SUS Healthcare in Brazil: Free Public Healthcare for Expats

Brazil’s public Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) is available to all residents of Brazil. While free medical care is a big bonus for expats, private medical insurance and treatment are still popular. Public healthcare facilities in Brazil lack many English-speaking doctors and are often overcrowded.

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Are you preparing for a move to Brazil and wondering if the country’s public healthcare system offers sufficient benefits for your medical needs? Are you curious how to get medical coverage that caters to your budget and to life abroad? This guide is for you.

In this article, we will give an overview of Brazil’s healthcare system, outline how to access public care, compare the public and private sectors, offer private insurance options for expats, and more. Keep reading or use our obligation-free quote tool to start comparing insurance plans for free.

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What is SUS and How Does Brazil’s Healthcare Work?

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Brazil’s government oversees all healthcare policy, including the Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde/SUS), but the decentralized system gives each individual state government and municipality the responsibility for running the facilities and distributing care in their area.

Brazilian citizens, residents, undocumented individuals, expats, and even visitors can get free, comprehensive public care in public facilities through Brazil’s SUS scheme. This includes coverage for the following:

Primary care
Outpatient specialty care
Mental health care
Hospital care
Prescription drugs

Brazil is known for having good healthcare, but that healthcare can be difficult to access. The public system can be overrun, making it crowded and wait times long. Expats who don’t speak fluent Portuguese should also note that it can be difficult to find doctors who speak other languages.

To find out more about the quality of medical care in Brazil, check out our article on the subject.

Private Healthcare in Brazil

Private healthcare is still a popular option in Brazil, even with the country’s highly accessible SUS system. Brazil’s private sector offers high-quality care and top-notch facilities without the bottlenecks and other drawbacks you expect from the public sector.

Private insurance gives expats access to private medical care, but all private plans must meet requirements set by the National Agency for Supplementary Health (ANS). ANS is distinct from the Ministry of Health and is in charge of regulating and authorizing health insurance plans in Brazil.

ANS requirements for private insurance plans are laid out in their Rol de Procedimentos, which includes a list of over 3,000 items, from basic doctor checkups to complex cancer treatments.

Who Qualifies for SUS in Brazil

Anyone, including expats, can get free comprehensive SUS services with no premiums, surcharges, or extra service charges. Plus, expats can register for SUS coverage with no waiting period. All they need is a Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas (CPF) and a National Migratory Registry Card (CRNM).

A CPF is an 11-digit number given to all Brazilian citizens and residents to complete many everyday tasks in Brazil, like accessing healthcare, getting a phone number, or sending money.

What SUS Covers for Expats in Brazil

Public healthcare through SUS in Brazil is comprehensive, meaning expats and other Brazilian residents can fulfil most, if not all, of their healthcare needs through this system. Below is an extensive list of the benefits offered:

Blood therapy
Dental care
Dialysis
Home care
Hospitalization
Lab tests
Maternity care
Medical equipment, such as wheelchairs and hearing aids
Mental health services
Oncology services
Organ transplants
Physical therapy
Preventative services
Prescription drug coverage (for approved medications)
Surgery
Vaccinations
Vision care
Visits to specialists and general practitioners

How Expats Get SUS Coverage in Brazil

To get SUS coverage as an expat in Brazil, first get your Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas (CPF), then your National Migratory Registration Card. Once you’ve done that, you can get your National Health Card, which allows you to visit public hospitals and receive care at no cost.

Step One: Get a Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas (CPF) as an Expat in Brazil

To get your Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas (CPF) as an expat in Brazil, follow these steps:

Complete the CPF Form: Fill out the required form online and submit it. You will be given a protocol number after submission, which you should also keep on hand.
Gather the Necessary Documents: Ensure you have your valid passport, birth certificate (for parents’ information), and your completed CPF form with your protocol number.
Apply Online: Use the online consular registration to apply for your area. Upload all required documentation and set your appointment for your in-person portion of your application.
Attend Your Appointment: Attend your appointment at your Brazilian consulate. Bring original copies of all required documents.

Step Two: Get a National Migratory Registry Card (CRNM) as an Expat in Brazil

Getting a National Migratory Registry Card (CRNM) as an expat in Brazil is simple. Here’s how to do it:

Gather the Necessary Documents: Visit the Federal Police website to find what you will need for your application.
Anticipate Costs: Be prepared for the cost of receiving your CRNM; costs are outlined on the Federal Police website.
Complete the SUS Form: Fill in the form.
Make and Attend Your Appointment: Set an appointment to visit the Federal Police and collect your CRNM.

