Healthcare in Brazil for Foreigners: How the System Works

Healthcare in Brazil for Foreigners: How the System Works

Brazil has a public healthcare system, private hospitals, private clinics, travel insurance products and regulated health plans. Understanding the difference between them is essential for foreigners who intend to study, work or live in the country.

A tourist with a short-term emergency, an international student needing routine care and a professional relocating with a family may need very different forms of coverage.

This guide explains how SUS, UBS units, UPA emergency facilities, hospitals, private care, insurance, prescriptions and pharmacies work in Brazil.

TL;DR

Foreign nationals in Brazil may access the public healthcare system, known as SUS, regardless of nationality.

The main options are:

• UBS or local health unit: routine care, vaccination, prevention and ongoing primary healthcare.
• UPA 24h: urgent conditions that require prompt evaluation but do not necessarily require a specialized hospital.
• SAMU 192: severe medical emergencies requiring evaluation or an ambulance.
• Public hospital: complex emergencies, specialized treatment, surgery and hospitalization, usually according to local referral rules.
• Private clinic or hospital: paid directly by the patient, through travel insurance or through a health plan.
• Travel insurance: temporary protection under the limits and conditions of the policy.
• Brazilian health plan: regulated private coverage with a defined network, geographic area, waiting periods and contractual rules.

Bring identification, proof of address, insurance information, prescriptions and a list of medications whenever possible. However, a lack of documents should not prevent access to essential public healthcare.

Final verdict: relying on SUS for emergencies is possible, but foreigners staying for several months should also understand their local primary-care unit and evaluate whether travel insurance or a Brazilian health plan is appropriate. Travelling without checking medication, coverage and emergency arrangements is Not recommended.

Can foreigners use SUS?

Yes. SUS stands for Sistema Único de Saúde, Brazil’s Unified Health System.

The principle of universal access covers people present in Brazil, including foreign nationals. Government guidance for migrants states that access to public healthcare does not depend on nationality and should not be denied merely because a migrant does not have identification documents at that moment.

Public healthcare services include:

• Primary care
• Vaccination
• Emergency assistance
• Urgent care
• Hospital treatment
• Maternity care
• Infectious-disease programs
• Certain medications
• Mental healthcare
• Rehabilitation
• Public-health monitoring

Access does not mean that every patient can go directly to any hospital and immediately obtain any non-emergency procedure. SUS is organized as a network, with different facilities responsible for different levels of care.

Start with the correct service whenever the situation allows.

How the Brazilian healthcare network is organized

The correct destination depends on the symptoms, urgency, local network and medical assessment.

UBS: where to seek routine care

UBS stands for Unidade Básica de Saúde. Some cities use names such as health center, municipal health unit or family health unit.

A UBS is generally the correct starting point for non-emergency care, including:

• Routine medical consultations
• Nursing consultations
• Vaccination
• Prenatal care
• Family planning
• Blood-pressure and diabetes monitoring
• Dressings and basic procedures
• Preventive examinations
• Referrals to specialists
• Monitoring of chronic conditions
• Certain medicines distributed through SUS

Primary-care units usually serve residents of a defined geographic area. You may need to register according to your home address.

Bring, when available:

• Passport
• RNM or CRNM
• CPF
• Proof of address
• Cartão Nacional de Saúde number
• Vaccination record
• Previous medical reports
• List of current medications

Official Ministry of Health guidance allows documents such as a passport, RNM, CRNM and refugee protocol to be used in healthcare registration for migrants. Requirements and registration procedures can still vary by municipality.

Recommended: identify the UBS responsible for your address shortly after moving.

Not recommended: use an emergency facility for routine prescription renewals or chronic-condition monitoring when primary care is available.

What is the Cartão Nacional de Saúde?

The Cartão Nacional de Saúde, or CNS, is the registration used to identify patients in SUS systems.

The number helps connect information such as:

• Public consultations
• Vaccination records
• Examinations
• Hospital procedures
• Prescribed or distributed medications
• Referrals

The Ministry of Health states that a CNS registration can be requested at a healthcare facility in the municipality where the person lives. Foreign residents should bring their available identity documents and proof of address.

Having the number can simplify administrative procedures, but essential care should not be refused solely because a foreign patient has not yet obtained a card.

