A foreigner can buy an apartment in Praia Brava with very little travel. This guide summarises the path under the rules in force in 2026. It is general information: each case should be confirmed with a lawyer and an accountant in Brazil.
Can a foreigner buy property in Brazil?
Yes. Urban property, such as the apartments in Praia Brava, can be bought by foreign residents and non-residents without special authorisation. The restrictions in Brazilian law apply to rural land (Law 5,709/1971) and to the border strip (Law 6,634/1979), neither of which applies to Praia Brava.
Step by step
1. Get a CPF
The CPF is the Brazilian taxpayer number and is required for any purchase. If you live abroad, you apply at a Brazilian consulate: fill in the form on the Receita Federal website and bring your passport or ID to the in-person appointment.
2. Choose and check
Before any deposit, the property’s updated registry record (matrícula), the seller’s certificates and, for off-plan or under-construction purchases, the incorporation registration are checked: without it, the law does not allow the units to be sold (Law 4,591/1964).
3. Send the money
Payment comes from abroad through a formal foreign exchange transaction, at a bank or exchange broker authorised by the Central Bank of Brazil, with the exchange contract stating the property purchase. Keep that contract: it proves where the money came from and makes a future sale easier. As a rule, a purchase by an individual for personal use is not registered as foreign direct investment (Law 14,286/2021); confirm your case with the bank.
4. Contract, deed and registration
First comes the purchase agreement (or the promise of sale, for off-plan purchases). With payment, the public deed (escritura) is signed at a notary’s office (Tabelionato de Notas), and ownership only passes to the buyer once it is registered at the Property Registry (Cartório de Registro de Imóveis).
Purchase costs
- ITBI, the municipal transfer tax: 2% in Itajaí, paid before the deed. Confirm the amount on the City Hall’s payment slip.
- Notary and registry fees, according to the Santa Catarina state table.
- After the purchase: IPTU (annual property tax) and the monthly condominium fee.
Buying remotely
Almost everything can be done from abroad. To sign without travelling, you grant a power of attorney (procuração): at a Brazilian consulate, or before a notary in your country with the Hague Apostille and a sworn translation into Portuguese. Video calls show the apartment and the view in real time.
Renting and selling as a non-resident
Rent received by a non-resident is subject to 15% income tax withheld at source. On a sale, the capital gain is taxed at 15% to 22.5%, depending on the size of the gain. Rules change; an accountant should confirm your case.
How the service works
Selection of projects with sales authorisation, document checks with a lawyer, visits in person or by video, and support until registration. Jean Zonta, licensed real estate broker, CRECI 21.881.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to live in Brazil to buy?
No. A non-resident can buy urban property with a CPF and a passport.
Do I need a Brazilian bank account?
It is not mandatory. Payment can come from abroad through a formal exchange transaction, directly to the seller’s or developer’s account.
Are prices in reais?
Yes. Prices are published in Brazilian reais (BRL); the day’s exchange rate sets the cost in your currency.
Can I buy off-plan?
Yes, once the project has its incorporation registration. Before that, the law does not allow sales.
General information, updated October 2026. It does not replace advice from a lawyer and an accountant in Brazil.
