---
title: How to Open an Itaú Bank Account in Brazil with a CRNM:...
type: guide
category: article
project: floripaguru
country: Бразилия
city: Флорианополис
tags:
- finance
- travel
slug: open-itau-bank-account-crnm-brazil
date: '2026-07-31'
author:
- FloripaGuru Team
description: A comprehensive guide to opening a bank account with Itaú in Brazil as
  a foreigner using a CRNM.
lang: en
---
Moving to Brazil, and especially to the magnificent Florianópolis (Florianópolis), comes with a mountain of organizational and bureaucratic steps. From finding a long-term rental to setting up the internet, every step demands patience. However, one of the most critical steps for living comfortably and integrating into the local society is opening a local bank account. Living in Brazil without the ability to use the Pix instant payment system, pay a Boleto, or swipe a local debit card is incredibly difficult. Among all the traditional banks in Brazil, Itaú Unibanco stands out as one of the most expat-friendly, reliable, and user-friendly options available. In this comprehensive guide, we will detail exactly how to open an account with Itaú if you already have your residency card (CRNM).

## Why Itaú is a popular choice among expats in Florianópolis

Itaú Unibanco is the largest private bank not only in Brazil but in all of Latin America. When you first arrive, the sheer number of banking brands can be overwhelming: Bradesco, Banco do Brasil, Santander, Caixa. However, many expats specifically choose Itaú for a variety of compelling reasons:

1. **A vast network of ATMs and physical branches.** Throughout the country, including all over Florianópolis, you will easily find Itaú ATMs. This is particularly useful when you urgently need cash, although cash is becoming increasingly rare in Brazil.
2. **Top-tier digital technology.** Itaú boasts one of the best and most stable mobile apps on the market among traditional banks. It is regularly updated, intuitive, and rarely experiences downtime.
3. **Relatively lenient towards foreigners.** Unlike state-owned banks where you might be asked for a mountain of paperwork, Itaú's verification process for foreign residents holding a CRNM often goes smoothly.
4. **Integration with modern payment systems.** Itaú works perfectly with Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay, and provides a flawless interface for Pix transfers.
5. **Premium service options.** If your income allows, the Itaú Personnalité package offers truly high-quality service, often including English-speaking managers and VIP privileges.

If you don't yet know how [banks in Brazil](/blog/bank-account-florianopolis-cpf-2026) operate in general, be sure to check out our comprehensive guide to the country's financial system.

## Detailed document requirements: What you need to open an account

Opening a bank account in Brazil is a bureaucratic process that must be approached carefully. You will need much more than just a [CPF](/blog/get-cpf-brazil-tourist-online); a full set of documents proving your identity and status is required:

1. **CRNM (Carteira de Registro Nacional Migratório):** This is your main document in Brazil (formerly known as the RNE). It is a plastic residency card issued by the Federal Police. Without it, opening a fully functional account via the Itaú app is practically impossible.
2. **Valid address in Brazil (Comprovante de residência):** This is often one of the trickiest requirements for newcomers. The bank needs an official document in your name confirming your address. Usually, this is an electricity bill (Celesc in Florianópolis), a water bill (Casan), or an internet bill, issued within the last 3 months. If you rent a place and the bills are in the landlord's name, you may need a notarized rental contract or a declaration from the landlord.
3. **CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas):** The individual taxpayer registry number. Even if it is printed on your CRNM, it is highly recommended to have the digital CPF certificate downloaded from the Receita Federal website handy.
4. **Proof of Income (Comprovante de renda):** This is not always mandatory for basic accounts (Conta Click) but is absolutely necessary if you wish to obtain a credit card or a premium banking package. This can be a payslip (holerite) or an income tax declaration (Imposto de Renda).
5. **Your smartphone:** You will need a phone with a good camera to take high-quality photos of your documents and to perform selfie identification.

## Account types in Itaú: Conta Corrente vs Conta Poupança

When applying in the app or at a branch, you will be prompted to choose an account type. It is crucial to understand the difference to avoid unnecessary fees and account restrictions.

- **Conta Corrente (Checking Account):** This is a full transactional account. It allows you to receive your salary and any transfers, use credit limits (cheque especial, if approved), write checks (yes, they are still occasionally used in Brazil), and use Pix limitlessly. This account is ideal for daily expenditures.
- **Conta Poupança (Savings Account):** A restricted account designed solely for savings. The balance accrues a small monthly interest rate (rendimento da poupança) set by the government. This account comes with strict limits on the number of transactions, transfers, and cash withdrawals you can make.

