The Brazilian real was established in 1994 as an official national currency and is used only in Brazil. It replaced the previously valid cruzeiro real. 1 Real is devided into 100 Centavos. As of April 2019, the real was the twentieth most traded currency . [1] Currencies in use before the current real include: The Portuguese real from the 16th to 18th centuries, with 1,000 réis called the milréis. The old Brazilian real from 1747 to 1942, with 1,000 réis also called the milréis. This guide covers all you’ll need to know about the official currency in Brazil, where to get it and how to keep your costs down during your trip. What is the currency in Brazil? The official currency in Brazil is the Brazilian Real , which is issued and overseen by the Central Bank of Brazil. What is the Brazilian Currency? Brazil’s official currency is the Real , or Brazilian Real in its full name. The Real’s symbol is R$, a mesmerizing blend of an “R” with a “$”, not only signifies the currency but also reflects Brazil’s rich heritage and its aspirations on the global stage.