Brazil’s National Social Security Institute (INSS) has established, through Ordinance DTI/DIRBEN/INSS No. 156/2026 published on 6 May 2026, a new digital system called INSS Empresa, which enters into force on 15 May 2026. The system creates an official channel through which companies can remotely and centrally consult information on the leaves of absence and social security benefits of their employees.
For Spanish companies with subsidiaries, branches or locally hired staff in Brazil, this regulatory development has direct implications for personnel management, regulatory compliance and the administration of employee absences. In a labour market as regulated and formalised as Brazil’s, having up-to-date information on the status of employee benefits is not simply a matter of internal efficiency: it is a compliance element that can affect judicial and administrative proceedings linked to social security.
What the INSS Empresa system enables
The new system allows companies to access directly, without the need for in-person visits or intermediaries, data related to the social security benefits of their employees. Information available for consultation includes the type of benefit, the dates of application, granting, commencement and termination, as well as the updated status at the time of the query.
Until now, obtaining this type of information required resorting to indirect channels, with the delays, lack of traceability and risk of error that this entails. The centralisation introduced by INSS Empresa is an objective step forward in terms of transparency and access to information. However, the real benefit for each company depends on how that information is integrated into internal personnel management and leave tracking processes, something that is not resolved simply by activating access to the system.
How to access the system
Access is provided through the gov.br platform, using a digital certificate linked to the company’s CNPJ taxpayer identification number. The holder of the legal entity’s digital certificate may delegate access to third parties, who must authenticate via CPF and password, with a minimum reliability level of silver or gold within the gov.br system.
This access structure means that companies must have both their digital certificate and the access levels of those responsible for HR or labour relations in order. For Spanish companies that manage their Brazilian operations from headquarters or through a small local team, correctly defining who has access and at what level of authorisation is an essential preliminary step before 15 May.
What this development requires your company to review
The entry into force of INSS Empresa is an opportunity for companies with employees in Brazil to review the state of their leave management processes and their level of social security compliance. Some of the questions worth analysing before the system goes live include whether the company holds a valid digital certificate associated with its CNPJ, whether internal leave tracking processes are documented and up to date, whether there is a clear protocol for incorporating system information into personnel files, and whether there are ongoing judicial or administrative proceedings that may be affected or assisted by access to this new official information.
Managing these aspects correctly from the first day the system is available not only avoids incidents: it can have a direct impact on labour dispute management and on the company’s relationship with Brazilian social security authorities.
The broader context: operating in Brazil requires specialist support
Brazil is one of the most complex regulatory environments in the world when it comes to labour law and social security. Legislation evolves frequently, administrative procedures are demanding, and the consequences of non-compliance can be significant both in economic and reputational terms. For Spanish companies operating in the country, having a team that monitors regulatory changes and advises on their practical implementation is not a luxury: it is an operational necessity.
INSS Empresa is a clear example of how a seemingly technical regulatory development can have real practical consequences if not managed correctly from the outset.
At Feliu N&I, we support Spanish companies in managing their operations in Brazil and across Latin America, including labour and social security compliance, local personnel management and adaptation to the country’s regulatory changes. If your company has employees in Brazil or is considering establishing itself in the Brazilian market, we can help you ensure that your operational structure meets the requirements currently in force.
Contact us for a personalised consultation.
