Print

As the Brazilian economy has stabilized over recent years so medical plans have improved and both medical and dental care in Brazil are relatively good, especially in major cities like Sao Paulo. The efficiency of the healthcare services available varies greatly according to the district concerned however. Some will tell you that treatment is rapid while others will warn you that you should expect long queues.

The state Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde, or SUS) provides a broad range of free health care services which are available to all people legally domiciled in Brazil, including foreign residents.

Should you need to see a doctor you will definitely be at an advantage if you have an additional private health plan or health insurance though. Indeed, relying on public medical treatment can sometimes turn into a nightmare, especially if you are faced with serious health problem.

One notable and very convenient difference between the Brazilian healthcare system and systems found in other countries is that you do not necessarily need to be referred by a GP in order to see a specialist.