Installments in Brazil: Why Brazilians Pay in 10x
Paulo Wesley·
·3 min read
In Brazil, paying for purchases in installments on a credit card is the norm, not the exception. According to Abecs, the Brazilian card industry association, interest-free installments (parcelado sem juros) accounted for 41.2% of credit card purchases in the first quarter of 2025, and nearly 43% in the annual figures. For sellers this means one thing: if you do not offer installments, you are losing sales, especially above a few hundred reais.
Why installments are so strong in Brazil
The habit comes from decades of high inflation and expensive credit. Splitting a payment into fixed, interest-free installments became the way to fit purchases into the monthly budget. Brazilian consumers think about the installment amount as much as the total price: "does it fit in my month?" is the question.
Abecs data for the first quarter of 2025 shows the profile: among installment purchases, 63.4% were split into up to 6 payments, 35% into 7 to 12, and only 1.6% into more than 12. In other words, up to 12 installments covers practically everything.
The two types of installments
| Interest-free (merchant) | With interest (issuer) | |
|---|---|---|
| Who offers it | The store | The bank that issued the card |
| Interest for the customer | None | Yes, set by the bank |
| How the store is paid | One part per month (or early, for a fee) | Full amount, like a single payment |
| Use | The retail standard | Less common, more expensive for the customer |
When people say "12x sem juros" (12 interest-free payments), they mean the merchant model: the store agrees to receive monthly installments in exchange for selling more.
Who pays the bill
With interest-free installments, the money arrives gradually. A sale of 10 x R$ 100 becomes 10 monthly receipts. If the store needs the money sooner, it can anticipate receivables, paying a fee to the acquirer or processor.
So "interest-free" has a cost, and it must be built into the price. In practice, companies do one of three things:
- Build the average installment cost into everyone's price.
- Limit the number of interest-free installments (for example, up to 6) and charge interest above that.
- Give a discount for Pix or one-time payment ("10% off with Pix") and keep the full price for installments.
The third is very common and works well: whoever pays upfront gets a discount, whoever needs installments uses them. See how to build your price table in how to price in Brazilian reais.
How to show installment prices
Presentation matters a lot:
- Highlight the installment: "12x R$ 49.75 interest-free" right below (or next to) the total price.
- Be clear about interest. Hiding interest causes complaints and may violate the Consumer Defense Code.
- Show the Pix discount: "or R$ 537.30 with Pix (10% off)".
- Repeat it on the checkout page, with a simple selector for the number of installments.
For high-ticket products such as courses, annual software plans and electronics, the installment is often the main selling point.
Installments for foreign companies
Without a company in Brazil, you cannot sign up with a local acquirer directly, but you can offer installments through processors that serve foreign sellers and accept Brazilian cards. When comparing, ask:
- how many installments the processor supports;
- who bears the installment cost and what the fee is;
- whether your payout is in installments or in full;
- whether early payout is available and what it costs.
Read also the most used online payment methods in Brazil and can you sell in Brazil without a local company?.
What about Pix installments?
Banks and fintechs now offer "Pix parcelado" (Pix in installments): the customer pays the bank in installments, and the seller receives the full amount instantly, like a regular Pix. For the merchant it is a one-time payment. The credit is between the customer and their bank. Learn more in how to sell in Brazil with Pix.
Summary
Installments are part of how Brazilians buy. Offering up to 12 payments, showing the installment clearly and giving a discount for Pix is the combination most used by online retailers. Put the cost of installments into your pricing and choose a processor that accepts Brazilian cards in installments. If you want help setting your price and installment policy, talk to BrazilDoor.
Frequently asked questions
What is "parcelado sem juros"?
It is when the store splits a credit card purchase into equal monthly installments without charging the customer interest. The store is paid gradually or receives early by paying a fee.
How many installments do Brazilians usually choose?
According to Abecs, in the first quarter of 2025, 63.4% of installment purchases were in up to 6 payments and 35% in 7 to 12. More than 12 installments is rare.
Who pays the cost of interest-free installments?
The store. It receives the amount in installments or pays a fee to receive early. That is why the cost is usually built into the price or offset by a discount for Pix payments.
Can a foreign company offer installments in Brazil?
Yes, using payment processors that accept Brazilian cards and offer installments to foreign sellers.
Sources
About the author
Business consultant with a degree in Accounting, MBA in Finance (UFRJ) and certified financial market analyst. Since 2014 he has helped companies from more than 10 countries understand and enter the Brazilian market.
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