Documents to Rent in Brazil as a Foreigner: 2026 Guide

Documents Required to Rent an Apartment in Brazil as a Foreigner

Renting an apartment in Brazil as a foreigner is possible, but the documents required depend on the type of rental, the length of the stay, your immigration status and the company or landlord handling the contract.

A traditional real estate agency may ask for a CPF, proof of income earned in Brazil and a local rental guarantee. A furnished monthly rental may accept a passport, foreign bank statements and other evidence that you can afford the stay.

The important point is that there is no single document checklist that applies to every rental in Brazil. Before sending money or making travel plans, ask the landlord or platform which documents apply to your specific situation.

TL;DR

Foreign applicants should normally prepare:

• A valid passport
• A CPF, when required
• A CRNM if they already have residence in Brazil
• Proof of income or financial means
• Recent bank statements
• Proof of enrollment when applying as a student
• Information about the other occupants
• A rental guarantee, deposit or protection plan when applicable

For foreigners who do not reside in Brazil, Shortstay currently requests a clear passport copy and a detailed bank statement covering the last six months. Additional documents may be requested during the analysis.

Foreigners who already reside in Brazil and have a CRNM must provide the document and proof of income. Shortstay states that the documented income for this category must equal at least twice the monthly value of the property.

International students may also submit proof of enrollment. In some cases, a university letter confirming that the institution will cover the student’s expenses can complement the financial documentation.

Verdict: Recommended to prepare all documents before selecting the apartment. Sending only a passport and assuming that approval is automatic is not recommended.

Is there one standard document list for every rental?

No.

Documentation varies between:

• Traditional residential leases
• Furnished monthly rentals
• Student housing
• Aparthotels
• Tourist accommodation
• Direct agreements with property owners
• Rental platforms with their own approval process

A traditional agency may prioritize Brazilian credit history, local income and a rental guarantee. A company specializing in temporary residents may be able to analyze foreign bank statements and passports instead.

The property owner or rental company may also request additional information depending on the applicant, rental value and length of the contract.

Basic identification documents

Passport

For a foreigner who has not established residence in Brazil, the passport is normally the main identification document.

Send a clear and complete copy. Make sure that:

• Your photograph is visible
• Your full name is readable
• The passport number is not covered
• The expiration date is visible
• The image is not blurred or cropped
• The name matches the information entered in the reservation

Shortstay asks foreign applicants without residence in Brazil to submit a clear, legible passport scan with all information visible. The complete requirements are available in the official guide to documents required from foreign applicants.

An expired passport or an image that hides part of the document may delay the analysis.

CRNM

The CRNM, or Carteira de Registro Nacional Migratório, is the Brazilian migration identification card issued to registered foreign residents.

If you already have residence in Brazil, Shortstay requests:

• The front of the CRNM
• The back of the CRNM
• Both sides combined in one legible document

The CRNM does not replace the financial analysis. Applicants residing in Brazil must also provide an accepted form of proof of income.

See the specific requirements for foreigners with a CRNM.

CPF

The CPF, or Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas, is a Brazilian taxpayer identification number. It is widely used for contracts, banking, payments and other administrative procedures.

Whether it must be provided immediately depends on the rental company and the type and length of the stay.

For Shortstay reservations, the company states that foreigners staying in Brazil for more than 90 days need a CPF to complete the process. Applicants who do not have one should check the current procedure before the reservation deadline.

Shortstay provides instructions for applicants who do not have a CPF yet. The Brazilian government also provides official CPF information through the Receita Federal and Brazilian consular network.

Do not use a CPF belonging to another person and do not enter an invented number to continue an application.

Documents for foreigners who do not reside in Brazil

A foreign applicant without Brazilian residence may not have:

• A Brazilian employment contract
• Brazilian payslips
• A local credit history
• A CRNM
• A Brazilian bank account
• A Brazilian guarantor

That does not necessarily prevent the person from renting. The rental company may instead analyze documents from the applicant’s country of residence.

Shortstay currently requests the following from foreigners without residence in Brazil:

1. 1.A clear passport copy
2. 2.A detailed bank statement covering the last six months

Additional documents may be requested if the initial information is insufficient to complete the analysis.

What should a bank statement show?

Use an official document issued or generated by your bank. Whenever possible, the statement should make it possible to identify:

• The account holder
• The financial institution
• The period covered
• Account activity
• Deposits and withdrawals
• The available balance

Do not remove pages simply because they contain no major transactions. Avoid screenshots that omit the account holder’s name or the statement period.

