Brazil has surpassed the mark of 64 million registered CNPJs, a number 7.72% higher than the previous year, according to the second edition of the ‘CNPJs do Brasil’ study by BigDataCorp. Looking solely at active companies, the growth was even more significant: 16.11%, increasing from 21.8 million establishments to 25.3 million.
This rapid advancement, however, has brought a new reality: the imminent depletion of the current CNPJ model, composed only of numbers. In response to this expansion, the Federal Revenue announced that starting in July 2026, the Cadastro Nacional de Pessoa Jurídica (CNPJ) will have a new format, including letters and numbers. The measure aims to expand the number of possible combinations and ensure the continuous registration of new companies in the country.
‘The implementation of the alphanumeric CNPJ aims to ensure the continuity of public policies and the availability of identification numbers, without causing significant technical impacts to Brazilian society,’ stated the agency in a release.
MEIs and ‘Pejotização’ drive growth
The expansion driving the change is particularly visible in the segment of micro and small enterprises. Individual microentrepreneurs (MEIs) grew by 20.90% in the last 12 months and now represent 78.74% of active CNPJs in the country. Small family businesses, with two or more partners from the same family, are the second-largest category, representing 9.75% of the total. In total, 88.49% of Brazilian organizations are micro or small family-run businesses.
Thoran Rodrigues, CEO of BigDataCorp, highlights that growth is the result of two major trends. “Firstly, we have the strong phenomenon of ‘pejotization’. Many people who were previously employed with a signed work permit have started working as service providers, structuring their activities as companies,” he explains.
This transformation is observed in the growth of companies that declare ‘sales promotion’ or ‘administrative support’ as their main activities. Together, they accounted for 6.76% of the CNPJs opened in 2024.
“The formalization of small businesses, especially those linked to the so-called ‘gig economy,’ is the second major trend,” Rodrigues adds. Activities in passenger and freight transport sector, as well as services like hairdressers and manicurists, also had a significant participation in the opening of companies.
The Future of CNPJ: What Changes with the Alphanumeric Format?
The transition to the new model is scheduled for July 2026 and will be implemented progressively. Below, understand the main points of the change:
How is the CNPJ today and how will it be?
- Currently: A structure that contains 14 numbers (eight for company identification, four to indicate headquarters or branch, and two check digits).
- New Format: It will maintain the 14 characters but will be alphanumeric. The first eight digits (identification) and the following four (headquarters/branch) can combine letters and numbers. The two check digits at the end will continue to be exclusively numerical.
Who will be affected by the change?
The change will only apply to new registrations and the inclusion of branches starting from July 2026. For those already registered with the CNPJ, nothing changes: the number will remain the same, and no change in registration will be necessary. The registration process will also not undergo any changes.
How should companies adapt?
The main adaptation will be technological. Companies will need to update their software and internal routines (such as invoicing systems) to process the new CNPJ format. The systems should be able to validate both old numeric records and new alphanumeric ones. This adaptation may generate costs for entrepreneurs but will be essential to avoid failures in issuing fiscal documents and in communicating with clients and suppliers.
Despite growth, business mortality increases
Despite the boom in openings, the BigDataCorp study also revealed an increase in business mortality. Proportionally, more companies closed in 2024 than in any previous year, except for 2021, the peak of the pandemic.
Much of this mortality is related to a market readjustment. There was a disproportionate closure of companies in the food preparation for delivery sector, which had grown exponentially between 2020 and 2022. Throughout 2024, 1.66% of all closed businesses operated in this area.
“This acceleration in closures, when combined with the increase in openings, points to greater volatility in the Brazilian market, with less long-lasting companies and more churn“, concludes the executive.
