Life in Goiania

Healthcare in Goiania

Whilst Brazil does have a free, public healthcare system that permanent residents are able to use, many expatriates living in Goiania prefer to use the private healthcare system. The public system is underfunded and overcrowded, and is usually lacking in facilities, whilst waiting times are often lengthy.

As a major city, Goiania has a better public healthcare system than many other areas of Brazil, but expatriates are still advised to use the private system, as the standard of care is much higher. However, as the private system can be very expensive, comprehensive health insurance is recommended, so as to avoid being hit with large fees. Pharmacies are usually well stocked, and Brazil has recently implemented a new system whereby you can order repeat prescriptions online so as to minimize waiting times.

Education in Goiania

The Brazilian education system is not up to the same standard as many European and North American countries – overcrowding and underfunding are the main problems. As such, many expatriates in Brazil send their children to international schools. As there is currently only one international or bilingual school located in the city (Escola Internacional de Goiania), many expatriates living in Goiania send their children to one of the many international schools in other Brazilian cities, particularly to those in nearby Brasilia, which is around a two hour drive from Goiania. The most notable international schools in Brasilia include the Brasilia International School, the Logo Swiss International School, and the American School of Brasilia. Goiania is home to many universities and colleges, all of which teach in Portuguese, including Universidade Federal de Goiás, Universidade Estadual de Goiás, and Universidade Paulista.

Transportation in Goiania

Expatriates living in Goiania will be able to drive legally using their foreign license or an international permit for up to six months, after which they must obtain a Brazilian license. They may be required to undergo some testing as part of this process, but this depends on their nationality. Brazil’s road infrastructure is not equipped to deal with the population, especially in major cities like Goiania. Therefore you should be prepared for major traffic jams, congestion, and poor road surfaces; accidents on motorways are commonplace. Many people living in Goiania instead use the public transportation system, which although not up to the standard of some countries is adequate. The railway was closed in 1970s, but there remains an extensive bus network that operates throughout the city. Santa Genoveva Airport is the nearest airport to Goiania, but a new airport has been under construction since 2010.