LCILCI — Letra de Crédito ImobiliárioTítulo de renda fixa emitido por bancos com lastro em créditos imobiliários. Isento de IR para pessoa física e coberto pelo FGC até R$ 250 mil.Ver tudo →, LCA at select banks)
Restrictions: no direct B3 access, no Direct Treasury, no variable income. Taxation under the general regime (income tax on each return at standard rates). Usually no maintenance fee.
For the property owner who wants to receive rent net of withholding and occasionally remit funds abroad, CNR Lite is sufficient.
CNR Full — for those who want capital markets access
CNR Full gives access to the complete capital markets: fixed income, variable income, B3, Direct Treasury, investment funds. Taxation follows the general regime — income tax applies normally to each asset (15% on fixed income, progressive table on variable income gains). Cost: varies by bank; some institutions charge maintenance fees.
CNR Full + Special Regime — for the active investor with funds from abroad
This is the direct substitute for the old account 4373. It is the account type with the greatest tax advantage, aimed at those who remit funds from abroad to invest actively in Brazil.
Tax benefits of the Special Regime:
- Exemption from income tax on variable income gains (stocks and REITs listed on B3) for funds sourced from abroad
- Exemption from IOF (Tax on Financial Operations) on currency exchange operations linked to investments in financial and capital markets
- Zero income tax rate on private credit securities: Financial Letters (LF), debentures, Real Estate Credit Certificates (CRICRI — Certificado de Recebíveis ImobiliáriosCertificado de Recebíveis Imobiliários — título de renda fixa lastreado em créditos imobiliários. Isento de IR para pessoa física.Ver tudo →), and Agribusiness Credit Certificates (CRA)
The cost is significantly higher. At some banks such as BTG Pactual, the annual cost reported by market sources reached R$ 24,000. ⚠️ VERIFY the current rate with your bank — secondary source data from 2025.
| Account Type | Variable Income Access | Variable Income Tax | Currency Exchange IOF | Recommended Profile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNR Lite | No | — | General regime | Property owner with rental income |
| CNR Full | Yes | Standard (15%+) | General regime | Moderate investor |
| CNR Full + Special Regime | Yes | Exempt (funds from abroad) | Exempt (investments) | Active investor |
Source: Joint Resolution BCB/CVM 13/2024; CVM — Non-Resident Investors — gov.br/cvm (accessed 2026-05-08)
How to Open Your CNR Account: Documents and Available Banks
The CNR account opening process became more streamlined with Resolution 13/2024. Several banks accept 100% online opening from abroad, with review in up to 1 business day. The standard set of documents required is:
- Photo identification — valid Brazilian passport or driver’s license recognized in your country of residence
- CPF — remains active even after the DSDP; mandatory for any legal act in Brazil
- Proof of residence abroad — issued within the last 3 months (utility bill, phone bill, bank statement, correspondence from a public agency)
- NIF (Tax Identification Number) of your country of residence — required by most banks for international KYC compliance
- CSD or DSDP — formal proof of non-resident tax status for Brazilians
Brazilians who have not yet filed a CSD or DSDP may encounter difficulty at some banks. Others accept proof of foreign residence without the formal declaration. ⚠️ VERIFY each bank’s policy before starting the process.
Banks offering CNR (secondary source data, 2025): BTG Pactual (Full + Special Regime), Banco Rendimento (standard CNR), C6 Bank (digital focus). ⚠️ VERIFY the current list of authorized institutions at the Central Bank — the complete list is not consolidated in a single easily accessible source.
For high-risk regulatory jurisdictions, some banks apply enhanced KYC, which may extend the opening timeline. Confirm with your preferred bank before beginning.
Source: CVM — BC and CVM simplify — gov.br/cvm (2024); banking data from secondary sources confirmed as market standard since January 2025
CNR Account for Those With a Rental Property: How to Receive IRRF Correctly
This is the most common use of CNR for non-resident property owners. The correct flow for receiving rental income works as follows:
Step 1 — Appointment of an attorney-in-fact
The non-resident needs an attorney-in-fact in Brazil — a property management company or trusted person — with formal powers to collect rent and remit taxes.
Step 2 — Withholding and remittance of IRRF
The attorney-in-fact withholds 15% IRRF from the net rental amount and remits it via DARF. The net amount is the gross rent minus:
- IPTUIPTU — Imposto Predial e Territorial UrbanoTributo municipal anual sobre imóveis urbanos. Base de cálculo é o valor venal — quase sempre abaixo do valor de mercado — definido pela prefeitura.Ver tudo → (property tax)
- Condomínium fees (HOA)
- Property management company fee
- Collection commission
Step 3 — Credit to CNR account
The net balance (rent minus IRRF and expenses) is deposited into the non-resident property owner’s CNR account. The tax is already satisfied — the non-resident does not file an annual IRPF return for this income.
Step 4 — Remittance abroad (optional)
The CNR balance can be converted to foreign currency and remitted abroad via a currency exchange transaction. The CNR was designed to facilitate this movement.
For the flow to work correctly, it is essential that your attorney-in-fact or property management company knows you are a non-resident. Without this information, IRRF may be withheld as if you were a resident, creating a tax liability for both parties. If you seek an experienced property management company in this regime, see how Regente structures property management for non-resident Brazilians.
IOF on remittance: In 2025, Decree 12.467/2025 altered IOF rates for currency exchange. Remittances to your own account abroad moved to 3.5% under the general regime. ⚠️ VERIFY whether the CNR under the general regime has a differentiated treatment that reduces this percentage — [Suggested source: Central Bank, currency exchange IOF table 2025-2026].
