How to open MEI from scratch in 2026: full step-by-step

Opening MEI is free and takes less than 10 minutes on the Entrepreneur Portal. See the full walkthrough and start issuing invoices today.

MEI is free, takes 10 minutes and generates CNPJ on the spot

Many people postpone formalization because they imagine that opening a CNPJ is bureaucratic, expensive and time-consuming. For MEI, it's not. The process is 100% online, free and the CNPJ is generated instantly.

You don't need an accountant, you don't pay any fees, and you can do everything on your phone.

What you need to have before you start

CPF regularized in the Federal Revenue Service (see cpf.receita.fazenda.gov.br)

Account on GOV.BR (silver or gold level for biometric authentication) — you can create during the process

Business address — this could be your home

Email and mobile phone for registration

Choice of main activity (CNAE) — see table below

CNAE codes for common activities

Active	CNAE

|-----------|------|

App Driver (Uber, 99)	4923-0/01
Delivery courier (iFood, Rappi)	5320-2/01
Graphic designer	7410-2/02
Photographer	7420-0/01
Manicure and Pedicure	9602-5/01
Street cook/pastry chef	5612-1/00
Street vendor (clothes, shoes)	4781-4/00
Bricklayer and construction services	4399-1/03
Personal trainer	8591-1/00
Copywriter and Copywriter	9003-5/04

See the full list at gov.br/mei > Permitted Activities.

Complete step-by-step

1. Go to gov.br/mei

The official website of the Entrepreneur Portal. Never use third-party websites — opening is always free by the government.

2. Click on “I want to be MEI”

You will be directed to the FORMALIZE system.

3. Log in with the GOV.BR ACCOUNT

Use CPF + password, or authenticate with biometrics (silver/gold level) or SMS code. If you don't have a GOV.BR account, create it right there — it takes 5 minutes.

Fill in Personal Data

Full name, date of birth, voter's card or receipt number of the last income tax return.

5. Choose activity (CNAE)

Search for your activity by name or code. You can have up to one main activity and some secondary ones (as long as they are all allowed in Mei).

6. Enter business address

It could be the home address. No commercial room required. In some municipalities with restrictive zoning, some activities may have limitations — check with the local city hall if you are in doubt.

7. Check the data and confirm

Review everything. After confirming, the system generates the CNPJ instantly.

8. Download CCMEI

The Certificate of the Condition of Individual Microentrepreneur (CCMEI) is the document that proves the opening. Save in PDF — you will need to open PJ bank account and to issue invoice.

🧮 Calcule seu lucro real de MEICalcular →

What to do in the first month after opening MEI

Role	When you	where

|--------|--------|------|

Configure NFS-e (invoice)	-The early days.	Your city hall portal
Pay the first OF THE	Until the 20th of the following month	Easy MEI app or bank
Open legal entity bank account	-The early days.	Digital bank (see list below)
Issue first invoice	When you have the first service	Municipality NFS-e portal

Common errors when opening MEI

Choose wrong CNAE — choose the activity that describes exactly what you do. Wrong CNAE can cause problems in the issuance of invoices.

Use address in restricted condominium — some condominiums prohibit commercial activity in apartments. Check the convention.

Do not pay DAS in the first month — the first DAS is due on the 20th of the month following the opening. Delay generates interest and a fine.

Forget the annual DASN — by May 31 of each year, you need to declare the previous year's billing. Fine of R$ 50-1,000 for those who do not declare.

Do not issue invoices to PJ customers — it is mandatory. Making payments without an invoice creates risk for the customer and for you.

Digital banks for MEI (zero annuity or low cost)

Banco	Monthly fee	Differential

|-------|------------|-------------|

Nubank Legal Entity	Free of charge	Simple interface, unlimited pix
Banco Inter	Free of charge	Checking account + investments
C6 Bank Business	Free of charge	Credit card
Mercado Pago PJ	Free of charge	Integrated with Mercado Livre
Itaú PJ MEI	R$ 29,90/month	Facilitated credit for MEI

Recommendation for those just starting out: Nubank PJ or Banco Inter PJ — both free and easy to open on your mobile phone.

Frequently asked questions

Is it mandatory to have a bank account for MEI?

There is no separate bank account legal obligation, but it is highly recommended. Mixing personal and legal accounts makes it difficult to control finances and declare income tax. Opening a PJ account at the aforementioned digital banks is free of charge.

Can I have MEI with a dirty name (CPF negative)?

Yes. The default in the CPF does not prevent the opening of the MEI. The process in gov.br does not consult SPC/Serasa. The restriction may appear when trying to open a bank account — digital banks tend to be less strict.

Does the MEI become active if it does not pay THE DAS?

The CNPJ is active, but you accumulate debts with the Federal Revenue Service. Overdue debts generate interest (SELIC) + a fine of 0.33% per day. If you are late for too long, you may have the MEI compulsorily canceled.

Can I have more than one CNAE in MEI?

Yes, it is possible to have one main activity and secondary activities, as long as all are allowed in the MEI regime. DAS is calculated by the main activity (trade or service).

How to terminate MEI if you need to?

Go to gov.br/mei > MEI Low. The process is free and online. Pay off all outstanding DAS before closing, as debts remain linked to the CPF even after the write-off.

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[Simulate if the MEI is valid for your billing](/calculators/mei) — Before opening, see how much DAS represents in your monthly billing and if the formalization makes sense for you.