Brazil Credit Card Revolving Interest Calculator
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Brazilian revolving credit-card debt is the most expensive mainstream credit line in the world’s major economies: the Central Bank put the average at 15.02% per month in July 2026 — 436.2% per year. This calculator shows what an unpaid bill becomes, adds the IOF financial-transactions tax, applies the statutory cap from Law 14,690/2023 that prevents the debt from more than doubling, and compares the cost with converting the bill into an installment plan.
Why Brazilian revolving credit costs so much
If a cardholder does not settle the full statement by the due date, the remaining balance automatically becomes a credit operation — "crédito rotativo" — priced at the highest rate in the Brazilian financial system. No signature, no application, no negotiation.
Central Bank figures: in July 2026 revolving credit averaged 15.02% per month (436.2% annually) and invoice installment plans 9.26% per month (189.3% annually); in the June 2026 survey, overdraft ran around 7.6% per month and non-payroll personal loans 7.08% per month. Payroll-deducted loans for social-security beneficiaries are legally capped at 1.85% per month.
The pricing reflects an unsecured, automatically granted line used disproportionately by borrowers already in distress. But compounding does the rest: R$1,000 left unpaid would reach R$5,423.28 in twelve months if nothing limited the charge.
Two rules that limit the damage
The first is a duration limit. Under CMN Resolution 4,549/2017, a balance may stay in revolving credit only until the next statement falls due — roughly 30 days. After that the issuer must move the remaining balance into an installment line on terms demonstrably better than the revolving rate. In practice most issuers offer, and often default to, an invoice installment plan.
The second, and far more powerful, is the 100% cap. Since January 3, 2024, Law 14,690/2023 provides that total interest and financial charges on revolving credit and on invoice installment plans may not exceed the original amount of the debt. A R$1,000 unpaid bill can therefore never be charged more than R$2,000, no matter how much time passes. CMN Resolution 5,112/2023 implemented the rule, defining "original amount of the debt" and creating a portability mechanism that lets a cardholder move the balance to a cheaper lender.
At the 2026 average rate, the cap starts binding in month five: the uncapped balance would be R$2,038.85 at month 5 and R$5,456.60 at month 12, but the enforceable amount stops at R$2,000 in both cases.
| Month | Interest only | With IOF, uncapped | With the legal cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | R$1,151.30 | R$1,157.56 | R$1,157.56 |
| 3 | R$1,526.04 | R$1,537.22 | R$1,537.22 |
| 5 | R$2,022.75 | R$2,038.85 | R$2,000.00 |
| 6 | R$2,328.79 | R$2,347.35 | R$2,000.00 |
| 12 | R$5,423.28 | R$5,456.60 | R$2,000.00 |
Revolving versus an installment plan
Converting the bill into an installment plan at 9.26% per month is still expensive by any international standard, but it beats revolving credit at every horizon. On a R$1,000 balance, three months of revolving credit costs R$1,532.85 against R$1,201.84 on the installment plan — a R$331.01 difference. Over six months the gap widens to R$633.54.
At twelve months the apparent saving narrows to R$263.76, but only because the legal cap has already frozen the revolving balance at R$2,000. The installment plan still wins, and unlike revolving credit it actually clears the debt rather than freezing it. Installment plans are covered by the same 100% cap.
Getting out
Escaping revolving debt in Brazil means swapping an expensive line for a cheaper one, and the spreads are enormous. Card-debt portability, created by Law 14,690/2023, lets the borrower take the outstanding balance to another institution that settles it at a lower rate — a free statutory right the current issuer cannot block.
Anyone eligible for consignado payroll lending has an even better option: 1.80% to 1.99% per month against 15.02%. Secured loans against property, vehicles or invested assets are similarly cheaper. Direct renegotiation is worth trying too — issuers routinely discount accrued interest on overdue balances, and the lump-sum settlement figure should always be requested before accepting a long installment plan.
The federal Desenrola debt-relief program returned in 2026 for individuals earning up to five minimum wages, with discounts reaching 90% and the option of applying FGTS severance balances; enrollment was extended to August 31, 2026, so check the official site for the current window.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Brazilian credit-card revolving interest rate in 2026?
The Central Bank average for July 2026 was 15.02% per month, equivalent to 436.2% per year — the highest of all credit lines it tracks. Individual cards vary; the applicable rate is disclosed on the statement.
Can Brazilian card debt really not more than double?
Correct. Since January 3, 2024, Law 14,690/2023 caps total interest and charges on revolving credit and invoice installment plans at 100% of the original debt. An unpaid R$1,000 bill can never be charged above R$2,000. Charges beyond that are unlawful and can be reported to the Central Bank and consumer-protection agencies.
How long can a balance stay in revolving credit?
About 30 days — one statement cycle. CMN Resolution 4,549/2017 requires issuers to move any remaining balance into an installment line on better terms once the following statement falls due.
Does paying the minimum solve the problem?
Only partially. Paying 15% of a R$1,000 bill cuts the revolving balance to R$850, but interest keeps compounding on the rest: after three months the debt reaches R$1,306.64. The minimum payment avoids formal default and credit-bureau listing, not the snowball.
Sources
- Banco Central — Série SGS 25477 (juros do rotativo do cartão, PF)
- Banco Central — Série SGS 25478 (juros do parcelamento da fatura)
- Lei nº 14.690/2023 — Teto de 100% para juros e encargos do rotativo
- Resolução CMN nº 4.549/2017 — Limite de 30 dias no rotativo
- Decreto nº 12.499/2025 — IOF sobre operações de crédito
Mathematical estimate using compound interest at the rate entered, a simplified IOF charge (0.38% fixed plus 0.0082% per day, applied once to the opening balance) and the 100% cap from Law 14,690/2023. In practice IOF is levied each time a balance is refinanced, and issuers apply their own minimum-payment, late-fee and default-charge rules. Rates vary by issuer and change monthly. Informational only — not credit advice or legal guidance.
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Also available in Portuguese: Calculadora de Juros do Rotativo do Cartão