How to buy a SIM card as a foreigner in Brazil without a CPF

If you're traveling to Brazil and need a local SIM card, you may quickly discover a common roadblock: most mobile companies require a CPF (Brazilian tax ID) to register and activate the SIM.

This can be incredibly frustrating for tourists on short visits, especially those who want to stay connected immediately upon arrival. Though technically a few companies offer SIMs to foreigners (the rules change frequently), TIM is the most reliable phone operator that allows travelers to activate their own SIM card using a passport number instead of a CPF.

Save the hassle and get a discounted Airalo e-Sim for your trip to Brazil: > 15% off for new customers (code: NEWTOAIRALO15) > 10% off for existing customers (code: AIRALOESIM10)

Buying & activating a TIM SIM Card in Brazil Without a CPF

If arriving at Galeão International Airport (GIG) you will be able to purchase a SIM card right away. There are TIM Sim cards available for purchase at the pharmacy located on the ground floor, in the arrivals area of the airport. The pharmacy located in Salvador (SSA) and in Sao Paulo's airports also sell TIM Sim cards.

Sim cards easily available for purchase at kiosks, convenience stores, pharmacies, and TIM stores in other international airports and throughout most cities and towns.

The process is surprisingly simple and straightforward. After purchasing the SIM card, you can follow these steps to activate it:

1. Insert the SIM card into your phone.

2. Dial *144 to reach TIM customer service.

3. Press 3 for English.

4. Inform the TIM agent that you want to activate your SIM with a passport number (instead of a CPF).

Within minutes, your sim card will be activated without asking for any CPF, avoiding the bureaucratic process that many travelers encounter when trying to activate a SIM in Brazil.

Don't have time to read the whole article? > Find cheap accommodation for your stay in Brazil > Find cheap bus tickets around Brazil

e-SIMs & other phone operators in Brazil

Other mobile providers in Brazil, such as Claro, Vivo, and Oi, technically allow SIM card activation with a passport, but finding a store that will actually help you do it is a different story. Many travelers report going from store to store, trying to find someone who knows how (or is willing) to process passport registrations, only to end up frustrated.

In many cases, travellers who are determined to get a physical SIM card end up relying on a Brazilian friend to register the SIM card for them with their CPF. For those who have just arrived in Brazil and don’t have local friends yet, this can be a major hurdle.

If you're looking to buy a physical SIM card in Brazil without a CPF, in my opinion, TIM is the easiest choice for a hassle-free experience, and the best option for longer-term travellers and digital nomads who will spend a significant amount of time in Brazil.

For travelers on shorter trips, consider skipping the hassle and getting Airalo e-Sim for your trip. Use these codes for a discount:

• 15% off for new customers (code: NEWTOAIRALO15)

• 10% off for existing customers (code: AIRALOESIM10)

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored article, and all recommendations are based on my personal experience.

More resources for planning your trip to Brazil

• Find cheap bus, ferry, and private transfer tickets on Bookaway, where you can make reservations ahead of time from abroad. Or, rent a car and give yourself the freedom to explore at your own pace.

• Find your perfect accommodation on Booking.com, with thousands of options ranging from luxury hotels to budget-friendly backpacker hostels

• You're not ready to travel until you have travel insurance. I recommend Safety Wing to my friends, family, and anyone travelling internationally. Get a free quote

• Forgetting something? Read my packing check-list for Brazil, and my list of 10 things you should do before you travel to Brazil