If your statements use a different alphabet, an unusual format or a language the analyst may not understand, ask whether a translation is needed. Do not pay for a sworn translation or apostille unless the rental company specifically requests one.

Documents for foreigners with residence in Brazil

Foreigners who already live legally in Brazil are generally analyzed using their Brazilian residence document and local proof of income.

For applicants with a CRNM, Shortstay accepts one of the following income documentation options:

• Payslips from the last three months
• Income tax return accompanied by the last three bank statements
• Pro-labore statements from the last three months accompanied by the last three bank statements

For this applicant category, the documented income must be at least twice the monthly value of the selected property.

For example, if the property has a monthly value of R$4,000, the minimum documented income under this criterion would be R$8,000.

This calculation does not guarantee approval. The company may still analyze the complete documentation and request additional information.

Documents for international students

International students should prepare both identity and academic documents.

Shortstay currently requests:

• A clear passport copy
• A CRNM, if the student already resides in Brazil
• A student ID card or proof of enrollment
• A detailed bank statement covering the last six months

The company also accepts a letter from the university when it confirms the student’s affiliation and guarantees payment of expenses during the stay. According to the official guidance, this letter can complement the financial documentation.

The complete rules are explained in the guide to documents required from international students.

Can students use their parents’ income?

Under Shortstay’s student conditions, eligible students may submit proof of income from their parents or legal guardians instead of relying exclusively on their own income.

The student plan is currently intended for applicants who:

• Are actively enrolled at an educational institution
• Are no more than 25 years old
• Submit an identification document
• Submit proof of enrollment
• Provide their own financial documentation or that of a parent or guardian

Eligible students may also receive a discount of up to 50% on the entry fee. Because eligibility and the final discount may depend on the reservation, confirm the conditions before paying.

See the current student reservation requirements and benefits.

Is a Brazilian guarantor required?

Not in every rental.

A fiador is a person who assumes responsibility for the tenant’s obligations if the tenant does not pay. Traditional landlords commonly ask for one, but Brazilian rental law recognizes other forms of rental guarantee.

Article 37 of Brazil’s Tenancy Law lists guarantee options such as:

• Security deposit
• Personal guarantor
• Rental guarantee insurance
• Fiduciary assignment of investment fund shares

The same contract cannot require more than one of the guarantee types listed in that article. A cash security deposit under the residential tenancy rules is also subject to specific legal conditions. See the official text of Brazilian Law No. 8,245.

The exact arrangement still depends on the contract and the rental model.

Shortstay does not require a personal guarantor, but that does not mean the reservation is approved without analysis or financial protection.

Depending on the option selected, the reservation may involve:

• A nonrefundable monthly Shortstay+ fee
• A security deposit under the Standard plan
• Charges for damage caused by misuse
• An entry fee
• Other amounts shown in the reservation breakdown

Read the conditions before choosing a plan.

Does Shortstay require a security deposit?

It depends on the plan selected during the reservation.

Shortstay+

Shortstay+ uses a fixed, nonrefundable monthly fee instead of blocking a security deposit. It includes certain services and protections described in the plan, but damage caused by misuse may still be charged separately.

Standard plan

The Standard plan uses a security deposit. Costs such as move-out cleaning, consumption above contractual limits, inspection adjustments and damage may be deducted when applicable.

The remaining balance is returned after the stay and the closing of the accounts, subject to the contractual deadline.

Compare the current differences in the official guide to Shortstay+ and Standard.

A refundable deposit should not automatically be treated as a final rental expense, but you must include it when calculating how much money is needed before moving in.

Is there an entry fee?

Shortstay charges a one-time entry fee when the reservation is confirmed.

According to the company:

• It is charged only once
• It is included in the initial payment
• It does not repeat every month
• It is nonrefundable
• Its amount appears before confirmation and in the contract

Students who meet the applicable conditions may receive a discount of up to 50%.

Review the official explanation of the Shortstay entry fee before confirming the reservation.

Additional information that may be requested

Besides identity and financial documents, prepare information about:

• Check-in date
• Intended rental duration
• Number of residents
• Full names of additional occupants
• Profession or educational institution
• Need for parking
• Pets
• Emergency contact
• Country of residence
• Brazilian phone number, if already available

The company may request additional documents if the information initially provided does not allow it to complete the analysis.