Source: Receita Federal (Brazilian Tax Authority) — Non-resident taxation — gov.br/receitafederal (accessed 2026-05-08)
Investments and Tax Exemptions With a CNR Account
The CNR, especially under the Special Regime, offers significant tax advantages for the non-resident who maintains financial assets in Brazil.
Income tax exemption on variable income — Special Regime
Non-resident investors who remit funds from abroad and invest via CNR Full + Special Regime have income tax exemption on variable income gains — stocks and Real Estate Investment Funds (FIIFII — Fundo de Investimento ImobiliárioFundo negociado na B3 que investe em imóveis físicos ou crédito imobiliário. Rendimentos mensais isentos de IR para pessoa física.Ver tudo →) listed on B3. This is a significant advantage over the resident investor, who pays 15% to 20% on the same gains.
Income tax exemption on private credit securities
For non-residents, there is income tax exemption on returns from:
- Financial Letters (LF) issued by financial institutions
- Debentures issued by Brazilian companies
- Real Estate Credit Certificates (CRI)
- Agribusiness Credit Certificates (CRA)
This measure was established to reduce the cost of capital raising for Brazilian companies in the external market and is confirmed by legislation in effect since 2022.
Income tax on public securities — zero rate in Special Regime
For non-residents investing via CNR with Special Regime status (Joint Resolution BCB/CVM 13/2024), the income tax rate on returns from federal public securities (LFT, LTN, NTN-B) is zero — per Law 11.312/2006 and updates, maintained by the regulatory framework in effect in 2025–2026. This exemption applies to returns generated by financial investments whose funds originate from abroad. Confirm the specific classification with your financial institution before operating.
IOF exemption in Special Regime
The Special Regime maintained, per Resolution BCB/CVM 13/2024, the IOF exemption on currency exchange operations tied to applications in financial and capital markets. In practice:
- Remittance of funds from abroad to apply on B3: IOF zero
- Remittance of investment gains back abroad (investment returns): IOF zero
This exemption can represent savings of 1.1% to 3.38% on the amount transferred, depending on the transaction.
Source: Joint Resolution BCB/CVM 13/2024; CVM — Non-Resident Investors — gov.br/cvm (accessed 2026-05-08)
What Does It Cost to Send Money From Abroad to Buy a Property via CNR Account?
The cost of international remittance for property acquisition in Brazil involves a currency exchange transaction — and the CNR is the correct regulatory channel for this movement. The feasibility analysis should consider three components:
1. Currency exchange spread — the difference between the official exchange rate and the rate charged by the bank. Ranges from 0.5% to 2% depending on the institution and volume.
2. IOF on the currency exchange transaction — for property purchase, the IOF rate on remittance of foreign capital destined for property investment may differ from the rate for income transfers. ⚠️ VERIFY the specific rate for this purpose post-Decree 12.467/2025.
3. Transaction fee — some banks charge a flat fee per currency exchange operation, regardless of volume.
For those seeking the lowest currency exchange cost, it is advisable to compare at least three institutions before closing the transaction. Banks specialized in currency exchange for non-residents typically offer lower spreads than large retail banks.
To understand the complete process for sending funds from abroad to purchase a property, see the guide on international remittance to purchase a property in Brazil.
Frequently Asked Questions — CNR Account
Is CNR the same as CDE (Overseas Resident Account)?
No. The CDE was extinguished as a regulatory category on January 1, 2025, when Joint Resolution BCB/CVM 13/2024 took effect. The CNR is the new model that replaced it, with clearer structure and faster opening. If you held a CDE, confirm with your bank that it was migrated to CNR.
Do I need to file a DSDP to open a CNR?
Legally, what the regulations require is that you be genuinely non-resident. In practice, most banks request the CSD or DSDP as documentary proof. Those who have not yet formalized departure with Receita Federal (Brazilian Tax Authority) may encounter difficulty at some banks. The safest path is to file the CSD/DSDP before or in parallel with CNR opening.
How long does it take to open a CNR?
Since Resolution 13/2024 streamlined the process, several banks complete opening in up to 1 business day with documentation in order. Before 2025, the process could take up to 30 days. High-risk regulatory jurisdictions may have longer timelines due to enhanced KYC requirements.
Can I invest on B3 using a CNR account?
It depends on the account type. CNR Lite: no. CNR Full: yes, paying standard income tax. CNR Full + Special Regime: yes, with income tax exemption on stocks and REITs gains when funds are remitted from abroad.
Can the attorney-in-fact use my CNR directly?
No. The CNR belongs to the account holder (the non-resident). The attorney-in-fact operates in Brazil on your behalf — collects rent, withholds 15% IRRF, remits the DARF, and deposits the net balance in your CNR account. The attorney-in-fact has no direct access to the CNR account unless expressly authorized in a power of attorney.
What happens to my regular checking account after the DSDP?
Your regular checking account falls into irregular status after formalizing non-resident status. When you notify the bank, it should convert your account to CNR. If you fail to notify, the registry inconsistency remains and can trigger incorrect income tax withholding.
Can I change CNR account types later (from Lite to Full, for example)?
Generally it is possible to adjust your profile without opening a new account, but each bank has its own internal process. ⚠️ VERIFY with your specific institution before making the decision.
Regente Integrates Property Management With the Correct CNR Account Flow
Opening your CNR account is the first step. The second is ensuring that the property management company in Brazil operates under the correct non-resident regime — withholding 15% IRRF on time, issuing DARFs correctly, and depositing the net balance directly into your CNR account.
Regente manages properties of non-resident owners in Florianópolis with command of the applicable tax regime. Each payment remittance comes with complete documentation. If you own a property on the Island, contact our team.
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