Foreign companies and creditors often face significant challenges when trying to recover debts from individuals or businesses located in Brazil. Legal, cultural, and procedural differences can make the process complex — and in these cases, having local support becomes essential.
International debt recovery refers to the legal actions taken to collect outstanding payments originating from cross-border commercial relationships when the debtor is based in Brazil.
What types of debts can be recovered in Brazil?
You may initiate collection proceedings in Brazil for:
- Unpaid invoices or contracts for goods or services;
- Promissory notes, checks, and other commercial instruments;
- Judicial or arbitral decisions rendered abroad (after recognition by the Brazilian Superior Court of Justice – STJ);
- Acknowledged debts with documentation or other formal guarantees.
Each case requires tailored legal analysis to determine the best strategy for recovery.
How does the recovery process work?
Depending on the situation, there are two main approaches:
1. Extrajudicial negotiation
In many cases, it is possible to begin with a formal notice, settlement proposal, or payment plan, supported by legal documentation. This phase can be quicker and more cost-effective if managed carefully.
2. Judicial proceedings in Brazil
When negotiation fails, creditors may file a legal action in Brazil to recover the debt. If the underlying title or decision is foreign, prior recognition (homologation) by the STJ may be required.
Once the action is filed, the creditor may request:
- Asset searches and bank account freezes;
- Seizure of real estate, vehicles, or company shares;
- Emergency measures to prevent asset dissipation.
Why rely on a local law firm?
Without proper local representation, foreign creditors face practical obstacles: delays, documentation issues, language barriers, and unfamiliar procedures. In many cases, debtors take advantage of the distance to delay or avoid payment.
Our team assists international clients by:
- Assessing documentation and legal feasibility;
- Structuring both extrajudicial and judicial recovery strategies;
- Representing creditors before Brazilian courts;
- Locating assets and taking effective enforcement measures.
We work with companies, law firms abroad, and individual creditors who need support collecting debts in Brazil.
Contact us
If you or your company need to collect a debt in Brazil, feel free to contact us. International debt recovery demands knowledge of the local system, swift action, and the right legal structure — and that is what we provide.
