Updated March 2026 · 5 min read

CPF for British passport holders in Brazil

British citizen in Brazil and need a CPF? Here is what UK passport holders specifically need to know.

CPF for British citizens

British citizens can get a CPF in Brazil without any special complications. UK passports are well recognised and the process works the same as for any foreigner. You need your passport, proof of Brazilian address, and your mother's full legal name.

The main things that catch British applicants are the same issues that catch everyone: proof of address format, name formatting on the application, and choosing the right office.

Name formatting

British passports sometimes display names in ways that do not align perfectly with how Brazilian forms expect them. Middle names, hyphenated surnames, and the way 'observation' fields appear on UK passports can all create minor complications if you are not aware of them in advance.

The mother's name field is the most critical. It must be her complete legal name with no abbreviations.

After your CPF

With your CPF sorted, you can open a Brazilian bank account (Nubank is the most popular choice for British expats), get a proper SIM card, and access all the online services that require a CPF. Your CPF never expires, so it works on every future visit to Brazil.