Healthcare in Brazil for foreigners: how the SUS works
Llandora·Updated 2026-10-14
⚠️ Disclaimer: For general information only — not tax, financial, legal, or medical advice. Figures may be outdated or incorrect; tax rules change frequently. Verify important decisions with the CRA/IRS or a qualified professional (for health topics, a licensed healthcare provider). You use this information at your own risk.
The short answer
Brazil's public health system, the SUS (Sistema Único de Saúde), is free for everyone — including foreigners and tourists. That right is written into Article 196 of Brazil's Constitution: health is a right of all and a duty of the state. Emergency care (SAMU at 192, and UPA emergency units) is available to anyone with no card or paperwork required; routine care goes through neighborhood clinics (UBS), for which you register for a Cartão SUS with your CPF and proof of address.
The SUS in one paragraph
The SUS provides free universal coverage: emergency care, hospitalizations, surgeries, vaccinations, and basic medicines at no charge to the patient, regardless of nationality or immigration status. It is funded publicly and operates through a network of UBS community clinics, UPA 24-hour emergency units, hospitals, and specialized services. Waits for non-urgent specialist care can be long — timelines vary widely by region and specialty, so plan ahead and check current local conditions, which is why many residents also carry private insurance.
Emergency care: no card needed
SAMU 192 — the national mobile emergency number (ambulances). Call 192 for urgent medical emergencies.
UPA — 24-hour emergency care units that handle urgent cases anyone can walk into, no registration required.
Public hospital emergency departments likewise treat emergencies without asking for documents first.
If you are traveling, the Ministry of Health's traveler health guidance confirms emergency care access during your stay (see Sources).
Routine care: get your Cartão SUS
For non-urgent care — checkups, prescription refills handled through the system, vaccinations — you go through a UBS (Unidade Básica de Saúde), the neighborhood primary-care clinic. To use routine services smoothly, register for the Cartão SUS (SUS card) at a UBS, bringing:
Your CPF
Proof of address (comprovante de residência)
Registration is free. The card links your records across the public system.
Private healthcare and insurance
Private hospitals and clinics operate alongside the SUS and often offer shorter waits for elective procedures, though this varies by provider and region. Private health insurance (planos de saúde) is regulated by the ANS (Agência Nacional de Saúde Suplementar), the federal agency that sets coverage rules and oversees insurers. If you buy a plan, check that the operator is registered with the ANS and read the waiting periods (carências) in the contract carefully.
Note: this guide describes how the system works — it is not medical advice. For any health concern, see a qualified professional.
Frequently asked questions
I'm just visiting as a tourist. Can I use public hospitals?
Yes. The SUS covers everyone on Brazilian territory, including tourists — emergency care in particular is open to all, no card needed.
Do I need the Cartão SUS for emergencies?
No. Emergency services (SAMU 192, UPA, hospital ERs) do not require the card. The card matters for routine, non-urgent care through the UBS network.
What documents do I need for the Cartão SUS?
Your CPF and proof of Brazilian address, presented at a UBS community clinic. Registration is free.
Sources
Brazilian Ministry of Health, "Saúde do viajante – durante sua estadia": https://www.gov.br/saude/pt-br/assuntos/saude-de-a-a-z/s/saude-do-viajante/durante-sua-estadia
Brazilian Consulate in Montreal, "Tax Payer Registry – CPF": https://www.gov.br/mre/pt-br/consulado-montreal/tax-payer-registry-cpf
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