Brazil (BR)

South America's largest country, combining major work hubs, world-famous culture, beaches, Amazon biodiversity, strong digital payments, and complex but navigable bureaucracy for expats.

Capital: Brasilia

Region: Americas

Language: Portuguese

Currency: BRL (R$)

Cost of living: Very affordable (index 35)

Emergency: 190

Healthcare in Brazil

Brazil has SUS, a universal public health system, alongside a large private health-plan and private hospital market. Expats often use private care for speed, comfort, language support and employer benefits, while SUS remains important for vaccination, emergencies and public health.

Quality varies enormously by city, hospital network and specialty. Sao Paulo has world-class private hospitals; remote/rural areas can have limited access.

Public healthcare: SUS

Sistema Unico de Saude

Eligibility:Public emergency and many SUS services are broadly available in Brazil, including to foreigners, but practical access and documentation vary locally.

Monthly cost:Funded by taxes; no monthly premium.

What's included:

Emergency care
Primary care clinics
Vaccination
Public hospitals
Maternal/child care
Public health programmes
Some medicines through SUS/Farmacia Popular

Not included (or co-pay required):

Private rooms
Fast private specialist access
Many premium medicines/devices
English-speaking private networks

Co-payments:SUS services are generally free at point of use.

How to enrol:Register locally with SUS/UBS where possible, often using CPF, proof of address and ID; emergency care does not wait for full registration.

Waiting period:No insurance waiting period, but queues can be long for non-urgent specialist care.

Private healthcare: Saude suplementar / planos de saude

Who can use it:Individuals, families and employer groups can buy private health plans subject to underwriting/age/regulatory rules.

When it makes sense:Strongly recommended for expats in major cities, families, chronic care, maternity planning, English-speaking care or employer assignments.

Monthly cost:R$400-2,500+/adult/month depending age, city, network and coverage; family plans can be much higher.

Major providers:

Bradesco SaudeSulAmericaAmilUnimedPorto Seguro SaudeNotreDame Intermedica/Hapvida

Accessing care

GP system

Private care often works through direct specialist access; family doctors exist but are less gatekeeper-based than in the UK/Canada.

Specialist referral

Many private plans allow direct booking with network specialists, but some plans require authorization for exams/procedures.

Emergency care

Call SAMU 192 for medical emergency or go to pronto-socorro/emergency department. Private hospitals may request plan card or payment guarantee.

Out of hours

Private hospital emergency departments operate 24/7. Pharmacies often have long hours; 24h pharmacies exist in big cities.

Prescriptions

Many medicines require prescription; controlled medicines have stricter Brazilian prescription forms and import rules.

Dental

Dental is often separate from medical plans and commonly paid privately or through dental insurance.

Mental health

Private psychologists/psychiatrists are available in major cities; SUS mental health includes CAPS services but availability varies.

Maternity

Private maternity care is common among expats, but waiting periods/exclusions in health plans matter; clarify before pregnancy.

Expat-specific advice

First steps on arrival:

Arrange private/international cover before arrival or immediately after employer onboarding.
Identify nearest private emergency hospital and SUS emergency option.
Register CPF and local address where needed for health plan paperwork.
Bring prescriptions with generic names and Portuguese translation if possible.

Finding English-speaking doctors:Easiest in Sao Paulo, Rio, Brasilia and international clinics. Ask embassies, expat groups, international schools and private hospitals.

International insurance:Useful for evacuation, regional travel, pre-existing conditions and avoiding Brazilian plan waiting periods.

Emergency card info:Carry insurance details, allergies, blood type if known, Portuguese emergency contact and passport/CRNM copy.

Pharmacies (Farmacia / drogaria)

Hours:Long hours in cities; 24-hour pharmacies common in major neighbourhoods.

After-hours / emergency:Use hospital emergency departments for serious conditions; pharmacies are not urgent-care clinics.

Prescription rules:Antibiotics and controlled medicines require prescriptions. Controlled medicines from abroad can create customs/legal risk if not documented.

Available over-the-counter:

Paracetamol
Ibuprofen
Antihistamines
Oral rehydration salts
Mosquito repellents
Sunscreen

Typical costs

GP visit (with insurance)	R$0–80 coparticipação (copay) with plano de saúde; free for covered consultas in some network plans
GP visit (private pay)	R$200-600
Specialist visit	R$300-900+
Emergency visit	Private emergency visit can be R$500-3,000+ before exams/procedures
MRI scan	R$800–2,000 private; covered under plano de saúde with prior authorisation
Prescription average	Highly variable; generic medicines often affordable
Dental check-up	R$150-400
Baby delivery	Private maternity package can be expensive; plan coverage/waiting periods are critical

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