Expatriate insurance in Brazil
We've put together some advice to help you prepare for your move to Brazil and get the most out of your daily life here.
Are you planning to move to Brazil? Rio de Janeiro is Brazil’s metropolis par excellence, with a population of around 6.5 million. Many expatriate communities (Portuguese, Spanish, Americans, Germans, Canadians) live here. We’ve put together some tips to help you prepare for your move to Brazil and get the most out of your daily life here. The health system is renowned for its high quality. However, the cost of private healthcare in international facilities can be very high. That’s why we strongly recommend that you take out international health insurance for expatriates before you leave, to protect yourself against risks.
Expatriate insurance Brazil Gold Nomad Expat
Our policy with good levels of cover, suitable for your expatriation to Brazil.
From
74€
- Worldwide coverage
- Maximum age: 65
- Covers up to 100% of routine medical care
- 100% hospitalization coverage
- Up to €500,000 per year
- Maternity coverage up to €4,500
- Covers pre-existing conditions
- Coverage of pharmaceutical costs
- Repatriation assistance
- Civil liability
- Individual protection
Expatriate Insurance Brazil Gold Expat Access
Economical international health insurance tailored to your expatriation plans.
From
93€
- Worldwide coverage
- Minimum age: 14
- Maximum age: 65
- Covers 80% of routine medical care
- 100% hospitalization coverage
- Up to €750,000 per year
- Maternity coverage up to €4,500
- Coverage of assisted reproduction up to €500
- Covers pre-existing conditions
- Coverage of pharmaceutical costs
- Free choice of practitioners and hospitals abroad
- Optional dental and optical care
- Optional repatriation assistance
- Optional third-party liability
Expatriate insurance Brazil Gold Expat Safe
Health insurance with a good cover/price ratio. It offers effective cover against accident and illness.
From
107€
- Worldwide coverage
- Minimum age: 14
- Maximum age: 65
- Covers 90% of common medicine
- 100% hospitalization coverage
- Up to €1,000,000 per year
- Maternity coverage up to €4,500
- Coverage of assisted reproduction up to €1,000
- Covers pre-existing conditions
- Coverage of pharmaceutical costs
- Optional dental and optical care
- Maternity plus option
- Prevention and well-being as an option
- Optional repatriation assistance
- Optional third-party liability
Expatriate insurance Brazil Gold Expat Premium
Our most comprehensive expatriate health insurance plan in Brazil.
From
138€
- Worldwide coverage
- Minimum age: 14
- Maximum age: 65
- Covers up to 100% of routine medical care
- 100% hospitalization coverage
- Up to €1,500,000 per year
- Maternity coverage up to €6,000
- Coverage of assisted reproduction up to €1,500
- Covers pre-existing conditions
- Coverage of pharmaceutical costs
- Optional dental and optical care
- Maternity plus option
- Prevention and well-being as an option
- Optional repatriation assistance
- Optional third-party liability
Any questions? Need advice?
Schooling in Brazil
The Brazilian school system is divided into four levels.
- Up to the age of 6, children are educated in crèches through what is known as “infant education”.
- They then follow a “basic education” from age 6 to 14.
- Enseignement moyen” corresponds to the lycée level in France, from age 15 to 18. It ends with the ENEM, the Brazilian equivalent of the French baccalauréat.
- Entrance to university is by competitive examination, known as “Vestibular”.
5 establishments with a French program are listed by the French Embassy in Brazil. The high schools in Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo are under agreement with the AEFE (Agence pour l’enseignement français à l’étranger).
As an indication, tuition at the Lycée Français de Rio de Janeiro is €9240/year up to CM2. These prices rise to €9560/year from 3rd to 12th grade.
If you wish to pursue university studies in Brazil, there are a number of formalities to be completed. In particular, you’ll need a good command of Portuguese. Your language level will have to be certified by a test called “Celpe-Bras”. You will also need to take the Vestibular (entrance exams) for the university concerned.
Whether you register directly with a Brazilian university, or take part in a study exchange, you’ll need a visa and student health insurance for Brazil.
Accommodation in Brazil
A few characteristics are generally observable when renting accommodation in Brazil. Leases are generally signed for 30 months for unfurnished properties and 6 to 12 months for furnished properties. The deposit costs a minimum of one month’s rent, and someone you know will also have to act as guarantor. Service charges may or may not be included in the rent, so be sure to ask your landlord or agent.
The various charges that can be added to the rent are as follows:
- IPTU (Imposto sobre a propriedade predial e territorial urbana) or property tax
- The Condominio, a co-ownership tax that finances common areas. It is higher in new or gated residences.
- Running costs: water, gas, electricity.
- Telephone, internet, television
- Furniture: be sure to calculate your installation costs before opting for unfurnished accommodation.
To find your accommodation, opt for word-of-mouth or direct contact if you’re already in the area. Alternatively, the Internet and real estate agencies are at your disposal.
Good to know: in Brazil, you only pay real estate agents if they find your home.
Hygiene and eating habits in Brazil
No hygiene problems in restaurants or stores. But avoid food bought in markets. Tap water is not drinkable. Prefer locally-branded bottled water: Caxambu, Sao Laurenco, Petromolis, Minalba, Indaia, Lindoya, Santa Monica, Santa Clara, Serra Branca, Santa Claudia, Minagua…