Updated February 2026
Renting a Car in Brazil as a Foreigner (2026)
Brazil is huge, and outside the big cities a car changes everything. Beach towns down the coast, the mountains behind Rio, the interior of São Paulo state, all of it opens up once you can drive. Renting as a foreigner is very doable, but there are a few documents to get right and one Brazilian detail, the CPF, that can make the counter go smoothly or slowly. Here is exactly how it works, and the main companies to compare.
What you need to rent a car
- ✓ A valid passport. Your primary ID at the counter.
- ✓ Your home driving licence, plus an International Driving Permit (IDP). The IDP is cheap, expected by most agencies, and saves you trouble if police stop you.
- ✓ A credit card in the driver's name. For the security hold. Debit cards are often refused.
- ✓ Often a CPF. Many agencies ask for one to complete the booking and to process tolls and fines.
Do you need a CPF to rent a car?
Not always, but often enough that it is worth having. Some branches rent to foreigners on a passport and licence alone. Others, especially for longer rentals, require a CPF to finish the contract, register you for electronic toll tags, and handle any traffic fines. The frustrating part is you often only find out at the counter. Having a CPF ready means you are never the person turned away because a system will not accept a booking without one. It is the same story as banking, rentals, and phone plans here: the CPF quietly sits underneath the local version of everything.
Get your CPF before you hit the road
GET CPF prepares everything you need for $29: your form data ready to copy, the right office, and a document checker so nothing gets rejected.
Get started ·The main rental companies to compare
Brazil's rental market is dominated by a few big local names, all with desks at the major airports. Prices and foreigner-friendliness vary, so it pays to compare a couple before booking.
Localiza
The largest rental company in Latin America, with the widest branch network and the most airport counters. The safe default for coverage and one-way rentals between cities.
Visit Localiza ↗Movida
A strong, modern competitor with newer cars and often better online prices. Good app and a big presence at airports and in the main cities.
Visit Movida ↗Unidas
Another of the big three, known for good longer-term and monthly rates if you plan to keep a car for weeks rather than days.
Visit Unidas ↗Rentcars (comparison)
A Brazilian comparison site that shows Localiza, Movida, Unidas, Foco and international brands side by side, in English and often with better deals than booking direct.
Visit Rentcars ↗Driving tips for foreigners
- ✓ Tolls: highways use electronic tags (Sem Parar, ConectCar). Ask the agency to include one, or budget cash for manual lanes.
- ✓ Insurance: take the protection package. Repairs and theft claims are expensive without it.
- ✓ Fuel: most cars are flex and run on either gasolina or cheaper etanol. Etanol is only worth it below roughly 70 percent of the petrol price.
- ✓ Cities vs road trips: in São Paulo or Rio you rarely need a car day to day. Rent for the trip, not the city.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreigner rent a car in Brazil?
Yes, with a passport, a home driving licence (IDP recommended), and a credit card in the driver's name. Many agencies also ask for a CPF, and having one avoids being turned away at the counter.
Do you need a CPF to rent a car in Brazil?
Not always, but often. Some agencies rent on passport and licence alone; others require a CPF to finish the booking and process tolls and fines. Having one removes the friction, especially for longer rentals.
Do I need an International Driving Permit?
Brazil recognises foreign licences for short stays, but an IDP alongside your home licence is strongly recommended. It is cheap, expected by most rental firms, and avoids trouble if police stop you.
Get your CPF sorted in 5 minutes
Everything you need to walk in prepared, then your CPF arrives by email a few days later. One-time payment, money-back guarantee.
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