Debts
Individuals with debt or financial problems with a company, bank or service provider in Brazil can seek help through public channels available in the country on equal terms with Brazilians.
- 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. Contact the Procon in your region.
- 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), in partnership with educational institutions, offers free guidance on tax debts, including consultation and installment options. To find a center in your area, visit Accounting and Tax Support Centers across Brazil.
- Brazilian legislation regarding superendividamento* provides assistance to people who cannot repay consumer debts without compromising basic subsistence needs. Those who are over-indebted can seek help from a consumer protection agency (Procon, Public Defender’s Office (DPU)) in renegotiating their debts.
- 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 about the Brazilian financial system, 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.
Furthermore, it’s worth checking out the Map Your Financial Life course, available for free on the Meu Bolso em Dia platform, an initiative of Febraban (Brazilian Federation of Banks) with the support of the Central Bank. The course helps you identify your current financial situation, understand where your money is going, and build an action plan to regain financial balance. The platform also offers content, tools, and personalized learning paths for those who want to get out of debt, organize their budget, and achieve their financial goals sustainably.
* 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.
To become debt-free and prevent similar situations from occurring in the future, it’s essential to regain control of your financial life. This is a challenge that requires organization, discipline, and a change in habits.
The Financial Citizenship portal of the Central Bank of Brazil has a wealth of information and guidance to help you better manage your money. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get started:
1️⃣ Map your debts
Make a list of all your debts.
* Note: Include the total amount remaining, the value of each installment, the number of installments remaining, and the interest rate.
2️⃣ Identify your expenses
Create a budget, record your income, and track how you spend your money.
3️⃣ Involve your family
Everyone’s participation is important in finding alternatives to financial hardship.
4️⃣ Eliminate expenses
Cut or reduce non-essential expenses. Prioritize what’s necessary for you and your family, allocating the rest to pay off debt.
5️⃣ Don’t take on new debt
It’s important to nip the problem in the bud. While you’re organizing your finances, don’t take on new commitments. This prevents the situation from worsening and helps maintain your recovery plan.
6️⃣ Prioritize the most expensive debts
Prioritize paying off the most expensive debts, that is, those with the highest Total Effective Cost (CET) and the highest interest rates, such as credit cards and overdrafts, which grow faster. Contact your creditors and try to negotiate better payment terms. Negotiating can reduce interest rates, extend payment terms, and make repayment easier. You can also request debt portability to another bank that offers better conditions.
7️⃣ Generate extra income
Sometimes cutting expenses isn’t enough. Earning extra income can be a solution. You can use the skills you already have (artistic or culinary talents) or sell items you don’t use.
For more tips on how to pay off debt, visit the Pay Off Debt page of the Central Bank of Brazil.
The program is not an automatic cancellation of debt but rather the possibility of renegotiation with participating banks and financial institutions, with better conditions for the citizens.
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 program.
Step-By-Step Procedure for Application
1️⃣ Check eligibility, whether you meet the necessary requirements to participate in the chosen program.
2️⃣ Identify where the debt is held (which bank or financial institution) and contact them to ask if the debt can be covered by the program that will be used.
* 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.
4️⃣ Review the new contract before accepting, confirming the discount, monthly interest, number of installments, the Total Effective Cost (CET), 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.