Step Three: Get a Cartão Nacional de Saúde (CNS) as an Expat in Brazil

Once you’ve gotten your CPF and CRNM, you’re ready to get your SUS card—the card that allows you to be treated at public facilities in Brazil at no charge. You can register for it at your municipal health office, at a hospital, or at a clinic.

Bring your CPF and CRNM as well as proof of residence, a birth certificate, and a marriage or divorce certificate, if applicable. Your card should be issued during your appointment.

Comparing Brazil’s Private Healthcare to Public SUS Healthcare

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Brazil’s SUS is favored for its free universal coverage, but drawbacks include few translation services, extensive waiting for care, and overcrowding at facilities. Private healthcare offers faster treatment and expat-friendly benefits like English-speaking staff, but it comes with a price tag.

Below is a brief comparison of the two systems, and you can find even more information in our article The Ultimate Overview of Healthcare in Brazil.

	Public Brazilian Healthcare (SUS)	Private Brazilian Healthcare
Access to Healthcare	The SUS system provides health for all Brazilian citizens, including foreigners. High demand and resource constraints can make accessing this care difficult.	The private system is available to anyone with the right private health insurance or who is willing to pay out of pocket for their medical care. Receiving care is easier in the private sector, with shorter wait times and higher-quality facilities.
Cost of Healthcare	SUS services are heavily subsidized and require no payment.	Private services may be paid out of pocket or via insurance claims. Costs will depend on a plan’s coverage limits and included benefits.
Quality of Healthcare	Care at public facilities is generally considered good, though insufficient resources can lower the quality of care at these facilities. Quality also varies by location, especially outside urban hubs.	Care at private facilities is consistently of high quality, featuring better technology, more personalized care, and more well-trained medical professionals than many public centers.
Services and Benefits	SUS provides primary care, emergency services, surgeries, and specialized treatments, but often with long waiting times. Elective procedures are excluded from coverage.	Private healthcare provides comprehensive services, including specialized treatments with little or no waiting times. Elective surgeries generally require out-of-pocket payment.
Where Care is Available	SUS is a government-led primary healthcare provider in Brazil, so services are available only at public institutions in Brazil.	Private healthcare operates independently from the public system; private care is available at private facilities and some public ones in Brazil as well as outside of the country (available with the proper insurance plan) wherever in-network providers are located.

Pros and Cons of SUS Public Healthcare in Brazil

Healthcare is a constitutional right in Brazil, so services are available at no cost to everyone in the country. The government has invested significantly to lower inequities in care and to try to increase the number of providers.

Below we’ve listed the reasons SUS coverage is so positive as well as its drawbacks:

Benefits of SUS Coverage in Brazil:

No cost
No waiting periods to qualify for certain types of care, such as maternity care
Generally good quality care
Many facilities available throughout the country
High vaccination rate, with large-scale programs to administration vaccines such as the COVID-19 vaccine

Negatives of SUS Coverage in Brazil:

Long wait times for care, such as to receive specialist care
Varying quality of care by location, especially in rural locations
Overcrowded facilities
Out-of-date medical equipment
Often used shared wards for recovery at hospitals
Few English-speaking doctors available

Pros and Cons of Using Private Healthcare in Brazil

Most expats, and many native Brazilians, choose to purchase private health insurance to give them access to higher-quality medical care in Brazil. While SUS offers free healthcare, many find the benefits of private options are worth the cost.

Below we’ve listed the reasons private coverage is so positive as well as its drawbacks:

Benefits of Private Coverage in Brazil:

Less or no wait time for treatment
Generally, higher quality care
More private wards at hospitals for recovery
Up-to-date medical equipment
More language accessibility, such as English-speaking doctors

Negatives of Private Coverage in Brazil:

Requires out-of-pocket payment or insurance coverage
Services covered depend on the chosen insurance plan; they may not be comprehensive
Not always are private facilities available
Those with private insurance can still visit public facilities for care

Private Insurers for Expats in Brazil—for When SUS Coverage isn’t Enough

SUS coverage isn’t the top choice for all expats, especially those seeking top-quality services. BlueCross BlueShield Global Solutions, Cigna, and VUMI are some of the top private insurers for expats in Brazil. These providers offer international coverage with bespoke, comprehensive benefits.

BlueCross BlueShield Global Solutions

BlueCross BlueShield Global Solutions (BCBS), formerly GeoBlue, is one of the best international health insurance providers on the market, particularly for American expats. The Xplorer Essential and Xplorer Premium plans feature a USD $1,000,000 and unlimited maximum benefit, respectively.

