Planning a trip abroad , receiving payments from a foreign company or simply shopping on international websites.
What do all these activities have in common? The need to handle foreign currencies. For a long time, for Brazilians, this meant relying on credit cards with exorbitant IOF fees, exchange bureaus with unfavorable rates, and endless bureaucracy.
Fortunately, this scenario has changed dramatically with the rise of global digital accounts. Today, accessing an account in dollars, euros, or other hard currencies has become a simple, fast, and, above all, cost-effective process.
Understanding the ideal option for your profile is essential, and finding the best international accounts can be a game-changer for your personal finances and overall goals.
This comprehensive guide is designed to demystify the process and help you make the most informed decision in 2025.
Why Have an International Account? The Benefits Beyond Travel
Many people associate an international account solely with convenience while traveling. While this is a significant advantage, the benefits extend far beyond tourism.
For Brazilians, opening a global account represents a strategic financial planning tool.
- Radical Savings on Fees: The main advantage is savings. While Brazilian credit cards charge a 4.38% IOF (Tax on Financial Transactions) on international purchases, foreign exchange remittances to an international account with the same holder have an IOF of only 1.1%. Furthermore, the exchange rate spread (the difference between the commercial exchange rate and the amount charged by the institution) is usually much lower than that of traditional banks.
- Easy Online Shopping: With an international debit card, you can shop on foreign websites using your hard currency balance, avoiding exchange rate fluctuations when closing your statement and the punitive IOF tax that credit cards face.
- Receiving Payments from Abroad: Professionals working for foreign companies, freelancers, and digital nomads can receive their salaries directly in dollars or euros, without the automatic and costly conversion to reais. This offers greater control and purchasing power.
- Diversification and Currency Protection: Holding a portion of your assets in strong currencies, such as the dollar, is a smart way to protect yourself against the devaluation of the real and diversify your investments. Some accounts even offer access to international investment markets.
- Security and Convenience: Traveling with an international debit card is much safer than carrying large amounts of cash. Plus, account management is handled entirely through intuitive apps on your phone.
What to Analyze Before Choosing Your International Account?
With so many options on the market, choosing can seem daunting. However, analyzing a few key criteria will make the process much simpler. Before deciding, consider the following points:
- Fees and Associated Costs: Pay attention to all fees. These include opening fees, monthly or annual fees, transfer fees (remittances), international withdrawal fees, and, most importantly, the exchange rate spread. A transparent institution will always make these fees clear.
- Available Currencies: Do you only need US dollars, or do you need the flexibility to trade with euros, pounds sterling, and other currencies? Check which currencies the account supports.
- Physical and Virtual Card: Does the account offer a physical debit card for use in stores and withdrawals? And a virtual card for secure online purchases? Check the card brand (Visa or Mastercard, both widely accepted) and the card issuance and shipping costs.
- Extra Features: Some accounts go beyond the basics and offer offshore investment platforms, cashback programs on purchases, travel insurance, and other benefits that can add significant value.
- Ease of Opening and Use: The opening process should be 100% digital, fast, and hassle-free. A stable, secure app with a user-friendly interface is crucial for a good day-to-day experience.
- Security and Regulation: Check where the financial institution is based and under what regulations it operates. Accounts based in the US, for example, may offer the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) guarantee, a US government deposit insurance fund that protects your money up to $250,000, providing an extra layer of security.
Analysis of the Best International Accounts for Brazilians
To help you choose, we’ve analyzed four of the most popular and robust options available to the Brazilian public. Each has distinct features, catering to different user profiles.
1. Wise (formerly TransferWise)
Wise has established itself as a global giant in international transfers, and its multi-currency account is one of the most versatile on the market .
- Ideal for: Frequent travelers, digital nomads, and anyone who needs to manage multiple currencies.
- Pros:
- Commercial Exchange Rate: Uses the real commercial exchange rate, with no hidden spread. The service fee is displayed transparently.
- Multiple Currencies: Allows you to store and convert money in more than 50 different currencies.
- International Bank Details: Provides local account details in multiple currencies (such as USD, EUR, GBP, AUD), allowing you to receive money like a local.
