Brasilia moved swiftly this week. On June 24, Brazil’s Ministry of Entrepreneurship outlined plans to widen assistance for the country’s vast army of microentrepreneurs. The measures, set for formal announcement in the coming days, target gig workers, delivery drivers, rideshare operators and tiny business owners who operate under the simplified MEI regime.
More than 16 million formalized MEIs already exist across the country. The government wants to make life easier for them. Proposals include lifting the income ceiling that determines eligibility for benefits, opening avenues for tax-debt renegotiation and broadening participation in public-sector purchasing programs. Details on the exact new ceiling remain under wraps. Yet Finance Minister Dario Durigan signaled last week that the threshold could climb to about 130,000 reais by 2028, from the current 81,000 reais.
The timing feels deliberate. Brazil’s economy continues to rely heavily on these small operators. They fill streets with motorcycle couriers, populate online marketplaces and keep neighborhood shops alive. Formalization through the MEI category has long served as the entry point. It offers reduced bureaucracy, subsidized social-security contributions and exemption from certain income taxes. Yet many still struggle with debt, limited credit and barriers to larger contracts.
One pillar of the new package focuses on regularizing debts. MEIs listed in federal active debt registers often find themselves blocked from operating legally or accessing benefits. Clearing those obstacles could bring thousands back into full compliance. Another element expands the existing Contrata + Brasil initiative. That program already connects small firms to government buyers. Officials now plan to enlarge the network of participating entities, giving microentrepreneurs a bigger slice of public procurement.
These steps build on years of incremental reform. The MEI framework itself dates back more than a decade. Successive administrations have tweaked contribution levels and eligibility rules. Yet the scale of the current informal economy suggests more work lies ahead. Millions still operate entirely outside the system, drawn by the promise of immediate cash but exposed to future penalties and without retirement protections.
Private markets have taken notice too. On February 10, 2026, Norwegian software giant Visma announced its acquisition of MaisMei, the largest private platform serving Brazilian microentrepreneurs. Founded in 2020 in Florianópolis, MaisMei has grown to 3.7 million customers. Its mobile-first application handles fiscal compliance, tax filing, accounting and basic business management. The deal follows Visma’s 2025 purchase of Conta Azul, a cloud-based ERP system aimed at slightly larger small businesses. Together they create a progression path. A microentrepreneur can start with simple compliance tools and graduate to more sophisticated financial systems as the venture expands. Visma described the combination as a way to support entrepreneurs “from the business creation stage through the transition toward” enterprise resource planning.
“MaisMei has done a remarkable job decoding Brazil’s complex regulatory landscape for the mass market,” said Merete Hverven, CEO of Visma. “But this is about more than just compliance; it is about creating a launchpad for Brazil’s largest segment – entrepreneurs.” Mateus Vincente, CEO and co-founder of MaisMei, echoed the sentiment. “This is a pivotal moment for our company and for the millions of entrepreneurs who depend on us to navigate complexity, pursue new opportunities and grow stronger businesses.”
Microentrepreneurs already represent 58 percent of all businesses in Brazil. Projections suggest the segment could reach 25 million participants by 2028. That growth carries both opportunity and risk. Greater formalization brings tax revenue and social protections. It also raises questions about fiscal cost. In early June, Planning and Budget Minister Bruno Moretti told Valor International that raising the MEI revenue cap could generate an annual revenue loss of around 2 billion reais once phased in starting in 2027.
The government appears willing to absorb that hit in exchange for broader economic participation. And the private sector’s involvement adds momentum. Digital tools lower the cost of compliance. They reduce errors in monthly declarations. They even help users track sales trends and manage cash flow. Yet technology alone cannot solve every barrier. Access to affordable credit remains patchy. Many MEIs rely on high-interest loans or family savings. Public procurement, while promising, often involves slow payment cycles that strain tiny operations.
So the new measures aim at multiple fronts at once. Debt regularization removes immediate legal threats. Higher income limits let successful operators stay within the simplified regime longer. Expanded government purchasing creates demand. Taken together, officials hope these changes will encourage more informal workers to formalize and help existing MEIs scale.
Critics may argue the plan lacks ambition. The income ceiling adjustment, after all, was already floated by the finance minister. Concrete numbers for the new benefit threshold have not yet appeared. Implementation details for the Contrata + Brasil expansion also stay vague. Still, the announcement signals continued official focus on the bottom of the pyramid. In a country where unemployment and underemployment linger as concerns, supporting micro-scale activity offers a pragmatic lever.
Recent industrial initiatives point in a similar direction. In February 2026 the government launched a national expansion of an energy-efficiency program targeting micro, small and medium enterprises. That effort, backed by an initial 75 million reais for audits, shows authorities recognize the need to help smaller players adopt better practices. Mitigation Action Facility covered the launch.
Broader economic context matters. Brazil continues to face external pressures, including tariff threats from the United States that prompted the separate Brasil Soberano Plan last year. That package focused on exporters. The latest microentrepreneur push feels more domestic. It addresses the daily reality of millions who drive the service economy, deliver packages and sell goods on street corners or through digital platforms.
Success will hinge on execution. Ministries must coordinate so that debt relief reaches the right people quickly. Procurement officers need training to simplify bidding for tiny suppliers. Digital platforms like MaisMei can help, yet adoption among the least sophisticated users remains a challenge. And fiscal authorities will watch the revenue impact closely. A 2-billion-real annual hole may seem manageable now. Larger expansions could test budget discipline later.
For now, the signal is clear. Brazilian policymakers want to keep the MEI engine running. They recognize its role in job creation, social inclusion and gradual formalization. Private capital is betting the same way. Visma’s move into the space underscores confidence that technology can profitably serve this massive base while preparing firms for growth. The coming weeks will reveal exactly how far the new measures go. Entrepreneurs will be watching. So will investors looking for the next wave of Brazilian consumer and small-business growth.
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