Deadline Runs Through March 31, 2026
Brazilian companies with foreign shareholders must file the Brazilian Central Bank’s Five-Year Foreign Capital Census (Censo Quinquenal de Capitais Estrangeiros) for base year 2025 between January 1 and March 31, 2026.
The obligation applies to Brazilian legal entities with any direct participation by non-residents in their capital structure and with total assets of R$100,000 or more as of December 31, 2025.
Updated rules
Several rules have been updated since the last five-year census in 2020. The filing period now runs from January 1 through March 31, instead of starting six months after the base date as it did previously. Filings must now be submitted through the SCE-IED platform, accessed via Sisbacen or gov.br credentials.
Commercial credit debts to non-residents are no longer reported through this census, though separate reporting obligations may apply through other systems. The same applies to investment funds with non-resident shareholders.
Consequences of non-compliance
Companies that fail to file by the deadline may be suspended from the SCE-IED system, blocking further foreign investment transactions. Fines under Central Bank Resolution 131/2021 and administrative proceedings under Law 13.506/2017 may also apply.
Filing guide
Considering the census comprises several accounting information from the period, we strongly reccomend clients to gather the corporate and financial documentation required for the declaration and ensure proper access credentials to the SCE-IED system are in place.
Our firm has prepared a detailed guide regarding the required information below.
This guide is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For questions about the filing, contact us.
Five-Year Foreign Capital Census
Filing Guide — Base Year 2025
1. Overview
The Five-Year Foreign Capital Census collects data on foreign direct investment in Brazil. The filing is submitted through the SCE-IED system (Sistema de Prestação de Informações de Capital Estrangeiro de Investimento Estrangeiro Direto), accessed via Sisbacen or gov.br credentials.
Base date: December 31, 2025
Filing period: January 1 to March 31, 2026
Who must file: Brazilian legal entities with any direct participation by non-residents in their capital and total assets of R$100,000 or more as of December 31, 2025.
2. Required Information
The filing form is organized into five sections: Stock Variables, Flow Variables, Economic Variables, Investors, and Submission.
2.1 Stock Variables
Data extracted from the company’s individual balance sheet as of the base date.
Balance Sheet Items
- Total assets
- Current assets (total)
- Non-current assets (total)
- Property, plant and equipment + Intangible assets
- Permanent equity investments in other companies
- Total liabilities (excluding equity)
- Current liabilities (total)
- Dividends and interest on equity payable
- Total shareholders’ equity
- Paid-in capital
Market Value
An estimated market value of the company as of the base date is required, along with the valuation method used. The value must not be zero, negative, or equal to shareholders’ equity.
Accepted valuation methods:
- Stock exchange quotation — mandatory for listed companies; share price × number of shares
- Recent transaction — value implied by a recent arm’s length sale of shares/quotas
- Global value proportion — for subsidiaries of listed multinationals; proportional share of parent’s market cap
- Discounted cash flow — present value of projected future cash flows
- Specialist appraisal — valuation by external expert
- Internal estimate — company’s own estimate based on asset values, growth prospects, multiples, etc.
Consolidated Balance Sheet (if applicable)
Companies that control a business group and prepare consolidated financial statements must also report consolidated shareholders’ equity, broken down between equity attributable to controlling shareholders and non-controlling interests.
2.2 Flow Variables
Data from the income statement, statement of comprehensive income, statement of changes in equity, and cash flow statement for the full year 2025.
Income Statement
- Net revenue
- Equity method results from investments in subsidiaries/associates
- Impairment losses (net of reversals)
- Gains/losses on fair value adjustment of derivatives
- Gains/losses on fair value adjustment of other financial instruments
- Foreign exchange gains/losses on assets and liabilities
- Non-recurring gains/losses not included above
- Net income (loss) for the period
Comprehensive Income
- Other comprehensive income (OCI)
- Total comprehensive income
Profit Distribution
- Dividends declared
- Interest on equity (JCP) declared
- Dividends and JCP paid (from cash flow statement)
Changes in Equity
- Shareholders’ equity at year-end of prior year
- Capital increases (new contributions) or returns of capital
- Dividend distributions
- Interest on equity distributions
- Treasury share purchases/sales
- Corporate reorganizations affecting equity
- Other capital transactions
- Net income (loss) for the period
- Other comprehensive income
Consolidated Income Statement (if applicable)
Same income statement items as above, on a consolidated basis.
2.3 Economic Variables
Operational information about the company’s activities during 2025.
General
- Total exports of goods (FOB value)
- Total imports of goods (FOB value)
- Number of employees (as of September 30, 2025, excluding statutory officers, outsourced workers, interns)
- Total payroll and labor charges for the year
- Number of R&D employees
- R&D expenditures for the year
Economic Activities
Percentage breakdown of revenue by economic activity (CNAE division).
Controlled Entities (if applicable)
List of Brazilian subsidiaries (direct and indirect) as of December 31, 2025.
Five-Year Census Only — Geographic Distribution
The following additional information is required only for the Five-Year Census:
- Fixed assets by location — percentage distribution of property, plant and equipment by Brazilian state (or abroad). Total must equal 100%.
- Net revenue by origin — percentage distribution of net revenue by Brazilian state of origin (or abroad). Total must equal 100%.
2.4 Non-Resident Investors
Information about each non-resident shareholder or quotaholder as of the base date.
- Name and CPF/CNPJ
- Capital contribution amount (R$)
- Percentage ownership (capital contribution ÷ total paid-in capital)
- Voting rights percentage
- Country of residence (individuals) or incorporation (legal entities)
- Country of residence/incorporation of the ultimate beneficial owner
3. Consequences of Non-Compliance
Failure to file, late filing, or providing incorrect, incomplete, or false information may result in:
- Suspension from the SCE-IED system, blocking further foreign investment transactions
- Fines under Central Bank Resolution 131/2021
- Administrative proceedings under Law 13.506/2017
