You had an idea, started offering a service, or simply want to step out of the informal economy and start issuing invoices. Then someone told you: "just open a MEI." But suddenly your stomach drops: Do you need to hire an accountant? Is it complicated? Are there any hidden catches? The short answer is: no, no, and no. You can open a MEI from your phone, for free, in under 15 minutes, without leaving home and without hiring anyone.
This guide was made exactly for that: to take you from zero to a CNPJ in hand, walking you through every step. No legal jargon, no tables full of unexplained codes. Just the most direct path forward.
What Is a MEI and Why It's Worth Opening One
MEI stands for Microempreendedor Individual, or Individual Micro-Entrepreneur. It's a business category created specifically for self-employed workers who earn up to R$81,000 per year (roughly R$6,750 per month). Hairdressers, rideshare drivers, freelance designers, home bakers, electricians, nail technicians, housecleaners, podcasters with income — they can all qualify.
The biggest advantage is that with a MEI, you get a CNPJ (business tax ID), can issue invoices, open a business bank account, access better credit terms, and are covered by the INSS — which means you're entitled to retirement benefits, disability pay, and maternity pay. All of this for a monthly fee that currently runs between R$70 and R$76, depending on your line of work. For anyone working independently without these protections, it's a game changer.
One important thing to know: MEI doesn't work for every profession. Doctors, lawyers, engineers, and other fields regulated by professional councils cannot open a MEI. But the list of allowed activities is long — over 600 options — and covers the vast majority of everyday occupations. You'll be able to check this during the registration process.
Before You Start: What You'll Need on Hand
You don't need to scan or upload any physical documents. But you'll want a few pieces of information ready so you don't get stuck halfway through. Have the following ready before you open the website:
- Your CPF and date of birth
- Your voter registration card or the receipt number from your last income tax return (used to verify your identity in the government system)
- Your full address, including ZIP code, to use as your MEI's registered address (your home address works fine)
- The activity code for what you do, known as a CNAE. Don't worry — the system helps you find it by searching your profession by name
- An active email address and phone number
If you don't already have a Gov.br account, you'll need to create one first. Gov.br is the federal government's identity portal — think of it as a single login that gives you access to a wide range of public services. The account is free and can be set up right from your phone.
Step by Step: Opening Your MEI From Your Phone
The entire process takes place on the official government website. The address is www.gov.br/mei. Avoid any other site that pops up on Google promising to "make opening a MEI easy," because many of them charge for a service that's completely free — and some are outright scams. The only official place is gov.br.
- Go to gov.br/mei in your phone's browser. Chrome, Safari, or any other browser will work. The site is mobile-friendly and runs smoothly.
- Tap "Quero ser MEI" (I want to be a MEI). The button is easy to spot on the homepage.
- Log in with your Gov.br account. If you don't have one yet, tap "Crie sua conta" (Create your account) and follow the steps. You'll need your CPF and one of the following to confirm your identity: your voter registration card, your last income tax receipt number, or facial recognition through your phone.
- Fill in your personal information. Name, address, contact details. Most of it may already be pre-filled if your government profile is up to date.
- Choose your activity. Type what you do into the search field — for example: "hairdresser," "driver," "web development," "sales." The system will show matching options with their CNAE codes. Pick the one that best fits. You can select more than one activity, but one of them will be your primary.
- Enter your business address. Your home address is perfectly fine. Go ahead and use it.
- Review everything and tap "Concluir" (Finish).
That's it. Your CNPJ appears within seconds. The system also generates your CCMEI — the Certificate of Individual Micro-Entrepreneur Status. Save it as a PDF or take a screenshot: it serves as proof that you're a registered MEI and is commonly requested by banks, for contracts, and in bidding processes.
Now That You're Open: What You Can't Forget
Opening a MEI is easy. The part many people neglect is what comes after. There's nothing overly complicated about it, but there are monthly and annual obligations that, if ignored, can result in fines or even suspension of your CNPJ.
The Monthly Payment (DAS-MEI)
Every month you need to pay the DAS-MEI — the Simples Nacional collection document. This payment covers your INSS contribution and, depending on your activity, either ISS (municipal services tax) or ICMS (state commerce tax). The amount ranges from R$70 to R$76 per month. You can generate the payment slip directly through the MEI Fácil app or on gov.br/mei under the "Já sou MEI" (I'm already a MEI) section. Paying late results in fines and interest, so it's worth setting a recurring reminder on your phone for the 20th of each month.
The Annual Declaration (DASN-SIMEI)
Once a year, by May 31st, you need to declare how much you earned the previous year. This declaration is called the DASN-SIMEI, and it's straightforward: you enter your total income and the system checks whether everything is in order. You don't need an accountant to do this. If you had no revenue during the period, just declare zero. What you absolutely cannot do is skip it.
Monthly Revenue Log
Technically, MEI holders are supposed to fill out a monthly report showing how much they earned that month. In practice, a lot of people skip this at the beginning. But it's a good habit to build, because when it's time to file your annual declaration, you'll need to know your total — and without keeping track, that gets messy fast. A simple Google Sheets spreadsheet or even a notebook will do the job.
Apps That Make Life Easier as a MEI
There's a whole ecosystem of free and paid apps designed to simplify life for MEI holders. Some are genuinely worth it.
The MEI Fácil app (available on Android and iOS) is one of the most popular. With it, you can generate your DAS payment slip, check your CNPJ status, file your annual declaration, and receive reminders. It's free for the basic features. Another option is the gov.br website itself, which works well in your phone's browser without needing to install anything.
For issuing invoices, the process varies from city to city because each municipality has its own NFS-e (Electronic Services Invoice) system. You'll need to register on your city's official website. Some cities are already integrated with the national system through gov.br, which makes things much easier. If your business involves selling physical products, the invoice type is different and depends on your state.
Conta Azul Me, Nibo, and GestãoClick are examples of paid platforms that help you track finances, issue invoices, and keep everything organized in one place. They become worthwhile as your business grows and manual management starts to feel like a bottleneck. In the beginning, managing everything on your phone is more than enough.
Questions Everyone Asks Before Opening a MEI
Do I need an accountant to open a MEI?
No. The process is 100% digital, free, and can be completed on your phone without any professional help. An accountant only makes sense if you're unsure which activity to choose, or if your business grows and you need to move to a different tax regime.
Will opening a MEI affect my INSS benefits or BPC?
It might. If you receive the BPC (Benefício de Prestação Continuada — the government assistance benefit for low-income elderly people and people with disabilities), opening a MEI could be incompatible with that benefit. Check with the INSS before you proceed.
Can I have a MEI and be a full-time employee at the same time?
Yes, you can. There's no legal barrier to doing both. Your MEI's INSS contributions will be separate from the INSS deducted from your paycheck, but you'll be covered by both.
What happens if I don't pay my DAS for several months?
Your CNPJ can be suspended and eventually cancelled. On top of that, fines and interest accumulate. If that happens, it's possible to get back in good standing through the gov.br website, but it's a lot more hassle than simply keeping up with payments from the start.
Your Next Step
If you've made it this far, you already have everything you need. The whole process takes less time than watching an episode of your favorite show. Grab your CPF, voter registration card, and address, open your phone's browser, go to www.gov.br/mei, and get started right now. Your CNPJ is issued instantly. Invoicing, INSS coverage, a business bank account, and much more — all of it becomes available to you the moment you tap finish. No accountant needed, no fee to open, no one else required. Just about 15 free minutes.
