Topic Hub
Business Law
By Zachariah Zagol, OAB/SP 351.356 · Updated: April 5, 2026
Starting a business, corporate governance, M&A, and compliance for foreign entrepreneurs in Brazil.
20 resourcesService Guides
In-depth guides to our business and corporate legal services.
Starting a Business in Brazil as a Foreigner: Complete 2026 Guide
Register CNPJ, form Limitada or SLU, open bank account, get digital certificate. Step-by-step guide with realistic timelines, costs, and compliance requirements for foreign entrepreneurs.
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Buying a Business in Brazil: Due Diligence Checklist for Foreign Buyers
Complete M&A guide for foreign buyers acquiring Brazilian companies: due diligence priorities, labor contingencies, certidões negativas, asset vs share purchase, environmental liabilities, CADE antitrust, SPA structuring, and post-closing integration.
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Corporate Governance for Brazilian Companies
Board structures, shareholder agreements, minority protections, family business governance, succession planning.
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LGPD Compliance — Brazil's Data Protection Law
LGPD vs. GDPR, compliance requirements, DPO appointment, data mapping, consent, penalties, cross-border transfers.
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Holding Companies & Asset Protection in Brazil
Patrimonial vs. administrative holdings, tax benefits, succession planning, piercing veil protections, SPE structures.
Read guide →Hiring Employees in Brazil: Labor Law Obligations Every Foreign Employer Must Know
CLT vs PJ vs autonomous, 13th salary, FGTS, vacation rights, termination costs, eSocial compliance. Complete labor law guide for foreign employers hiring in Brazil.
Read guide →How to Get a CPF as a Foreigner (From Abroad or in Brazil): 2026 Guide
Step-by-step guide to obtaining a Brazilian CPF as a foreigner — online via Receita Federal, at a consulate, or in person in Brazil. Covers name formatting, troubleshooting, and common mistakes.
Read guide →How to Open a Brazilian Bank Account as a Foreigner (Resident & Non-Resident)
Complete guide to opening a bank account in Brazil as a foreigner — CPF prerequisites, resident vs non-resident accounts, digital banks vs traditional banks, required documents, and common rejection reasons.
Read guide →Intellectual Property Protection in Brazil: Trademarks, Patents & Copyrights for Foreign Businesses
Complete guide to IP protection in Brazil for foreign businesses. INPI trademark registration, Madrid Protocol, patent filing, copyright, software protection, and trademark squatting defense.
Read guide →Blog Posts
Articles and analysis on business law topics.
Brazilian Company vs US LLC: Legal Comparison
Complete comparison between Brazilian company (LTDA) and American LLC. Taxation, liability, costs, regulatory burden, and which one to choose.
Corporate Governance for SMEs in Brazil: Guide
Complete guide to corporate governance for small and medium businesses in Brazil. Board structure, compliance, family businesses, and best practices.
Mergers and Acquisitions in Brazil: Legal Guide
Complete guide to M&A in Brazil. Asset vs share deal, CADE regulatory approval, tax implications, SPA structure, reps and warranties explained.
Shareholder Agreement in Brazil: Essential Clauses
Complete guide to shareholder agreements in Brazil. Tag-along, drag-along, non-compete, deadlock resolution, valuation, exit, and vesting.
Judicial Recovery vs Bankruptcy in Brazil: Guide
Comparative guide between judicial recovery and bankruptcy in Brazil. Law 11,101/2005, eligibility, process, creditor classes, and effects.
LGPD Compliance Guide for Businesses in Brazil
Complete LGPD compliance guide for businesses. Key requirements, DPO, legal bases, sanctions up to 2% revenue, ROPA, DPIA, cookies, and consent.
Business Due Diligence in Brazil: Complete Guide
Complete guide to business due diligence in Brazil. Legal, financial, tax, labor, and environmental checklists for acquisitions and investments.
How to Open a Business in Brazil as a Foreigner
Guide to registering a company in Brazil with foreign capital. From CPF to CNPJ, RDE-IED, company types, costs, and timeline.
Franchise Agreement in Brazil: Complete Legal Guide
Complete guide to franchise contracts in Brazil. Law 13,966/19, COF disclosure, royalties, territory, termination, and INPI registration explained.
Family Holding Company in Brazil: Asset Protection
Complete guide to family holding companies in Brazil. Tax benefits, asset protection, ITCMD savings, governance, and succession planning explained.
How to Start a Business in Brazil as a Foreigner
Complete guide for foreigners starting a business in Brazil. Entity types, CNPJ registration, costs, timeline, and legal requirements explained.