**Our Tip:** It is highly recommended to always choose *Conta Corrente*. It covers 100% of your daily needs for life in Florianópolis and Brazil at large. If you ever want to save money, you can always open a savings account additionally within the app in just a few clicks.

## Step-by-step instructions for opening an account online

One of the main advantages of Itaú is the ability to complete the entire process online, completely avoiding a visit to a noisy bank branch:

1. **Download the Itaú app (App Itaú):** It is available on the App Store and Google Play. Ensure you download the official app and not third-party clients.
2. **Start the process:** On the start screen, tap the *Abrir Conta* (Open Account) button.
3. **Fill in personal details:** The system will ask you to enter your CPF, full name (exactly as it appears on your CRNM), date of birth, email, and mobile phone number (it must be a Brazilian number, for example, starting with the +55 48 area code).
4. **Choose a service package:** The app will prompt you to choose a tariff plan. To start, we highly recommend selecting the free 'Essential' package.
5. **Upload photos of documents:** Take a photo of your CRNM card from both sides. Avoid glare, reflections, and shadows. Sometimes, the algorithms might additionally ask for your *passaporte* (international passport).
6. **Biometric verification (Selfie):** Take a selfie in a well-lit place. The system will ask you to look at the camera, blink, or turn your head to verify you are a real, live person.
7. **Wait for verification:** Submit the application. Reviewing usually takes between 1 to 3 business days. The response containing your account details (Agência and Conta) will be sent to your email or via push notification.
8. **Receive your card:** Once approved, the physical debit card will be mailed to your Brazilian address. Delivery to Florianópolis usually takes 5 to 10 days.

## Personal experience and tips from the FloripaGuru team

> 💬 **From expat community chats (opening an Itaú account with CRNM):**  
> *“At the Itaú branch (e.g. in Beiramar Shopping), the most important phrase is asking the teller for the 'Serviços Essenciais' package (the zero-fee account mandated by Central Bank regulations). If the manager insists on the Uniclass tier for R$ 50–80/month, accept it for month one, and switch it to the free tier in the mobile app three days later. Physical cards arrive by post in 7–10 days, but virtual cards and Pix can be activated before leaving the branch.”*


Opening a bank account in a Brazilian bank isn't always a predictable journey. Here are some real-life tips based on the personal experiences of our team members:

- **Issues with CRNM photo quality:** Itaú's automated algorithms can sometimes be extremely finicky about the quality of the plastic card photo. If your CRNM has scratches or the hologram glares brightly, the app might reject the photo 3-4 times in a row. If this happens, try taking the photo in natural daylight near a window, without using the camera flash.
- **Visiting a branch:** If the app persistently shows an error like "Não foi possível continuar por aqui" (It wasn't possible to continue here), do not despair. This usually means the security system requires your physical presence. Find the nearest branch (Agência) and go there with all your physical documents. It's best to arrive in the morning, around 10:00 AM, to avoid massive queues.
- **Proof of address workaround:** If you are renting an Airbnb and don't have utility bills in your name, ask the property owner to write a "Declaração de Residência" (Declaration of Residence) and notarize it at the nearest Cartório. Itaú generally accepts these documents when presented in a branch.
- **Phone security:** Brazil has its own unique security dynamics. Many locals and seasoned expats use a "Celular do Pix" — an older, spare phone kept safely at home, which holds all the main banking apps. On the primary phone that you carry on the street, it's safer to keep only a digital bank app with a minimal balance.

## Tariffs and service packages

Understanding bank tariffs will save you a lot of money in the long run. Brazilian banks are notorious for charging a "cesta de serviços" (monthly fee) if you accidentally select the wrong package.

| Service Package | Monthly Fee | What is Included | Best Suited For |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Serviços Essenciais** | R$ 0.00 | Debit card, Pix, 4 cash withdrawals, 2 DOC/TED transfers | Those who solely use Pix and debit cards |
| **Itaú Click Conta** | R$ 0.00 (if conditions met) | Credit card without an annual fee, higher limits | Young professionals and freelancers |
| **Itaú Uniclass** | R$ 60.00 to R$ 90.00 | Dedicated telephone manager, lower loan interest rates | Middle class, established families |
| **Itaú Personnalité** | R$ 80.00 to R$ 150.00 (free with R$ 50k+ invested) | VIP branches, personal WhatsApp manager, premium cards | High-net-worth clients, active investors |

*Important Note: The Central Bank of Brazil legally mandates all banks to provide the "Serviços Essenciais" package completely free of charge. Branch managers might "forget" to mention this, so if you are opening an account in person, confidently insist on the "Pacote de Serviços Essenciais".*

## Alternative: Nubank and digital banks

If Itaú feels a bit too conservative or bureaucratic for your taste, an excellent modern alternative is **Nubank** — the largest digital bank (fintech) in Latin America. It operates entirely online, has absolutely no physical branches, but still requires a CRNM or a valid visa (*visto válido*) combined with a CPF.