Some records may be available through Meu SUS Digital, depending on the patient’s registration and Gov.br account.

UPA 24h: when the condition is urgent

A UPA is a 24-hour urgent-care facility positioned between primary care and hospital emergency departments.

According to the Ministry of Health’s UPA guidance, these facilities handle intermediate-complexity cases and operate continuously.

Examples that may justify seeking a UPA include:

• High fever with concerning symptoms
• Significant breathing difficulty
• Severe or persistent pain
• Suspected fracture
• Serious vomiting or dehydration
• Sudden worsening of an existing condition
• Cuts requiring urgent treatment
• Hypertensive crisis
• Acute allergic reactions
• Symptoms requiring prompt medical assessment

Patients are assessed according to clinical risk rather than simply by arrival order. Someone who arrives later with a life-threatening condition may be treated first.

The UPA may:

• Examine and stabilize the patient
• Provide medication
• Perform available tests
• Keep the patient under observation
• Discharge the patient with instructions
• Transfer the patient to a hospital

A UPA does not replace routine care or every type of hospital specialist.

SAMU 192: medical emergencies and ambulances

SAMU is the Serviço de Atendimento Móvel de Urgência. The number is 192.

Call SAMU when there may be an immediate risk to life or when the patient cannot safely travel without medical assistance.

Examples may include:

• Loss of consciousness
• Suspected heart attack
• Signs of stroke
• Severe breathing difficulty
• Seizures
• Serious burns
• Major trauma
• Severe bleeding
• Complications during labor
• Suspected poisoning
• Sudden serious deterioration

The call is evaluated by a trained team. Depending on the situation, the service may provide telephone instructions, dispatch an ambulance or direct the caller to another facility.

When calling, be prepared to provide:

• Exact address
• Nearby landmark
• Telephone number
• Patient’s approximate age
• Main symptoms
• Whether the patient is conscious and breathing
• Information about risks at the scene

The official Urgency and Emergency Care Network integrates SAMU, primary care, UPA units and hospitals.

Do not call an ambulance merely because private transport is inconvenient.

Other emergency numbers

Keep these numbers saved:

Local civil-defense, poison-control and municipal health contacts vary by city.

If you do not speak Portuguese, ask a Portuguese-speaking colleague, university representative, employer, neighbor or building employee for help when possible. Do not delay an emergency call while looking for perfect translation.

Public hospitals

Public hospitals provide complex and specialized care, including:

• Trauma treatment
• Surgery
• Intensive care
• Hospitalization
• Maternity services
• Specialist procedures
• Cancer treatment
• Teaching-hospital services

Except in emergencies, access may depend on a referral from primary care, a specialist, an emergency facility or the municipal regulation system.

Going directly to a public hospital is not always the fastest route for a non-emergency condition. The hospital may direct the patient to a UBS or UPA.

Teaching hospitals may be part of SUS even when associated with a federal, state or private university.

Private clinics and hospitals

Foreigners may use private healthcare by paying directly or presenting accepted insurance or health-plan coverage.

Private services may offer:

• Faster scheduled appointments
• English-speaking professionals in some locations
• Direct access to certain specialists
• Private rooms
• A specific hospital network
• Easier scheduling of elective tests

However, private treatment can be expensive, especially when it involves emergency care, surgery, intensive care or hospitalization.

Before receiving non-emergency private treatment, ask for:

• Consultation price
• Estimated test costs
• Hospital and professional fees
• Whether the facility accepts your insurance
• Whether authorization is required
• Whether payment is due in advance
• Whether reimbursement documents will be provided

A hospital accepting one product from an insurer does not mean it accepts every policy or plan issued by that company.

Travel insurance is not the same as a health plan

Travel insurance is designed for a defined journey and operates according to the coverage, limits and exclusions in the policy.

Brazil’s insurance regulator, SUSEP, explains that travel medical coverage can reimburse covered medical, hospital or dental expenses arising from accidents or sudden acute illness during the trip.

A policy may include:

• Emergency medical expenses
• Hospital expenses
• Emergency dental care
• Medical transfer
• Repatriation
• Assistance services
• Coverage related to specific travel events

However, travel insurance may impose:

• Maximum reimbursement limits
• Deductibles
• Exclusions for pre-existing conditions
• Restrictions on routine care
• Prior-authorization requirements
• A requirement to contact the assistance center first
• Limits on medications or outpatient treatment
• A fixed coverage period

Read the official SUSEP guidance on travel insurance and your complete policy.

