Brazil Extends Debt Renegotiation Programs to Support Small Businesses

The Brazilian government has extended and launched new initiatives to assist micro and small businesses in restructuring and managing their debts with favorable terms in 2026. The Desenrola Brasil program, popularly known as Desenrola 2.0, has been extended for an additional 60 days, allowing families and small businesses to renegotiate debts until early September. This extension was authorized by Senate President Davi Alcolumbre and published officially on October 23.

So far, micro and small enterprises have renegotiated R$ 15.7 billion in debts through over 121,000 formal operations. Pronampe, the National Support Program for Micro and Small Enterprises, facilitated 95,000 renegotiation operations totaling R$ 14.6 billion. Meanwhile, the ProCred360 platform recorded 26,200 requests amounting to R$ 1.1 billion in renegotiations.

The ProCred360 program has also introduced more favorable financing terms: micro-entrepreneurs and small businesses can now extend their grace periods from 12 to 24 months and increase the maximum operation period to 96 months. Furthermore, the credit ceiling has risen to 50% of annual revenue, up to R$ 180,000, with women-led businesses eligible for up to 60% of their total revenue. Pronampe increased the maximum credit limit from R$ 250,000 to R$ 500,000 while maintaining existing grace period and payment delay conditions.

In addition, the government launched the Desenrola MEI program through Edital nº 6/2026 by the Procuradoria-Geral da Fazenda Nacional (PGFN) specifically to aid Microempreendedores Individuais (MEIs). This program offers unprecedented conditions such as discounts of up to 70% on interest, fines, and legal charges, with extended payment plans lasting up to 145 months. MEIs can renegotiate debts registered in the Dívida Ativa da União or those with suspended CNPJs due to tax issues.

The digital process, accessible via the Regularize portal, simplifies debt checking and renegotiation. A simplified rule also provides guaranteed 50% discounts and payment plans up to 60 months for debts under R$ 20,000 active for over a year, with a minimum payment of R$ 25 monthly. Upon joining and paying the first installment, MEIs’ debt status is suspended, allowing the issuance of a positive certificate and preventing protests against their businesses.

Rodrigo Soares, president of Sebrae, highlighted that lower interest rates, stable inflation, and GDP growth create favorable conditions for these programs, helping small businesses create jobs and opportunities. He emphasized the importance of entrepreneurs using financial planning tools when renegotiating debts to ensure sustainable recovery and growth.