The Nubank app is renowned for being highly intuitive and is wildly popular among foreign remote workers and digital nomads. If you receive income from abroad, don't forget to familiarize yourself with the [rules for paying taxes on foreign income](/blog/pay-taxes-foreign-income-live-brazil).

## Important: If you don't have a CRNM

Foreigners who do not possess a CRNM are almost always automatically rejected by Itaú when applying online. Opening an account with just a basic tourist CPF is significantly harder. In this scenario, a physical visit to a branch (agência) is strictly required. You will very likely need a translator or a fluent Portuguese-speaking friend to accompany you, as well as a formal rental contract and solid proof of income. Even with all this, the branch manager might still decline your request, as banking policies regarding non-residents are extremely strict. To learn how to get a long-term visa, read our comprehensive [visa guide](/blog/brazil-visa-guide-2026). And if you are planning to start a business, check out [how to get a CNPJ](/blog/how-to-set-up-cnpj-brazil-foreigner).

## Comparison table: Itaú vs Nubank vs Caixa Econômica

To help you make an informed choice, we have prepared a comparison table of popular banks operating in Brazil.

| Feature | Itaú Unibanco | Nubank | Caixa Econômica |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Bank type** | Traditional (branches available) | Digital (online only) | State-owned (branches available) |
| **Open with CRNM** | Easy, mostly via the app | Easy, entirely via the app | Requires a branch visit with paperwork |
| **Mobile App** | Excellent, feature-rich, very stable | Best in market, minimalist, intuitive | Outdated, frequent crashes and bugs |
| **Credit Card** | Approved gradually based on history | Readily approved, but limits grow slowly | Very hard for foreigners without a guarantor |
| **Investments** | Huge variety of products (CDB, LCI) | Basic tools, Caixinhas (money boxes) | Traditional tools with low interest rates |
| **Best suited for** | Those valuing reliability & physical branches | Digital nomads and modern youth | Receiving state benefits & mortgages |

## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

**1. Can I open an Itaú account while I am still outside of Brazil?**
No. To open an account via the app, you will need a Brazilian IP address, a Brazilian phone number to receive verification SMS codes, and physical presence (or at the very least, a Brazilian address where the physical card will be delivered). Additionally, you need a finalized CRNM.

**2. What is Pix and why is everyone talking about it?**
Pix is the state-run instant payment system in Brazil. It operates 24/7/365, is absolutely free for individuals, and allows you to transfer money instantly using a phone number, CPF, or by scanning a QR code. In the Itaú app, the Pix integration works flawlessly.

**3. Can I receive SWIFT transfers from abroad into my Itaú account?**
Yes, Itaú is fully capable of receiving international wire transfers. However, the bank typically charges a high fixed fee for inbound currency exchange control (around $20-30), plus a spread on the exchange rate. For transfers from abroad, expats far more commonly use services like Remitly, Wise, or Husky, transferring money directly into the Itaú account via Pix for a fraction of the cost.

**4. What language is the Itaú app in?**
The mobile application operates predominantly in Portuguese. However, the interface is so well-designed and intuitive that with basic language knowledge and perhaps a translation app on a second phone, you will adapt very quickly. In the premium Personnalité segment, it is often possible to request an English-speaking manager.

**5. What should I do if I lose the phone with my banking app?**
You must immediately call the bank's hotline and block all digital access. When installing the app on a new phone, Itaú will mandate a repeated biometric verification (a new selfie) and often confirmation via a physical ATM, which provides an excellent layer of security.

## Conclusion

Opening an account with Itaú is a fantastic start to establishing your financial independence in Brazil. Having your CRNM card makes the process exponentially simpler and more straightforward. Follow the instructions within the mobile app, ensure you select the free tariff plan to begin with, and within just a few days, you will have a fully functional bank account that unlocks the doors to all digital services across the country.

> ⚖️ **Information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.**