Below is a table comparing the benefits and coverage from these two plans:

BlueCross BlueShield Global Solutions Plans Coverage Comparison

	Xplorer Essential with Add-on	Xplorer Premier
Medical Maximum Benefit Amount (USD)	USD $1,000,000 (BRL 5,193,800)	Unlimited
Coverage Duration within the United States (for US Citizens)	Maximum of three trips per calendar year, 21 days per trip	Capped at nine months
Preventive Care within the USA	Not covered	Yes
Ability to Travel to the USA for Treatment	No	Yes
Outpatient Prescription Drug Coverage (USD)	USD $1,000 (BRL 5,193.80) for prescriptions only related to emergency medical care, illness, and accidental injury	USD $2,500 (BRL 1,2984.50) for Basic Benefit package, USD $25,000 (BRL 129,845) with Enhanced Prescription upgrade
Birth Control Coverage in the USA	Not covered	See the plan for the outpatient drug limit
Inpatient Mental Health Benefits within the USA	Not covered	In-network: 80%, Out-of-network: 60%
Outpatient Mental Health Benefits within the USA	Not covered	In-network: 100% after $30 copay; Out-of-network: 60%
USA Benefits for Covered Pre-existing Condition (USD)	USD $500 (BRL 2596.90)	Unlimited
Copay for each USA In-Network Physician Office Visit (USD)	USD $50 (BRL 259.69)	USD $30 (BRL 155.81)
USA Physician Network	Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO Network	Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO Network

Cigna

Cigna Global offers a vast network of 1.5 million health professionals across the globe. With 24/7 customer support workers who speak more than 50 languages, Cigna offers excellent support to expats heading to Brazil. Expats can choose between the Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Close Care plans.

Cigna Plans Coverage Comparison
	Silver	Gold	Platinum	Close Care
Medical Maximum Benefit Amount (USD)	USD $1,000,000 (BRL 5,193,800)	USD $2,000,000 (BRL 10,387,600)	Unlimited	USD $500,000 (BRL 2,596,900)
Benefits	Inpatient and day-patient care, diagnostics, mental health, and cancer treatment	Silver benefits + higher limits for inpatient and outpatient, extended mental health	Gold coverage + unlimited global inpatient/outpatient care	Core inpatient benefits, mental health, and limited evacuation
Optional Add-Ons	Outpatient, dental, vision, wellness, evacuation & repatriation	Dental, vision, wellness, evacuation & repatriation	Dental, vision, wellness, evacuation & repatriation	Dental, vision, wellness, evacuation & repatriation

VUMI

VUMI is popular with expats in Brazil and worldwide for offering full coverage for a standard private hospital room, ICU stays, medications prescribed during hospital stays, psychiatric treatments, and much more. Compare the annual benefits limits of the Global Flex VIP plan below:

VUMI Global Flex VIP Plans Annual Benefit Limits
Global Flex VIP Plan	Annual Benefit Limit (USD)
Basic	$3,000,000 (BRL 15,581,400)
Standard	$3,500,000 (BRL 18,178,300)
Superior	$4,000,000 (BRL 20,775,200)
Ultra	$4,500,000 (BRL 23,372,100)
Total	$5,000,000 (BRL 25,969,000)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can foreigners get free healthcare in Brazil?

All residents in Brazil, including expats, have access to free healthcare through the country’s public SUS system.

Is SUS in Brazil good?

Brazil’s public healthcare sector is generally considered to offer high-quality care, though quality is variable throughout the country, with rural areas being less reliable. The main issue with SUS is that actually receiving treatment can take a while.

Is healthcare in Brazil better than in the USA?

Brazilian healthcare may be considered better than healthcare in the USA because it is available to all for free, but the USA has more consistent, high-quality care (albeit extremely expensive care).

Is it cheaper to live in Brazil or the USA?

It is generally much cheaper to live in Brazil than in the United States, with expenses like rent and groceries in Brazil being well below American averages. Personal lifestyle as well as location within the country affect how much you can get for your money.

Do I need health insurance for Brazil?

Health insurance is not legally mandated in Brazil; SUS coverage is available to all as a constitutional right. Still, many choose to buy private health insurance anyway to account for the pitfalls within the public sector and to receive better, faster care.

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Conclusion

SUS is prime for expats in Brazil seeking cost-effective, comprehensive care. Not only is care free, but also expats can get care right away with a few simple registration steps. Because the public system can be overrun, however, private health insurance is still a popular alternative.

If you’re interested in exploring providers and plans for your move to Brazil, let Pacific Prime help you out. With over 25 years of experience in international insurance, our brokers can help single out the best plan for your individual budget, lifestyle, and health history.

Call us for free, no-obligation assistance at +1-800-868-1451.

SUS Healthcare in Brazil: Free Public Healthcare for Expats

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