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Studying medicine in Paraguay: live in Foz or in Presidente Franco?
The guide for those heading to study in Ciudad del Este — universities, rent and the daily crossing
People studying medicine in Ciudad del Este usually choose to live in Foz do Iguaçu (less than 3 km from the colleges, crossing the Friendship Bridge) or in Presidente Franco, on the Paraguayan side (about 7 km from the bridge). Living in Foz costs a bit less in rent and keeps you in Brazil; living in Paraguay brings you closer to college and simplifies daily life. Tuition for the programs averages between R$ 900 and R$ 1,300.
Thousands of Brazilians study medicine in Ciudad del Este and the surrounding area — more affordable tuition and admission without a traditional entrance exam draw new cohorts every semester. The first practical decision is: which side to live on?
The universities (where they are)
| University | Where |
|---|---|
| UPE (Universidad Privada del Este) | campuses in Ciudad del Este and Presidente Franco |
| UCP (Universidad Central del Paraguay) | Ciudad del Este |
| UPAP (Universidad Politécnica y Artística del Paraguay) | ~40 min from downtown Foz |
Living in Foz do Iguaçu (Brazilian side)
Pros: you stay in Brazil (bank, health plan, SUS, the comfort of the language), slightly cheaper rent and the infrastructure of a larger city. The colleges are less than 3 km away, crossing the Friendship Bridge. Cons: the daily bridge crossing — at rush hour and on days with long lines, the time varies quite a bit. Rent (reference): studio from ~R$ 750; 2-bedroom apartment from ~R$ 950.
Living in Presidente Franco or Ciudad del Este (Paraguayan side)
Pros: close to college, no need to depend on the bridge line every day, lower cost of living on several items, immersion in Spanish. Cons: the bureaucracy of living in another country (documents, bank account, sometimes the language in services) and rent for a studio near the university tends to be a bit higher. Rent (reference): studio near the university from ~R$ 900; 2-bedroom apartment from ~R$ 1,100.
What to weigh in the decision
- How many trips per day? Those who go home between classes suffer more with the bridge — there, living close (Paraguay) wins.
- Budget: Foz tends to be a bit cheaper on rent; Paraguay makes up for it on other costs.
- Documents: those living in Paraguay need to get organized with immigration and local documents.
- Revalidation: the Paraguayan diploma must go through the Revalida to practice medicine in Brazil — plan for this from the start.
Looking for a place to live? Check the Marco Três rental classifieds and the guide to documents for crossing the border. Marco Três does not broker rentals — it connects you to the information and the listings.
Source: universities in the region and student guidance portals · verified in Jun/2026
Frequently asked questions
- Is it better to live in Foz or in Paraguay to study medicine in Ciudad del Este?
- Living in Foz costs a bit less in rent and keeps you in Brazil, but requires crossing the bridge every day. Living in Presidente Franco or Ciudad del Este brings you closer to college and avoids the line, with a lower cost of living on several items.
- How much is rent for a medical student on the border?
- In Foz, a studio from ~R$ 750 and a 2-bedroom apartment from ~R$ 950. On the Paraguayan side near the university, a studio from ~R$ 900 and a 2-bedroom from ~R$ 1,100.
- How much is medical school tuition in Paraguay?
- On average between R$ 900 and R$ 1,300, varying by university. The diploma requires passing the Revalida to practice in Brazil.
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✓ Marco Três fact-check
Content verified by the newsroom based on an official source: Universidades da região / orientação a estudantes. Last checked: 6/14/2026. Found something inaccurate? We fix it fast. How we work.