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First things first. And the first thing to have when you want
to get a piece of the Brazilian dream is
a CPF. If you don't have one
there is no sense in proceeding with your purchasing
plans. The CPF is
a magic and indispensable key.
By
Boris Goldshmit
Here it comes. The new hype of the twenty first century. The new 'battle cry' of the disenchanted, overtaxed,
overworked, and under-appreciated. With the appeal of 'white picket fences' rapidly fading away (at least for those who already had
their shot at achieving it), the idea of a modest condo in Rio de Janeiro becomes increasingly more attractive.
Perfect climate, breathtaking scenery, lush tropical vegetation, Direct TV for peanuts, movies in English with
Portuguese subtitles, five-minute walk to the beach and outrageously inexpensive cost of living. If not for the fact that Brazilians are
not angels (they are a lot more fun then angels), I'd say that this place is a paradise.
Sure, there are problems and inconveniences, but so was there the proverbial trouble in Paradise. If we got expelled
from heaven for allegedly trying to learn the difference between good and evil, at least some of us are now able to call a
'time
out' and go back (forfeiting the knowledge) to simply enjoy the fruits of the acquired experience.
Every year a tide of foreign tourists descends on the shores of Brazil. Every year the tide leaves more and more
people behind—people unwilling, or unable (for good reasons) to say 'good buy' to Brazil. Every year more and more of the
casual visitors decide to form a more stable relationship with Brazil by extending their initially short stay, returning to visit in a
hurry, or deciding to settle down here for a while or even for good.
The fascinating spike in the numbers of the 'First World refugees', looking to escape from the
'advantages' of living
in allegedly more civilized countries, is an ever growing phenomenon. Our increasingly dangerous and unstable world
brings many to the point of heightened willingness to jettison problems and to look for a quieter and less expensive place
where one can simply kick back and relax without taking a major bite out of the remnants of once significant nest egg.
Hold on to Your Hats
The road to your dream place in Brazil can be very rocky and hilly. There are also plenty of dragons one needs to
slay on the way. The first and foremost impediment to claiming your piece of this heaven on earth called Brazil is the
blatant unwillingness of the Brazilian Government to cut any kind of slack for all those wide-eyed foreigners who've shelled out
their dough for a few acres or rooms in Brazil.
Yes, you heard me right: property ownership in Brazil doesn't entitle a foreigner to any type of permanent visa.
There are stories and rumors all over the place. Greedy real estate brokers would offer you a pie in the sky on top of the
permanent visa for the price of that three-bedroom condo in Ipanema, but do not try to hold them to their words when the deal is
done and the money has changed hands. You will still be able to hold on to your condo, but the promised permanent visa
would remain just as illusory and unattainable as the celestial cake.
Many foreign property owners either enjoy their properties part-time (due to the 180 days per year stay limit) or find
other ways to secure permanent residentship in Brazil.
The Carioca Way
The alternative to doing 'things the local way' in Brazil is perpetual frustration. It doesn't mean that once you adopt
a local attitude, the frustration will simply go away... absolutely not. But, instead of grinding your teeth to a pulp, losing
your voice in futile calls to the manager or anyone who knows 'what the hell is going on', you can enjoy yourself by
socializing with the fellow unfortunate victims of the abysmal cosmic incompetence of a Brazilian bureaucrat. Beware! In Brazil
everything takes longer, changes a lot, doesn't turn out the way it's supposed to, and is almost never resolved by a direct confrontation.
The CPF Thang
If you don't have it, the CPF that is, there is no sense in proceeding with the buying gallop. Just like a magic key, the
CPF (Cadastro de Pessoa Física—Natural Person's Record) opens up the bank doors, makes international wires accessible,
and entitles you to sign your name on buy agreements and on the property title transfer forms. If you don't have it —you
ain't got it. No property ownership or financial document that you sign carries legal clout until you get your hands on that
magic number.
North Americans have a great advantage over the less fortunate inhabitants of the countries run by anal-retentive
magistrates and emasculated federal governments. While a U.S. citizen can go to the U.S. Consulate with US$ 30 in the pocket, U.S.
passport, and two passport-sized photos and after a few hours walk out with the coveted
atestado (certificate) stating the names of both applicant's parents, a European-born unfortunate soul would need to jump through many hoops and spend lots of
Euros to get the required paperwork from his or her native city.
The atestado containing the names of both parents is a must for completing one's CPF registration process and
opening a Brazilian Bank Account.
There are three critical steps involved in securing a CPF number:
Step 1
Go to the nearest Banco do Brasil branch (they are all over the country) and fill out an application to open up a CPF
inscription process. It costs R$ 4.5 and may require a proof of residence in Brazil, such as a lease agreement or a utility bill with your
name on it.
Note: If the branch where you tried to file for CPF is demanding a proof of residence and you don't have one, just go
to another branch and pray that they won't ask for one.
Step 2
Whatever it takes, get that document in Portuguese stating the names of both parents.
Step 3
Go to the nearest Ministério da Fazenda (Finance Ministry) -
www.fazenda.gov.br - office and do not leave it
until you are holding that coveted piece of paper with your CPF number on it.
Boris Goldshmit, the author, is an amateur writer and a professional Brazilian property owner. He writes for a
website dedicated to issues of foreign property ownership in Brazil —
www.lifestylesbrazil.com. He can be reached
at boris@lifestylesbrazil.com
This article was originally published in Lifestyles Brazil —
www.lifestylesbrazil.com .
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i need to talk to you, could you please drop me an email at vlad@dbcluster.com