Cadastur: Brazil's tourism registry, explained for hotels

What is Cadastur?

Cadastur is Brazil's official and free registry of tourism providers, maintained by the Ministry of Tourism. For accommodations — hotels, pousadas, resorts, hostels, vacation rentals — it serves as a formal, current, centralized record. Once registered, your property becomes visible on official channels, you comply with the law, and you unlock access to financing programs, qualification initiatives, and partnerships with travel agencies.

Is Cadastur mandatory for pousadas?

Yes. Brazil's Law 11.771/2008 (General Tourism Law) requires every accommodation to register with Cadastur. It's also a prerequisite as of April 2026 for FNRH Digital — the mandatory electronic reporting of guest data to the Ministry. According to the Ministry of Tourism, Cadastur spans 19,231 accommodations — yet only 3,406 had adopted FNRH Digital by April 2026. That means 8 out of every 10 formal accommodations remain outside digital compliance.

How do I register step by step?

1. Visit the official Cadastur portal.
2. Create an account with CPF/CNPJ or log in with gov.br.
3. Confirm that your main CNPJ activity is "accommodations" or equivalent (check with your accountant).
4. Fill in property details: name, address, phone, email, number of units (rooms/suites).
5. Describe services and amenities (Wi-Fi, pool, restaurant, etc.).
6. Review and submit for approval.
7. Track status on the portal — approval usually arrives within days.

Confirm with your accountant the CNAE codes you need if you operate more than one accommodation type (resort vs. vacation rental require separate registrations).

How much does it cost and how long does it take?

Cadastur is completely free — no application fee, renewal fee, or maintenance cost. The approval timeline varies by Ministry queue: you track progress directly on the portal and receive email notifications. What typically causes delays is incomplete information or incorrect CNPJ activity — so it's worth double-checking everything with your accountant before submission.

What does my property gain from active Cadastur registration?

Three main benefits:

1. Access to official credit lines and funding tenders
Government tourism financing and qualification programs often require active Cadastur — check current programs in your region with your bank or local tourism board.

2. Listing in official channels
Your property enters Ministry directories and search engines, raising visibility with travel agencies, tour operators, and tourists consulting official registries.

3. Credibility with partners
Travel agencies, distribution platforms, and tourism insurers often require active Cadastur as a prerequisite. It signals properly regulated operations.

How do I keep my registration valid?

1. Update information regularly — address, phone, or services changes. Log into the portal and update.
2. Watch your expiration date — the portal shows when your certificate expires.
3. Renew in advance — don't let it lapse; renewal is fast and free, but expired = out of compliance.
4. Keep your CNPJ active — if your CNPJ is suspended or cancelled, Cadastur loses validity automatically.

Checklist: compliance in 5 steps

1. Confirm with your accountant that your CNPJ lists "accommodations" as an activity.
2. Visit Cadastur and log in with gov.br.
3. Fill in: general information, services, amenities.
4. Submit and track approval in the status panel.
5. Note the expiration date and set a 30-day reminder to renew.

Once registered in Cadastur, your property opens doors to official credit, grows in visibility, and stands ready for FNRH Digital. But the real operational gain: guests arrive without queues, data stays organized, and reviews climb. ViaHotel's AI concierge automates FNRH-compliant pre-check-in, secure data collection, and export — live in 10 minutes, starting at $7/month. Start your free 14-day trial, no card required.