After a few years since its launch, many people may no longer realize just how transformative Pix has been for everyday life in Brazil and for the country’s economy.
Since 2020, the instant payment solution developed by the Central Bank of Brazil has helped bring over 70 million Brazilians into the financial system, according to O Globo. At the same time, cash usage dropped by 40%, according to InvestNews.
The behavioral shift brought by Pix has also transformed how Brazilian merchants operate. As early as 2023, CNN reported that all 59 of Brazil’s largest e-commerce platforms had fully adopted Pix as a payment method.
With this level of consolidation and global recognition, what’s the next frontier for Pix innovation?
In just a few years, Pix has made speed and convenience the norm for Brazilian consumers. But when Brazilians travel abroad, they often don’t experience the same ease.
For international merchants, integrating International Pix into their payment infrastructure is a strategic move—especially when targeting Brazilian shoppers.
International Pix works just like regular Pix but adds real-time currency conversion for purchases made outside of Brazil.
International Pix is another innovative solution from PagBrasil, benefiting both business growth and customer experience.
In this article, you’ll find market insights about Brazilian consumers abroad, and a deep dive into our international instant payment solution.
Brazilian Tourists Abroad: A Growing Market Opportunity
In 2024, Brazil registered 24.9 million international air passengers. This represents a 17.23% increase compared to 2023, according to news portal G1.
From a spending perspective, the Central Bank of Brazil reported that Brazilian travelers spent $14.8 billion on international trips in 2024.
Let’s look at some of the top destinations for Brazilian tourists:
- According to VisitPortugal data published by the Portuguese outlet Público in November 2024, two Brazilian tourists land in Portugal every minute. TravelBI also reported that the average stay for Brazilian travelers in Portugal exceeds 18 days.
- Spain has also seen record numbers. CNN shared that in 2023, over 460,000 Brazilian tourists visited Spain between January and September alone. This represents a 32% increase over all of 2022. G1 highlighted Spain as the second most visited country in the world, just behind France.
- In Latin America, Brazilian tourism plays a key role in neighboring economies. In 2023, Argentina welcomed over 750,000 Brazilians between January and July, according to Folha.
- In Uruguay, government is driving efforts to attract Brazilian tourists. As reported by Portal Brasileiro do Turismo in 2025, Cristian Pos, the country’s National Director of Tourism, stated: “Today, around 500,000 Brazilians travel to Uruguay annually, but we believe this number can grow significantly.”
- With attractions like the UNESCO World Heritage site Machu Picchu, Peru registered a 41% increase in Brazilian visitors from 2023 to 2024, as reported by Revista Hotéis.
- Paraguay is also a strategic destination for Brazilians due to its proximity to urban centers and cross-border tourism. According to the 2024 edition of Foz do Iguaçu’s Tourist Demand Survey Report (Relatório de Pesquisa de Demanda Turística de Foz do Iguaçu), Brazilians spend an average of R$1,875.30 on shopping when visiting Ciudad del Este — just across the border from Paraná, Brazil.
Why Should Merchants in Brazilian Tourist Hotspots Embrace International Pix?
Brazilians traveling abroad often face several payment hurdles. According to PagBrasil, using international credit cards incurs high fees, with surcharges ranging from 10% to 12%. These costs are driven by taxes such as Brazil’s Financial Operations Tax (Imposto sobre Operações Financeiras – IOF) of 3.38% and unfavorable exchange rates.
A 2023 study cross-border remittances lacked transparency, leading to hidden fees that drained an estimated $134.4 million USD from Brazilian consumers in a single year.
For travelers who choose to carry cash, there are additional risks, like unpredictable spending and the insecurity of handling large amounts of physical currency, not mentioning the 1,1% IOF rate over the amount.
That’s where International Pix becomes a powerful loyalty tool for merchants targeting Brazilian customers.
As global tourism recovers and surpasses pre-COVID levels, there’s a clear opportunity for merchants to reduce friction in cross-border purchases for Brazilian shoppers.
Introducing PagBrasil’s International Pix
International Pix offers the same speed and ease as domestic Pix, with real-time currency conversion during the transaction.
At checkout, the shopper indicates they want to pay with Pix. The merchant then enters the amount in the local currency, generating a QR Code for payment.
Using their own banking app, the shopper scans the QR Code, reviews the purchase details (including the final amount in Brazilian reais) and confirms the payment.
PagBrasil processes the transaction and settles the amount into the merchant’s local account.
So, what value does International Pix truly offer your business?
According to Brazil’s Central Bank, Pix is the most widely used payment method among Brazilians. Integrating International Pix into your payment stack gives your business direct access to this fast-growing consumer base.
From the customer’s point of view, having International Pix as a payment option while abroad sends a clear message: the merchant cares about offering a frictionless and familiar experience.
Merchants may experience a noticeable boost in revenue. By offering a more affordable and convenient payment method, Brazilian tourists are more likely to feel comfortable making purchases. As a result, overall transaction volume tends to increase. Eliminating the high fees and bureaucracy associated with other payment methods can further encourage higher spending from this audience.
International Pix can also help increase average order value. Unlike credit cards, which often have preset spending limits that can restrict purchase amounts, International Pix is tied directly to the available balance in the shopper’s checking or investment account. This gives higher-income travelers the flexibility to make larger purchases without being constrained by credit limits.
Meet the Strategic Partners Powering International Pix
Expanding Pix to global markets involves overcoming technical, regulatory, and operational challenges, including integration with local financial systems and compliance with rules set by Brazil’s Central Bank and country-specific regulatory frameworks.
PagBrasil was the first to tackle these challenges, building strong local partnerships and conducting in-depth research on each target market to offer International Pix.
In Europe, PagBrasil partners with WiPay, PayByrd, and Eupago. In Latin America, the company works with Bancard, Plexo, Getnet, B89, and Ligo.
In an interview with Portugal’s Público, Telmo Santos, CEO of the Portuguese fintech Eupago, said:
‘The major advantage is providing the real-time conversion rate (from euros to reais) at the exact moment of purchase, ensuring full price transparency with no surprises on the bank statement.'”
On PagBrasil’s PBtalks podcast (available only in spanish), Amparo Nalvarte, CEO of Peruvian fintech B89, noted that Brazil ranks as Peru’s third-largest source of tourists. She added:
“On average, each tourist spends around $900 during their trip, which is often influenced by the payment methods available. With International Pix, our goal [in Peru] is to boost spending, which significantly helps our economy, as tourism is one of its key drivers.”
PagBrasil: Your Strategic Payments Partner in the Global Market
At PagBrasil, we aim to set the standard when it comes to payment solutions for merchants and e-commerce businesses.
We think beyond borders and build technologies that reflect today’s consumer behavior, in which speed, transparency, and diverse payment options are not just appreciated but expected.
International Pix is a clear example of this innovation, enabling:
- International merchants to increase revenue by offering the most popular payment method among Brazilians.
- Businesses to deliver a seamless and localized experience for Brazilian tourists.
- Brazilian consumers can shop abroad with transparency, security, and lower costs, without the stress of dealing with foreign currencies
PagBrasil is committed to delivering tailored support. That means we take the time to understand your business needs and help you find the best ways to optimize your payment operations.
I invite you to connect with the PagBrasil team and explore how our solutions can drive your success as a global merchant.
