X-Ray Cost in Brazil
What you actually pay on SUS, with a plano de saúde, and particular at popular clinics and premium laboratories. Last reviewed October 2026.
Short answer: how much does an X-ray cost in Brazil?
On SUS an X-ray ordered by a doctor is free, for Brazilians and visitors alike. Paying privately (particular), a chest X-ray costs from about R$50 at popular diagnostic clinics, around R$70–150 at mid-range labs and up to roughly R$300 at premium laboratory chains — about $10–60. If you have a plano de saúde with outpatient cover, X-rays are included and ANS rules require the plan to offer the exam within 10 business days.
Quick Overview
Brazil's Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) is a universal, tax-funded system that is free at the point of use for anyone in the country. Access usually starts at a Unidade Básica de Saúde (UBS); emergencies go to a UPA or hospital emergency room. About a quarter of Brazilians also hold a private health plan (plano de saúde), regulated by the Agência Nacional de Saúde Suplementar (ANS). Private prices vary enormously: popular clinics sell digital X-rays for around R$50, while premium laboratory brands in São Paulo charge several times more for the same exam. In 2025–2026 the federal Agora Tem Especialistas programme has been buying exams, including imaging, from private and philanthropic providers to shorten SUS waiting lists.
🏥 SUS
- Request from a SUS doctor (UBS, UPA, hospital)
- Emergency X-rays same day
- Scheduled exams via municipal regulation queue
- Open to foreigners in Brazil
🏥 Plano de saúde
- Outpatient (ambulatorial) plans cover X-rays in the ANS Rol
- Exam offered within 10 business days (ANS rule)
- Co-participation fee on some plans
- Use labs in your plan's network
💳 Particular (self-pay)
- Popular clinics: from R$50 (up to 2 views)
- Mid-range labs: about R$70–150
- Premium chains: up to about R$300
- Extra views around R$20 each at popular clinics
X-Ray Prices in Brazil by Exam
Private labs price X-rays per region and number of views (incidências). The lower end below is a Belo Horizonte popular clinic charging R$50 for up to two views of any single region; the upper end reflects premium São Paulo laboratory brands. On SUS all of these are free with a doctor's request.
| Exam | SUS | Particular (BRL) | USD (≈) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chest X-ray (PA + perfil) | Free | approx. R$50–300 | $10–60 |
| Hand / wrist X-ray | Free | from approx. R$50 (one side) | from $10 |
| Ankle / foot X-ray | Free | from approx. R$50 (one side) | from $10 |
| Knee X-ray | Free | from approx. R$50 (one side), R$100 both | $10–20 |
| Cervical spine X-ray | Free | from approx. R$50 | from $10 |
| Lumbar spine X-ray | Free | from approx. R$50 | from $10 |
| Pelvis (bacia) X-ray | Free | from approx. R$50 | from $10 |
| Abdomen X-ray | Free | from approx. R$50 | from $10 |
| Dental panoramic | Via SUS dental services when needed | Ask a dental radiology clinic | — |
| MRI — joint (knee, shoulder, ankle) | Free (waiting list) | approx. R$720 | ≈ $144 |
| MRI — spine or head | Free (waiting list) | approx. R$790 | ≈ $158 |
| CT scan / ultrasound | Free | Varies widely — ask for a quote | — |
X-ray prices from published lab prices: BH Centro Diagnóstico, Belo Horizonte (R$50 per region up to 2 views, extra view R$20), Imagememorial (chest PA + perfil R$71.30), Lavoisier (chest 2 views R$100.32; PA + perfil R$150.50) and Delboni (chest PA R$297.33). MRI figures from a 2024 consumer price guide (meutudo) and may have risen. USD at approximately R$5.0 = $1 (October 2026). Premium labs may charge well above popular clinics for every region.