Do not assume that presenting an insurance card means the hospital will bill the insurer directly. Some policies require the patient to pay first and request reimbursement later.

Brazilian health plans

Brazilian private health plans are regulated by the Agência Nacional de Saúde Suplementar, known as ANS.

Plans vary according to:

• Geographic coverage
• Hospital and clinic network
• Outpatient coverage
• Hospital coverage
• Obstetric coverage
• Dental coverage
• Private or shared hospital room
• Copayments
• Reimbursement
• Waiting periods
• Contract type

A plan described as “national” may have a different network from a regional plan. Always check which hospitals, laboratories and physicians are included.

The ANS coverage guidance explains that mandatory coverage depends on the plan’s healthcare segment.

Waiting periods

A newly contracted plan may apply waiting periods.

The ANS publishes the applicable rules on its waiting-period information page. Urgency and emergency coverage has specific rules, and the extent of that coverage may depend on the plan’s segment.

For example, an outpatient-only plan does not provide the same hospitalization protection as a hospital plan.

Before signing, ask:

• When does the contract become active?
• Is there a waiting period for emergencies?
• Is hospitalization included?
• Which hospitals can be used?
• Are pre-existing conditions subject to temporary restrictions?
• Does the plan cover the cities where you will travel?
• Is there a copayment?
• How does reimbursement work?
• Are dependents eligible?
• Which documents are required from a foreign applicant?

The ANS offers an official health-plan comparison tool.

Travel insurance or a Brazilian health plan?

There is no universally correct option. The decision depends on length of stay, health history, budget, city, employer or university requirements and the contractual conditions.

Medical prescriptions in Brazil

Brazilian pharmacies sell some medicines without a prescription, while others require a standard prescription, retention of the prescription or a special controlled-substance form.

Do not assume that a medicine available without a prescription in another country can be purchased under the same conditions in Brazil.

Prescription categories can include:

• Ordinary medical prescription
• Prescription retained by the pharmacy
• Special controlled prescription
• Specific notification forms
• Valid electronic prescription meeting Brazilian requirements

Prescriptions issued in Brazil have national validity, subject to the applicable medication rules. The Anvisa guidance on national prescription validity explains the general rule.

Will a foreign prescription be accepted?

Do not rely on a prescription issued abroad for purchasing medication in Brazil.

A pharmacy may be unable to accept it, especially when the product:

• Is a controlled substance
• Requires prescription retention
• Is an antibiotic
• Uses a prescription format regulated by Anvisa
• Has a different classification in Brazil
• Is not authorized for sale in the country

The practical approach is to bring your prescription and medical report, then obtain an evaluation from a physician authorized to prescribe in Brazil.

Bring documents containing:

• Diagnosis or medical indication
• Generic or active ingredient name
• Dose
• Frequency
• Treatment duration
• Relevant allergies
• Prescriber’s information

A commercial brand used in your country may have another name in Brazil.

Antibiotics and medicines requiring retention

Antibiotics are not ordinary over-the-counter medicines in Brazil. Pharmacies must follow prescription and registration rules.

Certain other products also require retention of the prescription. Since June 2025, for example, pharmacies have been required to retain prescriptions for specified GLP-1 medicines.

Rules, covered substances and prescription validity can change. Confirm them through Anvisa’s medication portal or with a licensed Brazilian pharmacist.

Not recommended: purchase antibiotics, weight-loss medicines or controlled substances from an informal seller.

Controlled medications

Controlled medicines may include certain:

• Psychiatric medications
• Stimulants
• Sedatives
• Opioids
• Anabolic substances
• Retinoids
• Other substances listed by Anvisa

Brazil uses specific prescription forms and controls for these products. Anvisa maintains an updated list of substances subject to special control.

In 2026, Anvisa introduced updated physical prescription models through the National Prescription Control System. Patients should follow the currently valid form and dispensing period.

