Money & Payments in São Paulo (2026)

Good to know

Good to Know

Visa and Mastercard work almost everywhere in São Paulo; carry cash primarily for tipping and public transport.
Avoid airport currency exchanges—rates are poor. Use ATMs or official 'Casas de Câmbio' (exchange offices) in central neighborhoods instead.
The 10% service charge ('taxa de serviço') in restaurants is often not fully passed to service staff; tipping with cash is one way to ensure the money reaches the worker directly.
Most ATMs in Brazil do not charge local fees (except Banco 24 Horas at R$20). Your home bank may charge foreign transaction fees—check before traveling.
Always decline dynamic currency conversion at ATMs and choose to be charged in Brazilian Reals for better exchange rates.
Digital payment system Pix is extremely popular locally but only available to those with Brazilian bank accounts; international travelers cannot use it.
Carry small bills in reais for tips and informal vendors; large denominations can make change difficult.

Tipping Norms

Bars Cafes: Round up the bill or leave small change. No strict requirement; ~10% of the bill is polite if service was good.
Taxi Drivers: Not expected, but rounding up the fare is a polite gesture.
General Note: Tipping is appreciated as a cultural norm but not as deeply ingrained as in North America. Many Brazilians themselves do not always tip. A genuine thank you and smile go a long way.

Hotels

Housekeeping: R$5.00
Bellhops Luggage: R$5.00
Note: Tip per service or per day. This is customary but not mandatory.

Restaurants

Additional Tip: Not required. If service was exceptional, an additional small cash tip (5–10%) is appreciated but uncommon.
Service Charge: A 10% 'taxa de serviço' (service charge) is automatically added to almost all restaurant bills. This is legally optional but widely expected and is the waiter's primary income.
Payment Note: Many restaurants cannot add the service charge to credit card payments; the waiter may request cash for the 10%.

Tour Guides

Expected Range: 10–15% of tour cost for private guides. Smaller amounts for group tours.

ATM Withdrawals

Daily Limit: Usually R$800–R$1,000 per day, though Bradesco may allow up to R$2,500 per transaction depending on card.
Security Warning: Card cloning and skimming are reported in large cities. Use ATMs in secure, well-lit locations and inspect for tampering. Never use ATMs on the street.
Recommended Banks: Bradesco (no withdrawal fees for foreign cards), Banco do Brasil, Itaú, Santander, and Banco 24 Horas.
Available Networks: Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted; American Express and Discover are less common.
Currency Conversion: Always choose to be charged in Brazilian Reais (decline dynamic currency conversion) to avoid inflated exchange rates.
Location Note: Available 24/7 at airports, shopping malls, banks, and throughout the city. Withdraw from ATMs inside banks or malls for security.

Fees

Other Banks: Most major Brazilian banks do not charge local withdrawal fees; however, your home bank may charge foreign transaction fees (typically 2–3%).
Banco 24 Horas: R$20

Card Acceptance

Discover: Rarely accepted.
Payment System: Chip-and-PIN technology is standard; magnetic stripe systems are uncommon.
Visa Mastercard: Widely accepted almost everywhere in São Paulo, including small shops, restaurants, and beach vendors.
American Express: Accepted in major cities and larger establishments, but less common than Visa/Mastercard.

Banking

CPF Requirement: Mandatory for all account types; can obtain via Receita Federal website, consulate abroad, or Banco do Brasil branch
Catch 22 Note: Need bank account to pay rent, but need proof of address to open account; solutions include landlord utility bill arrangement or pre-owned property utility bill
Process Notes: Face-to-face verification required at branch for residents; some digital banks accelerate onboarding; KYC process mandatory; banks vary by branch in document interpretation

Account Types

Resident Account
Features
Full access to credit cards, Pix, investment products, and all banking services
Requirement
Valid visa with residency intent + CPF + proof of Brazilian address
Processing Time
1–3 business days typically
Non-Resident Account (CDE)
Features
Limited services; can receive rent and pay bills but typically no credit card or Pix
Requirement
CPF + valid passport; no residency proof needed
Processing Time
Varies; may be opened remotely with facilitator assistance

Required Documents

Valid passport or CRNM (National Migration Registry Card)
CPF number (provisional sufficient at opening)
Proof of Brazilian address (utility bill, bank statement, or rental contract dated within 90 days)
Proof of income (employment letter, bank statement, or university enrollment for students)

Initial Minimum Deposit

Typical Range: R$750
Note: R$ 500–1,000 range typical; some banks waive this

Recommended Banks For Foreigners

Digital banks (Nubank, Inter, C6 Bank) – faster, no fees, English interface available
Traditional banks (Itaú, Bradesco, Banco do Brasil, Santander) – more document-heavy but full services
Foreign operations (HSBC, Citibank) – foreigner-friendly but fewer branches

AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026

Sources cited for this category

These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.

More About São Paulo

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.

Money & Payments in São Paulo