Document submission is not the same as approval.

Document checklist before applying

Use this checklist before starting a reservation:

Always follow the checklist provided for your specific reservation. A document marked as unnecessary in one application may be requested in another.

Common mistakes that can delay an application

Sending an incomplete passport image

The document must be readable and show all required information.

Providing only a current account balance

Shortstay asks nonresident foreigners and international students for a detailed history covering six months, not just a screenshot of the current balance.

Using different names across documents

Your name should be consistent across the passport, CPF, CRNM, bank statements and reservation.

If your documents use different surname structures, explain the difference before the analysis.

Assuming “no guarantor” means “no financial analysis”

A rental without a fiador can still require proof of income, bank history, a security deposit or another protection plan.

Waiting until the moving date

Document reviews and requests for additional information may take time. Prepare the files before choosing a last-minute move-in date.

Paying before reading the conditions

Confirm:

• What the initial payment includes
• Whether there is a security deposit
• Whether the entry fee is refundable
• When the first monthly payment is charged
• What happens if the application is rejected
• What happens if you cancel
• Which costs may be deducted after check-out

How the Shortstay booking process works

The Shortstay process is online:

1. 1.Choose an available furnished apartment.
2. 2.Select the check-in date.
3. 3.Select a rental duration from 1 to 12 months.
4. 4.Enter the applicant’s information.
5. 5.Choose the available protection plan.
6. 6.Upload the identification and financial documents.
7. 7.Add the other occupants.
8. 8.Submit the reservation for analysis.
9. 9.Review and sign the contract after approval.
10. 10.Follow the reservation through the app.

Submitting the application does not reserve the property permanently or guarantee approval. Follow the instructions shown during the reservation and respond promptly if more information is requested.

Frequently asked questions

Can a foreigner rent an apartment in Brazil? Yes. Being a foreign national does not, by itself, prevent someone from entering into a rental contract. However, the landlord or rental company may require identification, financial documentation and an accepted rental guarantee.

Can I rent without a CRNM? It may be possible, particularly with a furnished monthly rental designed for people who have not established residence in Brazil. Shortstay accepts applications from nonresident foreigners using a passport and six months of detailed bank statements.

Can I rent without a CPF? It depends on the rental and the length of the stay. Shortstay states that a CPF is required for foreign guests staying in Brazil for more than 90 days.

Do I need a Brazilian bank account? A Brazilian bank account is not listed as a standard document for nonresident foreign applicants at Shortstay. Nevertheless, verify the payment methods available for the property and reservation before applying.

Do I need proof of income earned in Brazil? Not necessarily if you do not reside in Brazil. Shortstay analyzes a detailed six-month bank history for foreign applicants without Brazilian residence. Foreigners with a CRNM are asked for one of the accepted forms of income documentation.

Can an international student rent without personal income? Eligible students may use income documentation from their parents or legal guardians. A university letter guaranteeing the student’s expenses may also complement the financial documentation.

Does submitting every document guarantee approval? No. The documents allow the company to analyze the application, but additional information may be requested and approval is not automatic.

Do documents need to be translated into Portuguese? There is no universal rule for every private rental application. Ask the landlord or rental company whether a translation is required before paying for one.

Is a guarantor always required? No. Other guarantees may be used, and Shortstay works without a personal guarantor. Financial analysis and the selected protection plan still apply.

Final verdict

The safest way to rent an apartment in Brazil as a foreigner is to prepare the documents before selecting the property and confirm which checklist applies to your immigration and financial situation.

For a Shortstay reservation:

• A nonresident foreigner should prepare a passport and six months of detailed bank statements.
• A foreign resident with a CRNM should prepare the CRNM and accepted proof of income.
• An international student should also provide proof of enrollment and may be able to use parental financial documents or a qualifying university letter.
• A CPF is required by Shortstay for foreign guests staying in Brazil for more than 90 days.
• No personal guarantor is required, but document analysis and the selected protection plan still apply.

Recommended: upload complete, readable and consistent documents and review all initial charges before confirming.

Not recommended: assume that a passport alone guarantees approval, transfer money without a contract or use unofficial documents to accelerate the process.

Related guides

• How to Get a CPF in Brazil as a Foreigner
• How to Rent in Brazil Without a Guarantor
• Furnished Apartments in Brazil by the Month
• Brazilian Rental Vocabulary for Foreigners
• How to Rent an Apartment in Brazil Before You Arrive