Internet in Brazil without a CPF: which option is the best deal?

What is a CPF, and why does everyone ask for it?

The CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas) is Brazil's individual taxpayer number. Everything from opening a bank account to accessing government services is built around it.

For prepaid SIMs, the law requires identity verification. Brazilian citizens do this with a CPF; foreign nationals can use a passport instead.

In practice, the problem isn't the law — it's the shops. Passport registration is only handled at carriers' official stores, and some staff aren't familiar with the procedure, so they mistakenly tell tourists a CPF is required.

That's why the real question isn't "is it possible?" but "what's the easiest way?"

1. Travel eSIM — the easiest option

If your phone supports eSIM, this is the simplest route.

• Set it up before you leave home
• No passport or CPF needed
• No airport queues
• You're online the moment your plane lands

For short and medium-length trips, it's the most convenient choice.

LimitSim has 18 plans for Brazil, with prices starting from €0.50.

To be honest about the comparison: if you'll use more than 20–30 GB, the local tourist plans below can work out cheaper per GB.

2. Tourist plans without a CPF (since 2025)

Starting in autumn 2025, the major carriers began offering dedicated packages for tourists.

Claro Flex Pass

• 20 GB — R$44.90
• 30 GB — R$59.90
• 40 GB — R$69.90
• Valid for roughly 30 days.
• Accepts international bank cards.
• No CPF required.

Vivo Tourist Plan

• 25 GB — R$55
• 30 days
• 5G support
• Activated with your passport number.
• App available in English, Portuguese, and Spanish.
• Can be purchased before your trip.

TIM Visitors

• A physical tourist SIM
• Activated at a TIM store with your passport and the address where you're staying.
• Around R$25 for 7 days / 1.5 GB.

These plans are a genuine alternative now. Just keep in mind that their prices start higher than travel eSIMs (roughly €7–8.5).

3. A regular prepaid SIM with your passport

The law allows it.

A foreign tourist can buy a regular prepaid SIM at a carrier's official store using a passport.

In practice, though, results vary from branch to branch:

• at some stores the process goes through without a hitch;
• at others, staff may ask for a CPF simply because they don't know passport registration is an option.

If you're staying long term, this route can be worth it.

For a short trip, it's not worth the time.

Which option is right for you?

Short trip (7–15 days)

A travel eSIM is the easiest choice.

• No documents required
• Ready before you fly
• Prices start from €0.50

If you'll use more than 20 GB

Claro Flex Pass or the Vivo Tourist Plan works out cheaper.

• Local network
• Big data packages
• Passport registration required

If you're staying for several months

A regular prepaid SIM is worth getting. If that falls through, the tourist plans remain a solid backup.

A practical approach:

Sort out your internet with a travel eSIM first, then switch to a local carrier at your own pace if you want to.

If you plan to use Pix, you'll need internet from day one

In Brazil, most payments now go through the Pix system.

Most tourists don't have a Pix account, because it requires a Brazilian financial account and, in practice, a CPF.

That's why tourists mostly rely on international cards.

But to order an Uber, use maps, or message your hotel or host on WhatsApp, you need internet from the very first minute.

Which is why landing in Brazil without a data connection isn't a good idea.