In Brazil a medical certificate is called an atestado médico. Travellers usually need one for an insurer, an employer, a school, or an airline — and the most common mistake is asking for it after the consultation rather than during it.

What an atestado is, and what it is not

It is a document in which a doctor records a clinical finding: that you were assessed, and what follows from that — for example, a period of rest. It is the result of a medical assessment, not a product you order. A doctor can only certify what the assessment supports.

That distinction matters for two situations travellers often ask about: a certificate stating you are fit to fly, and one covering days you were already unwell in the past. Both depend on what can genuinely be assessed and documented.

Can it be issued online?

Yes, when the assessment can be made remotely. Under Brazilian telehealth rules, a medical certificate issued in an online consultation has national validity, the same as one issued in person, and carries the doctor's registration details.

If the situation requires physical examination — an injury, a suspected fracture, anything that has to be seen and touched — the certificate has to follow an in-person assessment.

What to ask for while you are still in the consultation

  • Who it is for — an insurer, an employer or an airline may need different information.
  • The dates it covers.
  • The language. If it is going abroad, ask whether it can be issued in a language your recipient reads, or whether you will need a translation.
  • Whether a diagnosis should appear. Some recipients require it; in other cases you may prefer it not to. Say which.
  • The doctor's registration number — recipients abroad often look for it.

And the receipt

If you plan to claim the consultation from your insurer, ask for the invoice at the same time. It is far easier than requesting it later from another country.

Frequently asked questions about medical certificates in Brazil

Is a certificate issued online valid?

Yes, with national validity, provided the assessment could properly be made remotely.

Can I get one for days that have already passed?

Only to the extent a doctor can properly assess and document it. It is not automatic.

Will it be in English?

Ask during the consultation. If not, you may need a translation for your recipient.

Do I need a CPF?

No. A passport is enough.

General information, not individual medical advice. Reviewed by Dr. Marcelo Rafael Lujan, physician registered with CRM-SC 42.900.

Need to be assessed and to have the documentation done properly? Book an online consultation in English and ask for what you need while the doctor is with you.