If you use a controlled medicine:

1. 1.Check whether the active ingredient is controlled in Brazil.
2. 2.Bring a medical report and original prescription.
3. 3.Keep the medicine in its original packaging.
4. 4.Carry only an amount compatible with personal treatment.
5. 5.Review Anvisa’s travel or import requirements.
6. 6.Arrange a Brazilian medical consultation before the supply ends.

Never request a second person to transport controlled medication without confirming the rules.

Bringing medication into Brazil

Travellers may carry medication for personal treatment, but controlled products require additional attention.

Keep with you:

• Original packaging
• Prescription
• Medical report
• Active ingredient name
• Dose and treatment instructions
• Documents explaining the amount transported
• Certified translation when necessary for understanding or a specific procedure

Anvisa publishes guidance about the importation of controlled products for personal use.

Do not transfer medication into an unlabelled container for international travel.

If the medicine contains substances derived from cannabis, narcotics, psychotropics or another specially controlled category, check the exact Anvisa procedure before travelling.

Buying medicine safely

Use licensed pharmacies and drogarias.

Before purchasing:

• Show the prescription when required.
• Confirm the active ingredient.
• Check the dose and concentration.
• Inspect the expiry date.
• Ask whether the medicine requires refrigeration.
• Request the receipt.
• Read the leaflet.
• Confirm how to store it.
• Do not replace the medication without professional guidance.

Generic medicines approved in Brazil contain the same active ingredient and must meet regulatory requirements, but the correct substitution should still respect the prescription and the pharmacist’s instructions.

Avoid medicines sold through social media, informal messaging groups, street vendors or unverified websites.

Vaccination

SUS provides vaccines according to Brazil’s national immunization program.

A local health unit can review your vaccination history and explain which vaccines are available or recommended for your age, health condition and location.

Bring your vaccination record, even if it was issued abroad. The health unit may need to interpret the vaccine name, manufacturer and dates.

International travel rules and the vaccines recommended for personal health are not necessarily the same. Check the official Ministry of Health traveller-health guidance before travelling.

Language barriers during medical care

English-speaking medical care is more common in some private hospitals, international clinics and large cities, but it is not guaranteed.

Prepare a short health summary in Portuguese containing:

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Emergency contact
• Blood type, if known
• Allergies
• Chronic conditions
• Current medications
• Previous surgeries
• Pregnancy information, when applicable
• Insurance or health-plan details

Useful terms include:

Translation applications can help with basic communication but should not replace a professional interpreter for complex consent, surgery or serious diagnoses.

Healthcare in Curitiba

Foreigners living in Curitiba should identify the municipal health unit responsible for their address and the nearest UPA.

Curitiba distinguishes between:

• Municipal health units for routine and preventive care
• UPAs for urgent cases
• SAMU for medical emergencies
• SIATE or Fire Department response for certain accidents and rescue situations
• Hospitals for complex or referred care

The city provides practical guidance on when to use a health unit, UPA, SAMU or SIATE.

If you are moving for medical treatment, choose accommodation according to the exact clinic or hospital rather than the general neighborhood name.

Consider:

• Travel time
• Return journey after procedures
• Elevator access
• Building entrance
• Availability of a kitchen
• Space for a companion
• Pharmacy and supermarket access
• Transport at night
• Parking, when required

Shortstay offers furnished apartments in Curitiba for monthly stays. Availability, accessibility and included services vary by property, so each unit should be checked individually.

Health checklist before arriving in Brazil

Before travelling:

1. 1.Review your travel insurance or health-plan coverage.
2. 2.Save the assistance and emergency numbers.
3. 3.Check whether direct billing or reimbursement applies.
4. 4.Bring medical reports and prescriptions.
5. 5.Write down the generic names of your medications.
6. 6.Confirm whether any medicine is controlled in Brazil.
7. 7.Carry medicines in their original packaging.
8. 8.Bring your vaccination record.
9. 9.Prepare a health summary in Portuguese.
10. 10.Identify hospitals accepted by your insurance.
11. 11.Check the nearest public health facilities.
12. 12.Keep digital copies of important documents.
13. 13.Inform a trusted contact about serious medical conditions.
14. 14.Do not place all essential medication in checked luggage.

