Debt
Individuals with debt or financial problems with a company, bank or service provider in Brazil can seek help through public channels in Brazil on equal terms with Brazilian nationals, observing the rules applicable to each service.
- Consumidor.gov.br assists in direct contact with participating companies and in solving complaints, including issues related to debts.
- Procon, Brazil’s public authority for consumer protection and defense, assists with consumer complaints and debt negotiation.
- Registrato, from the Central Bank of Brazil, assists in consulting debts, credit operations and relationships with financial institutions registered in one’s name.
- Núcleo de Apoio Contábil e Fiscal (NAF) offers free guidance on tax debts, including consultation and installment options.
- Superendividamento*, Brazil’s legislation on over-indebtedness, assists people who cannot repay consumer debts without compromising basic living needs.
Individuals with overdue debt may be eligible for the federal debt-reduction program “Novo Desenrola Brasil”, also known as Desenrola 2.0, launched in May 2026. Please see the section below for more information.
For more information, please read the Financial Information Booklet for Migrants and Refugees. The booklet includes practical guidance for migrants and refugees on various topics, including credit, microcredit, consumer debt, credit vs. debit payments, minimum credit card repayments, policies and different everyday payment options such as “à vista” & installments.
* Superendividamento (over-indebtedness) in Brazil refers to the legal situation in which a consumer, acting in good faith, is clearly unable to repay all consumer debts without compromising their minimum standard of living, as defined under Law No. 14.181/2021. Under Law No. 14.181/2021, consumers, regardless of nationality or status, have the right to maintain a minimum standard of living while repaying debts, the right to clear and transparent information about interest rates and total costs, and the right to fair and good-faith repayment conditions from credit providers.
The program is not an automatic cancellation of debt but a renegotiation program with participating banks and financial institutions.
The program allows eligible individuals to obtain discounts, lower interest rates, smaller installments and longer repayment periods. The program may offer;
- Debt discounts ranging from 30% to 90%.
- Interest rates as low as 1.99% per month, in up to 48 installments.
- 35-day grace period before the first payment.
- Renegotiation credit limit of up to R$15,000 per person per bank or financial institution.
- Usage of 20% of the FGTS balance* or up to R$1,000, whichever is higher, to partially of fully pay off the debt.
* FGTS balance refers to the amount available in the worker’s FGTS account. FGTS is Brazil’s severance fund, where employers deposit amounts linked to formal employment.
For families with overdue debt, the program has a specific modality, Desenrola Famílias, intended for people with income equivalent of up to five minimum wages per household, and may include debts such as credit cards, overdrafts and personal loans (CDC). The debt must have been contracted by 31 January 2026 and be overdue for at least 90 days and a maximum of two (2) years.
The program also includes specific modalities for FIES student debts (Desenrola FIES) and for small businesses, including micro and small enterprises (Desenrola Empresas). The exact conditions depend on the type of debt, the creditor and the rules applicable to each part of the program.
Step-By-Step Procedure for Application
1️⃣ Check eligibility.
2️⃣ Identify where the debt is held (which bank or financial institution) and contact them to ask if the debt can be covered by this program.
* Note: Not all banks or financial institutions are required to participate, but those authorized by the Central Bank may offer a new contract under the program.
3️⃣ Request the available renegotiation conditions and check the maximum amount.
4️⃣ Review the new contract before accepting, confirming the discount, monthly interest, number of installments, first payment date, total final amount, and whether your name will be removed from the defaulters’ registers.
5️⃣ Accept the renegotiation only through official bank channels, such as the bank’s website, official app, branch or customer service.
IMPORTANT! Avoid paying fees or sending documents through unofficial links or via WhatsApp.