QR Code Brazil: A Full Look Into Its Growth in the Country
“Você aceita Pix?”, meaning “Do you accept Pix?”
This phrase is echoing throughout Brazil, whether in the groceries, food trucks, gas stations, or street markets. Powered by QR codes and supported by the central bank, the instant payment (IP) system makes every transaction a breeze.
But it is not just the Pix QR code Brazil IP scheme that’s transforming how the country and its citizens do things. A sharp rise in QR code usage is also evident across retail, marketing, and public services.
How does Brazil approach QR codes, and why is it a role model for using the technology?
Keep reading to learn about the case of QR codes in Brazil and find out the best QR code generator that top companies rely on to generate high-quality codes.
Table of Contents
The state of QR codes in Brazil
QR codes in America, specifically in South American countries such as Brazil, have been part of an initiative to promote innovation and accessibility.
The growing fascination of Brazil with QR codes
Brazilian consumers started to become familiar with QR codes in 2012, thanks to a marketing stunt by Sherwin-Williams for its paint products.
When the rest of the world used the technology, mainly due to the necessity brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, Brazil was quick to act by using QR codes to trace virus-positive individuals and regulate entries in the country.
Brazil also began implementing contactless payments in Rio De Janeiro’s metro and São Paulo bus networks in 2019.
Introduction of a unified payment system
In 2020, Brazil’s Central Bank introduced a national QR code standard for seamless money transfers and instant Pix payments. The Brazil QR code payment scheme significantly changed the fintech landscape for good.
According to Renato Dias Gomes, Director of Financial System Organization and Resolution at the Central Bank, the widespread adoption of Pix in Brazil can be credited to several factors:
- standardized user experience
- mandatory participation from the country’s largest banks
- free-of-charge model
- broad range of use cases it supports, and
- timely launch during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since its launch, the QR code payments market in Brazil has already made $447.0 million and is expected to reach a revenue of $2,620.2 million by 2033. The market is projected to have a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.4% from 2025 to 2033.
Brazil is currently the world leader in digital transformation, according to PYMNTS Intelligence.
QR code usage across industries
Aside from payments, retailers use an advanced QR code generator with logo to create codes for their products, in-store promotions, and large-scale marketing campaigns.
QR codes have also become a cultural experience. In major cities like Rio de Janeiro, tourists are able to scan QR codes embedded in the iconic mosaic sidewalks to unlock historical facts and stories.
Search interest in QR codes continues to surge
People are embracing QR code technology with arms wide open in Brazil. Statista reports that QR code search interest in the country peaked in early 2023 and was almost at the same level during the peak of the summer of 2020, amidst the pandemic.
This is the consequence of several Brazilian initiatives since 2020 to help the financial and commerce sectors using the technology.
Top QR code use cases in Brazil
We’ve listed Brazil's most brilliant QR code use cases, which the rest of the world should take note of.
1. Pix QR code Brazil
Pix is Brazil’s real-time payment system, which was built and implemented by the Central Bank in 2020 to promote digitalization, security, and financial inclusion in the country. Its transactions are powered by QR codes.
This groundbreaking initiative enables anyone in the country to send or receive money instantly, any time of day, without requiring individuals to pay a fee. For businesses, it’s become a go-to payment method because it’s fast, easy, and super reliable.
According to Carlos Netto, CEO of Brazilian FinTech Matera, when users begin paying for groceries through their bank apps, it allows banks to gain deeper insights into customer behavior and unlock new opportunities to monetize those relationships.
“One thing that I believe that will work very well in the United States is the QR code,” Netto shared in his talks with John Gaffney, Chief Content Officer of PYMNTS.
2. Malwee QR code on T-shirts
Leading Brazilian clothing brand Malwee has introduced a range of functional QR code T-shirts for kids.
These QR code embedded t-shirts are useful especially when the parents and babysitters lose their children in public places.
Called the Me Encontre collection — which means “Find Me” — each piece of clothing has a QR code that, when scanned, gives access to the child’s emergency contact details.