What to do during your first week

After arriving:

• Locate the nearest UBS or municipal health unit.
• Locate the nearest UPA.
• Save 192, 193 and 190.
• Confirm the closest 24-hour pharmacy.
• Check whether your insurer’s network is active locally.
• Review the process for requesting reimbursement.
• Arrange a medical consultation before long-term medication runs out.
• Request a CNS registration when appropriate.
• Keep identification and emergency information accessible.
• Confirm how to reach medical care at night.

Common mistakes

Assuming SUS is only for Brazilian citizens

Foreign nationals in Brazil may access SUS. Nationality alone should not prevent care.

Using a UPA for routine care

UPAs prioritize urgent cases. Routine monitoring should generally begin in primary care.

Assuming travel insurance pays the hospital directly

Some policies require prior contact, authorization or reimbursement after payment.

Choosing a health plan only by monthly price

Network, geographic coverage, waiting periods, hospitalization and copayments can be more important than the advertised price.

Bringing only the brand name of a medicine

Brand names vary between countries. Bring the active ingredient and dosage.

Waiting until medication runs out

A foreign prescription may not be sufficient for purchasing the medicine in Brazil.

Buying controlled medicine informally

Informal sales can involve counterfeit products, incorrect storage, fraud and legal problems.

Going directly to a specialist public hospital for routine care

Non-emergency access may require a referral through the SUS network.

Frequently asked questions

Can a tourist use SUS in Brazil? Yes. Foreign nationals may receive public healthcare in Brazil. The correct facility depends on whether the situation is routine, urgent or an emergency.

Do I need a CPF to receive emergency treatment? Essential care should not be delayed solely because a foreign patient lacks a CPF. Bring your passport or other identification when available.

What is the difference between UBS and UPA? A UBS provides routine and preventive primary care. A UPA provides 24-hour care for urgent conditions of intermediate complexity.

When should I call SAMU? Call 192 when there may be a serious medical emergency or when the patient cannot be transported safely without medical assistance.

Is SUS completely free? SUS services do not charge the patient directly at the point of public care. This does not mean that every medicine, treatment or service requested is automatically available without referral or clinical criteria.

Does travel insurance replace a Brazilian health plan? Not necessarily. Travel insurance is temporary and follows policy limits and exclusions. A Brazilian health plan provides contracted coverage through a defined network and may apply waiting periods.

Can a foreigner purchase a Brazilian health plan? Eligibility and required documents depend on the operator and contract. Operators commonly request Brazilian registration data such as CPF, CNS and address information.

Can I use a prescription from my country? Do not assume it will be accepted, particularly for antibiotics, controlled substances and medicines requiring prescription retention. Arrange a Brazilian medical evaluation.

Can I bring my regular medication into Brazil? Usually, medication for personal treatment can be transported with appropriate documentation, but controlled substances require additional verification. Check the Anvisa rules before travelling.

Are generic medicines available in Brazil? Yes. Licensed pharmacies sell generic medicines approved by Anvisa. Confirm the active ingredient, strength and correct substitution with the pharmacist or prescriber.

Can I get vaccinated through SUS? Foreign residents may seek vaccination services through the public network. Availability follows the national program and local procedures.

Will doctors speak English? Some will, particularly in large private hospitals, but English-speaking service is not guaranteed. Prepare your medical information in Portuguese.

Final verdict

Foreigners in Brazil can access SUS, including primary, urgent and emergency care. The correct entry point depends on the situation:

• Use a UBS for routine and preventive care.
• Use a UPA for urgent conditions requiring prompt assessment.
• Call SAMU on 192 for serious medical emergencies.
• Use hospitals for complex, referred or emergency care.
• Review private-care costs before treatment.
• Read every travel insurance or health-plan condition.
• Arrange Brazilian prescriptions before essential medication runs out.
• Check Anvisa rules for controlled medicines.

Using official services, carrying organized medical information and understanding the difference between public healthcare, travel insurance and Brazilian health plans is Recommended.

Travelling without checking coverage, relying on an overseas prescription for controlled medication or purchasing medicine informally is Not recommended.

Related guides

• How to Get a CPF in Brazil as a Foreigner
• Documents Required to Rent in Brazil as a Foreigner
• Cost of Living in Brazil for International Students
• Living in Curitiba: A Practical Guide for New Residents
• Safety in Curitiba for Foreigners
• Portuguese in Brazil: A Survival Guide for Foreigners
• How to Rent an Apartment in Brazil Before You Arrive