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New debt renegotiation program targets low-income families and promises high discounts, with announcement expected after the president’s international trip, while the government tries to contain the advancement of indebtedness and expand access to more favorable credit conditions in the country.
According to the Minister of Finance, Dario Durigan, in a statement made this Monday (13), President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is expected to announce, after an official trip to Europe, a new federal debt renegotiation program aimed at Brazilian families, with discounts that can reach up to 90% of the amount owed.
Recently, the portal CPG discussed the topic, but at the time, the proposal, still in the drafting phase within the economic team, did not have a date for announcement. Now, according to the minister, the idea is to make a public presentation after the president’s return to Brazil.
The indication was made this Monday during an agenda in São Paulo, where the minister indicated that he would meet with Lula to discuss the final adjustments of the program.
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The expectation, according to him, is that the measure will be ready for announcement shortly after the international trip, which includes commitments in Spain, Germany, and Portugal between April 17 and 21, 2026.
Program Desenrola 2.0 and debt renegotiation in Brazil
The initiative, internally referred to as a new phase of the Desenrola program, arises amid the increasing indebtedness of Brazilian families and the government’s attempt to reduce financial pressure on household budgets.
The strategy also aligns with the current interest rate scenario, with the economic team advocating for more accessible conditions for consumers and small businesses.
How the new renegotiation program is expected to work
Despite the political signaling, the final format of the program has not yet been officially disclosed, and much of the information available so far comes from behind-the-scenes investigations and preliminary statements.
Among the points under analysis is the granting of significant discounts, which could reach up to 90%, depending on the type of debt and negotiation with creditors.
Another central axis involves the creation of mechanisms that prevent a return to high indebtedness.
In this context, the government is considering imposing restrictions on beneficiaries during the repayment period of renegotiated debts, such as limitations on the use of revolving credit and overdrafts, as well as possible barriers to access online betting platforms.
The financing structure is also still under discussion within the economic team.
There are studies for the use of public guarantees that reduce the risk for financial institutions, which could facilitate the participation of banks and increase the discounts offered in renegotiations.
Target audience of the program and criteria under analysis
The proposal should prioritize low-income families, especially those registered in the Unified Registry for Social Programs of the Federal Government.
Nevertheless, there are internal evaluations regarding the possibility of expanding the reach to groups with slightly higher incomes, depending on the final model adopted.
The government seeks to replicate the social logic of the original Desenrola, which focused on consumers with negative credit ratings and limited access to formal credit.
However, criteria such as income limits, types of included debts, and exact payment conditions have not yet been confirmed in an official act.
This uncertainty requires caution in interpreting details released so far, as some of the rules may undergo changes until the formal publication of the program, possibly through a provisional measure.
Indebtedness of Brazilian families reaches record level
The discussion about the new program occurs in a context of record indebtedness in the country.
In March 2026, a survey by the National Confederation of Trade in Goods, Services, and Tourism indicated that 80.4% of Brazilian families had some type of debt, the highest rate ever recorded in the historical series.
This indicator, however, represents the total number of families with financial commitments, including those with payments up to date.
Meanwhile, the share of consumers with overdue accounts stood at 29.6%, while 12.3% reported being unable to pay their overdue debts.
The data highlight the persistent pressure on household budgets, especially among lower-income groups, who face greater exposure to high interest rates and more burdensome credit modalities.
This context has been used by the government as justification to accelerate the formulation of a new renegotiation policy.
Lula’s trip to Europe precedes announcement of the program
The international agenda of President Lula includes strategic commitments with European authorities and businessmen, with stops in Barcelona, Hannover, and Lisbon.
According to the Palácio do Planalto, the trip aims to strengthen trade and institutional relations, as well as expand economic partnerships.
It is after this return that the government intends to officially present the renegotiation program, already with a clearer definition of rules, target audience, and conditions offered.
The economic team is working to align the announcement with a narrative of stimulating the financial recovery of families, at a time of challenges for domestic consumption.
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