The demand for the 'Crédito do Trabalhador' has surged dramatically since its launch, with over 40 million loan simulations recorded within just three days. From 6 AM on Friday, March 21, 2025, to 6 PM on Sunday, March 23, 2025, a staggering 40,180,384 simulations were registered through the Digital Work Card (CTPS) app. This overwhelming interest marks a significant moment for workers entitled to this new payroll loan option.
As of March 23, data from the Ministry of Labor and Employment noted that 4,501,280 loan proposals were requested and 11,032 contracts were successfully signed. The program, which aims to broaden access to payroll loans for registered workers, has quickly become a focal point for many employees seeking better financial solutions.
Launched on March 21, 2025, the 'Crédito do Trabalhador' was established by Provisional Measure No. 1.292, making payroll loans accessible to 47 million workers in Brazil, including domestic workers, rural workers, and employees of micro-entrepreneurs. Treasury Minister Fernando Haddad expressed confidence in the program's potential to reduce borrowing costs, stating, "We expect competition among banks to drive the rates down even further." Currently, the average monthly interest rates hover around 5% to 6%, but Haddad believes they could dip below 2% as stability increases in the job market.
Workers are encouraged to take their time evaluating loan offers. Minister of Labor Luiz Marinho urged employees not to rush into contracts, advising them to wait at least 24 hours to receive all proposals from various financial institutions. "The worker needs to exercise caution and take time to analyze the best offer," Marinho commented. The loan's monthly installment is capped at 35% of the worker's salary, ensuring manageable repayments.
To apply for the loan, eligible workers must use the CTPS Digital app where they can authorize access to essential personal data while adhering to the General Data Protection Law (LGPD). This enables financial institutions to present tailored credit offers. Within 24 hours of granting authorization, workers receive loan proposals that they can assess for the best option before proceeding with a contract.
Additionally, workers have the option to use up to 10% of their FGTS (Fundo de Garantia do Tempo de Serviço) balance as collateral, and in the event of a layoff, they can utilize 100% of their severance pay as security for the loan. If a worker decides not to proceed with the loan after receiving the credit, they have a seven-day window to return the amount transferred by the financial institutions.
The response to this new program has led to a significant increase in app traffic, with the CTPS Digital app seeing twelve times more access than the average weekly rate over the past three months. This spike illustrates the high demand among workers for more accessible credit options.
Looking forward, starting April 25, 2025, all banks will be permitted to offer this credit through their digital platforms, providing even broader accessibility. The government's initiative has the potential to reshape the financial landscape for millions of Brazilian workers, bringing in a wave of competitive lending practices aimed at reducing borrowing costs.
As of now, the program has established a foundation for more than 80 institutions to access worker profiles via eSocial, which centralizes labor information and facilitates the application process for these payroll loans. Data will only include necessary information like the worker's name, CPF, and available salary margin for approval.
This initiative aims to improve access to credit and provide Brazil's working class with more opportunities for financial support. The 'Crédito do Trabalhador' represents a significant step towards empowering employees with safer borrowing options and promoting economic stability.
