Frequently Asked Questions

Lokal lets tourists pay with Pix in Brazil using their international card — no Brazilian bank account required.

No. Lokal is a payment technology facilitator, not a bank or currency exchange service. To provide its service, Lokal partners with regulated financial institutions.

Yes. Lokal uses state-of-the-art payment technology operated by licensed financial institutions that comply with Central Bank and international PCI-DSS security standards. Every transaction is verified, encrypted, and processed through high-reliability payment infrastructure, ensuring both safety and transparency.

Signing up for Lokal is fast and simple. Just use Sign in with Apple on iOS, or Sign in with Google on Android — you'll create your Lokal account using your existing Apple or Google account. It's the quickest and most secure way to get started.

After signing up, just start a payment in the app. When you initiate a Pix payment, you'll be asked to enter your card details or select Apple Pay — that's it. Most users complete their first payment within a minute of downloading the app.

For security reasons, new accounts have a limited amount they can pay before verification. To unlock unlimited use, submit your passport and a quick selfie — verification is usually instant.

Pix is Brazil's instant payment system. It allows anyone to pay in seconds, 24 hours a day, and it's accepted almost everywhere. More than just a way to send money between people, Pix has become Brazil's main payment method, surpassing credit and debit cards in number of transactions.

Read more about how Pix took over Brazil on our blog.

Yes. Lokal sends the Pix on your behalf, using your international card.

See our full guide on paying rent, bills, and individuals in Brazil without a CPF for more detail.

Almost everywhere in Brazil — from shops, restaurants, and hotels to taxis, delivery apps, and even street or beach vendors. Pix has become the standard way to pay in Brazil, accepted by both small merchants and major retailers.

You can pay with Pix in three easy ways, depending on how the merchant presents it:

1. Pix key: A Pix key is the recipient's banking identifier. It can be a phone number, email, tax ID (CPF/CNPJ), or a random code, all linked to the merchant's account. If the merchant displays their Pix key on a sign, receipt, or counter, you can either scan it directly with Lokal using your phone camera, or type it manually into the app. Lokal will automatically recognize the recipient, and you can enter the amount you wish to pay before confirming the transaction.

2. QR Code: Most merchants display a Pix QR Code. When you scan it with Lokal, one of two things can happen:

• QR Code with a fixed amount: The total amount and recipient information are already included. Lokal will show you the payment details — just confirm and pay.
• QR Code without an amount: Sometimes the QR only contains the Pix key but not the payment value. In this case, Lokal will automatically fill in the Pix key, and you'll manually enter the amount you wish to pay before confirming.

3. Copy and Paste ("Pix Copia e Cola"): For online stores or delivery apps, you may receive a long Pix code — also called a Pix "copy and paste" code. Simply copy the code and paste it into Lokal using the Pix link icon. It already includes all payment details — recipient and amount — so you only need to review and confirm. You may also see this called Bolepix — a newer format that replaces the traditional boleto (Brazil's old-school payment slip) with a Pix code. It's common for utility bills, subscriptions, and government payments.

Lokal accepts international credit and debit cards issued by Visa or Mastercard. Cards issued in Brazil are not accepted.

Because it includes Lokal's service fee, card processing costs, and Pix network fees. These fees are clearly displayed on the confirmation screen before you complete your payment.

Your bank or card network, such as Visa or Mastercard, may also apply international payment or currency conversion charges. We recommend checking your bank statement to understand any additional fees applied by your issuer.

Yes. You can already pay with Apple Pay on iOS. Android version does not support Google Pay today but will support it very soon.

Yes, for compliance and security reasons. The app will notify you if a limit is reached.

No. Lokal is designed for tourists and international visitors using international Visa or Mastercard cards. Brazilian-issued cards are not accepted.

You can use Lokal with merchants who accept Pix and provide a Pix key, Pix QR code or Pix copy-and-paste code. Always review the recipient and amount before confirming.

No. Pix payments are instant and irreversible. If you need a refund, please contact the merchant directly.

If you believe you've been a victim of fraud, contact contact@lokal-app.com and include any evidence of the fraudulent transaction.

If the merchant agrees to issue a refund, they will send the money back via Pix, and Lokal will automatically return the amount to your card.

Lokal only processes the payment — we have no relationship with the merchant. Once your Pix payment is confirmed, our part is done, so any issue with delivery, quality, or cancellation must be resolved directly with the merchant.

In case Lokal correctly delivered its service as payment facilitator, disputing the charge with your card issuer is an infraction of our T&Cs. The only exception is proven fraud (a transaction you didn't authorize) — contact us right away if that's the case.

Yes. You'll need to register with your name, email, and possibly an ID document.

Yes! If you signed up with Apple and chose to hide your email, Apple automatically creates a private address to protect your real one. You'll still get all Lokal emails and notifications through it — no problem at all.

To comply with KYC/AML regulations and prevent fraud.

No. Each user can only have one active account.

However, you can add and use multiple cards with your account — simply select the card you want to use on the payment confirmation screen.

Lokal uses encryption and complies with Brazil's General Data Protection Law (LGPD) as well as its own Privacy Policy.

Lokal never accesses or stores your card information — it's securely handled and stored by our payment processing partner, a global leader in card acquiring and payment security.

If your trip is over and you're not planning to come back to Brazil anytime soon, you can delete your account anytime. Just follow the steps on our account deletion page.