How SUS and Health Plans Pay for X-Rays
SUS (public)
- Universal and free; funded by federal, state and municipal taxes
- Entry through UBS; emergencies at UPA or hospital
- Exams paid to providers via the SIGTAP procedure table
- Agora Tem Especialistas: higher payments to private providers for imaging (June 2026 update)
- Waiting times vary sharply between municipalities
Plano de saúde (ANS)
- Must cover exams in the ANS Rol de Procedimentos (outpatient plans)
- Maximum waits: 10 business days for diagnostic exams such as X-ray
- 21 business days for high-complexity procedures
- Co-participation plans charge a fee per exam
- Complaints: ANS Disque 0800 701 9656
Particular and discount options
- Popular clinic chains (e.g. Dr. Consulta) offer low fixed prices
- Discount cards such as Cartão de TODOS reduce partner-clinic prices
- Premium labs (Fleury, Delboni/Dasa) charge more for comfort and speed
- A pedido médico is still required
Where to Get an X-Ray in Brazil
🏥 Public Hospitals
- Hospital das Clínicas da FMUSP — São Paulo
- Hospital São Paulo (UNIFESP) — São Paulo
- Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre
- Hospital das Clínicas da UFMG — Belo Horizonte
- UBS and UPA units in every municipality
🏥 Diagnostic Laboratory Chains
- Grupo Fleury — Fleury, a+ Medicina Diagnóstica, Hermes Pardini
- Dasa — Delboni, Lavoisier, Alta, Sérgio Franco and others
- Sabin — Brasília and other regions
- Independent and popular imaging clinics
🏥 Private Hospitals
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein — São Paulo
- Hospital Sírio-Libanês — São Paulo
- Rede D'Or São Luiz — nationwide
- Hospital Moinhos de Vento — Porto Alegre
Guide by Patient Type
🇧🇷 SUS users
- Get a request at your UBS — the X-ray is free
- For urgent injuries go to a UPA
- Pay particular (from about R$50) if the queue is too long
💼 Plan members & expats
- Use a network lab; X-ray covered under the Rol
- Report delays beyond 10 business days to ANS
- Expats with residence can use SUS as well as private plans
✈️ Tourists
- SUS emergency care is free for everyone
- Cartão SUS can be issued with a passport
- Private labs: same particular prices as locals
- Travel insurance for private hospitals
Practical Details
📋 What to bring
- Pedido médico (doctor's request)
- ID (RG/CNH) or passport, and CPF if you have one
- Cartão SUS or plano de saúde card
- Previous images and reports
⏰ Typical wait times
- Emergency (UPA/hospital): same visit
- SUS scheduled: days to months, by city
- Plano de saúde: within 10 business days by rule
- Particular: often walk-in, results in 1–2 business days
💡 How to save money
- Use SUS when time allows
- Compare popular clinics with premium labs — prices differ up to sixfold
- Check discount cards and online booking prices
- Ask whether the report (laudo) is included
FAQ
How much does an X-ray cost in Brazil?
On SUS, Brazil's public health system, an X-ray ordered by a doctor is free. Paying privately (particular), a chest X-ray costs from about R$50 at popular diagnostic clinics to around R$100–150 at mid-range labs and up to roughly R$300 at premium laboratories (about $10–60). Other single-region X-rays are priced similarly, with extra views charged on top.
Quanto custa um raio-x particular? (How much is a private X-ray?)
Um raio-x de tórax particular custa a partir de cerca de R$ 50 em clínicas populares (até 2 incidências), R$ 70–150 em laboratórios intermediários e até cerca de R$ 300 em redes premium como Delboni. No SUS o exame é gratuito com pedido médico. In English: from about R$50 to R$300 privately; free on SUS.
Is an X-ray free on SUS?
Yes. SUS provides X-rays free of charge with a request from a SUS professional, usually issued at a Unidade Básica de Saúde (UBS) or emergency unit (UPA). Emergency X-rays are done the same day; scheduled exams go through municipal regulation queues, which vary widely by city.
Does a plano de saúde cover X-rays?
Yes. Plans with outpatient (ambulatorial) cover must include X-rays and other exams in the ANS mandatory list (Rol de Procedimentos). ANS rules require the plan to offer an appointment for diagnostic services such as X-ray within 10 business days, and high-complexity procedures within 21 business days. Some plans charge a co-participation fee per exam.
How much is an MRI or CT scan in Brazil?
Private price guides list MRI at about R$720 for joints such as the knee or shoulder and about R$790 for the spine or head (around $144–158), with whole-body MRI R$1,500–4,000. CT and ultrasound prices vary widely by lab and city, so ask for a quote. On SUS both are free, but waits can be long; the federal Agora Tem Especialistas programme pays private providers to cut waits for exams.
Can foreigners and tourists use SUS?
Yes. SUS serves everyone in Brazil, including foreign visitors, and emergency care is always free. For scheduled care you may need a Cartão SUS, which can be issued with a passport. Many tourists prefer private labs or hospitals for speed and pay particular prices or use travel insurance.
Do I need a medical request (pedido médico) for a private X-ray?
Yes. Brazilian labs and imaging clinics generally require a pedido médico (doctor's request) for X-rays, including particular exams. Telemedicine consultations can issue the request if you do not have one.
How much is a dental panoramic X-ray in Brazil?
Panoramic X-rays are done at dental radiology clinics and some labs; prices vary by city, so request a quote. SUS dental services (Brasil Sorridente) and Centros de Especialidades Odontológicas provide dental imaging when clinically needed.
Compare X-Ray Costs Across Countries
Sources
- Ministério da Saúde — SUS access and Agora Tem Especialistas programme; Portaria SAES/MS nº 4.282 (19 June 2026) on imaging payments to private providers (via Legismap, July 2026)
- ANS (Agência Nacional de Saúde Suplementar) — Rol de Procedimentos and maximum waiting times (RN 259)
- BH Centro Diagnóstico (Belo Horizonte) — published X-ray prices
- Lavoisier, Delboni (Dasa) and Imagememorial — published chest X-ray prices
- meutudo — MRI price guide (July 2024)
- Exchange rate: open.er-api.com, 12 October 2026 (≈ R$5.0 per US$)
Last reviewed: October 2026. Private prices vary widely between labs and cities — confirm with the laboratory before booking.