3. Digital packaging leaflets with QR codes
In 2024, the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) approved the implementation of a pilot project for digital package leaflets in Brazil.
It includes the addition of QR codes to direct people to information that will let them know more about the medicine, such as how to use or take it through videos and text instructions.
Anvisa director Daniel Pereira opines that the proposal to implement the digital package leaflet in Brazil is an opportunity to improve the accessibility and personalization of health information.
4. Datalink QR codes
Datalink, an audio cable manufacturer, teamed up with GS1 Brazil to integrate a smart barcode technology into their products.
The company added a QR code with GS1 Digital Link technology. A quick scan directs users to product details and manuals.
It was the first commercial product in Brazil to use this advanced QR code system.
The rise of industrial applications has led to increased demand for laser marking QR code in Brazil’s manufacturing sector.
5. QR codes for plant traceability
Legado das Águas, Brazil’s largest private Atlantic Forest reserve, also partnered with GS1 Brazil on the Green Code Project to make tree tracking easier.
Each tree was tagged with a QR code that stores its ID, batch number, and exact location.
Seeds from the tagged trees are collected and taken to the Legado das Águas nursery. When the seedlings grow into plants and are ready for sale, each one gets a label with a QR code that links back to the original tree it came from.
With just one scan using a smartphone, anyone can know where the tree came from.
6. Brazil Pokémon GO QR code promotion
During the global event, the Safari Zone Porto Alegre’s initiative for Pokémon GO turned urban parks into interactive, scannable zones using QR codes.
In 2019, Niantic organized a Safari Zone in Brazil where famous Pokemon characters Relicanth, Bagon and Psyduck were featured.
The Brazil Pokémon Go QR code promotions have attracted thousands of fans to real-world scavenger hunts and Safari Zone events. The tickets for the Safari Zone event in Porto Alegre, Brazil were also shared using a QR code.
7. QR code ad campaign by Isobar Brazil
Isobar Brazil, a digital marketing company, launched a campaign that uses a smart URL QR code to deliver promotional content from McDonald’s, Burger King, and Subway.
The ad format provided offers that are personalized based on the profile, time of the day and location of the person scanning the code.
That way, they were shown the most relevant deal based on their current location and timing—usually from the stores nearest to them.
Rui Branquinho, Chief Creative Officer at Isobar, explained that advertisers will be able to modify ad content in real-time, all thanks to QR codes.
For example, if an advertiser launches an offer at 8:30 a.m. and quickly sees it losing traction to more aggressive deals from competitors, the offer can be adjusted to become more competitive.
This initiative will encourage participating brands to present more appealing offers, even if they are not the most convenient or geographically closest options for the reader.
>> Learn More: Multi URL QR Code for Business: Share All Links Easily
8. Languiru QR codes
Languiru is Brazil’s major dairy cooperative and one of the pioneers in the country for adding QR codes in products for transparency and traceability.
The QR codes are placed in all of their milk cartons including chocolate milk (Chocolan). Because of this, the dairy company was able to boost their sales by 6%.
Languiru’s journey is a great example of how to use QR codes on food packaging to enhance trust, offering instant access to product details and creating a direct line between brand and buyer.
Apart from building a strong foundation for customer relationship, QR codes on packaging are means to create successful marketing campaigns as well.
9. Mosaic QR codes
Way back 2013, officials in Rio de Janeiro installed 30 QR codes in pavements to guide tourists around the city.
The black and white codes are made with the same stones used to decorate the pavements to blend in with the traditional mosaic designs.
The codes offer tourists more information about the most visited spots such as Arpoador and Ipanema beach.
10. Sherwin-Williams QR codes
Sherwin-Williams, a paint manufacturing company with lines in Brazil, used QR codes on their paint cans for marketing purposes in 2012.
It’s a unique approach that truly distinguishes their premium paint products from their competitors, attracting only the most affluent and technologically adept consumers.