- Cons:
- Not an Investment Account: The primary focus is on transactions and transfers, not investments.
- Card Issuance Fee: There may be a small fee for issuing and shipping the physical debit card.
2. Nomad
Nomad is a Brazilian fintech company based in the United States that offers a digital checking account in partnership with Evolve Bank & Trust.
- Ideal for: Those who want to dollarize their assets, invest in the American market and travel to the USA.
- Pros:
- Real American Bank Account: Your account is based in the US and FDIC insured up to $250,000.
- Reduced IOF: The exchange transaction for the investment account has an IOF of 0.38% and for the current account, 1.1%.
- Investment Platform: Provides simplified access to stocks, ETFs and real estate investment trusts (REITs) in the US market.
- No Opening or Maintenance Fees: The account is free.
- Cons:
- Dollar Focus: The platform is primarily focused on the US dollar, with less flexibility for other currencies compared to Wise.
3. C6 Bank (Global Account)
C6 Bank , one of Brazil’s leading digital banks, offers its own international solution integrated directly into its app.
- Ideal for: C6 Bank customers looking for a practical and integrated solution to dollarize or “eurize” their resources.
- Pros:
- Convenience: Everything is managed within the same app you already use for your Brazilian account.
- 24-hour exchange: Conversion from reais to dollars or euros can be made at any time of the day.
- Dual Currency: Offers separate accounts in Dollars and Euros.
- Cons:
- Opening Fee: There is a $10 opening fee (which may be waived for customers with high investments or high-tier cards, such as the C6 Carbon).
- Exclusive for Account Holders: You must have an active checking account with C6 Bank to open a Global Account.
4. Banco Inter (Global Account)
Following the same line, Banco Inter also integrated an international dollar account into its “Super App”.
- Ideal for: Inter customers who want a simple and free way to have a dollar account.
- Pros:
- Free: No opening or maintenance fees.
- Fully Integrated: The process is done quickly and simply within the Inter app.
- Gift Cards and Cashback: Allows you to purchase Gift Cards from American stores with cashback and offers cashback on certain transactions.
- Cons:
- Dollar Only: The account is currently limited to US dollars.
- Exchange Spread: The spread over the commercial dollar exchange rate may be less competitive than that of other specialized fintechs.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Wise | Nomad | C6 Bank | Inter Bank |
| Opening Cost | Free | Free | $10 (waived under conditions) | Free |
| Maintenance Fee | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| IOF (Shipping) | 1.1% | 1.1% (current) / 0.38% (invest.) | 1.1% | 1.1% |
| Main Currencies | +50 (USD, EUR, GBP, etc.) | Dollar (USD) | Dollar (USD) and Euro (EUR) | Dollar (USD) |
| FDIC Insurance | No (safeguarded funds) | Yes (up to $250,000) | No | No |
| Investments | No | Yes (US market) | No | No |
Step by Step: How to Open Your International Account
Opening your global account is easier than you think. The general process is quite similar across institutions:
- Choose your Institution: Based on this guide, decide which platform best suits your needs.
- Download the App: Search for the chosen company’s app in the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android).
- Have Your Documents on Hand: Generally, you will need a valid photo ID (RG or CNH) and recent proof of Brazilian residency.
- Follow the Registration Process: Fill in your personal information, upload photos of your documents, and verify your identity (usually a selfie). The entire process is guided by the app.
- Wait for Approval and Activate Your Account: After approval, which can take anywhere from minutes to a few days, your account will be active. To get started, simply send your first exchange rate transfer from Brazil to your new international account.
Conclusion
Financial globalization is no longer a privilege for the few. With technology as an ally, any Brazilian can access international banking services safely, affordably, and efficiently.
Whether you’re saving on a trip, receiving payments from abroad, diversifying your investments, or simply purchasing products from foreign websites, an international account is an indispensable tool in today’s connected world.
The key to success is to analyze your personal goals and compare the features of each provider, such as fees, available currencies, and additional features.
We hope this guide has simplified your journey to choosing the best international accounts available and that you can enjoy all the benefits of a borderless financial life.