The brand placed the codes on their Premium Metalatex, Supera and Clima & Tempo lines, embedding it on paint cans, brochures and banners.
Manufacturers now laser etch QR code in Brazil onto metal and glass surfaces to ensure long-term durability and traceability.
Best QR code generator in action: Brazilian brands leading the way
Brazil’s use of QR codes highlights the practical and creative potential of this technology.
QR TIGER, the most trusted QR code software for businesses, stands out as the go-to platform for creating dynamic and secure QR codes tailored to their local needs.
Here are the top Brazilian brands that trust the platform for their needs.
Grupo Petrópolis
Grupo Petrópolis is a prominent brewing company in Brazil. They produce highly popular beer brands like Itaipava, Crystal, and Petra.
The company’s products are consumed nationwide and are very well-known to the general public.
Sebrae
Sebrae is a Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service. It is a non-profit private entity with the mission of promoting the sustainable and competitive development of small businesses.
The role of this company is to foster entrepreneurship, providing guidance to help small businesses to grow and generate more employment, helping to develop the Brazilian economy.
⚡Create three dynamic QR code campaigns for free! Sign up to our Freemium plan today. No credit card information is needed.
How to expand your business in Brazil with QR codes
QR codes are already a part of Brazilian life. But there is plenty of untapped potential. Here are some powerful ways to make the most of QR code Brazil:
1. Start using Pix QR codes immediately
Use QR codes to simplify your payment process.
Since Pix Brazil is deeply integrated with the banking applications in the country, it’s high time for your business to offer payment QR codes from mobile banking apps that support the Pix payment scheme immediately.
2. Promote time and location based deals
Use dynamic QR codes from an advanced QR code generator like QR TIGER. It offers advanced features which enables you to update information behind the code without reprinting it.
Plus, you’ll be able to pull off the same marketing gimmick as Isobar Brazil (and make it even more successful) as it offers a smart URL QR code solution that lets you set the redirection based either on time, location, device language, or geofencing.
If you own a restaurant chain, the QR code on your print ad can show lunch deals during the day and happy hour discounts in the evening. It will be a hit among your customers.
3. Drive engagement with smart product packaging
Packaging is a great place where you can add QR codes. You can link behind-the-scenes videos, sustainability information, or usage guides with the QR codes.
The success story of Brazilian brands Languiru and Sherwin-Williams can be considered as an example here.
⚠️ Brazil spoof QR code scan cases are on the rise. Learn more about this security threat and how to avoid it through this article: The QR Trap: Safeguarding Against Quishing (QR Code Phishing)
4. Simplify customer support
QR codes can be a great link between your consumers and the customer service team.
As a brand owner, you can add QR codes to your receipts, flyers, or kiosks that instantly connect customers to WhatsApp chat, FAQs, or how-to videos.
This step can streamline service and reduce the need for long explanations or calls.
5. Boost digital inclusion
Non-government organizations (NGOs), public service campaigns, or educational institutions, can use QR codes to link application forms and learning materials or direct to landing pages that do not need internet access.
This can be a step especially useful in low-bandwidth or mobile-only regions.
QR code Brazil: What to expect in 2025 and beyond
The rise of digital payments and mobile-first interactions in Brazil has made QR code technology a key search term for businesses looking to modernize customer experiences.
The QR code use cases in Brazil are still at a nascent stage. Their versatility will continue to unlock new opportunities across sectors in the country.
QR codes are shaping a more connected, responsive future. If you and your brand wish to be a part of this future, scale smarter with QR codes with the help of QR TIGER.
Visit our website and start your QR code journey with us.
FAQ
What is the QR code for Pix Brazil?
The QR code for Brazil’s Pix is a smartphone-scannable two-dimensional barcode used to make instant payments through the country’s central bank system.
The system allows users to send or receive money securely and fee-free.
Which country uses QR codes?
Countries like Brazil, China, India, Japan, and the U.S. are leading in QR code usage. QR code use cases in different countries vary from mobile payments to smart packaging to public services.
