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Important:

European citizens with EHIC cards (the European Health Insurance Card) are covered for all medically necessary treatment related to pregnancy, including childbirthÌý-Ìýas long as giving birth is not the main reason for staying in Spain. If you plan to give birth in Spain while currently residing in another EU country, it is highly recommended to contact your local health authority before moving, as prior authorisation (such as an S2 form) may be required.

Giving birth within the national healthcare system

If you are a legal resident in Spain paying your monthly social security contributions, you are entitled to public healthcare. If you opt to have your baby in a Spanish public hospital, one will typically be assigned to you. However, if you go into labour when you're away from the area, you can go into any public hospital.

During your pregnancy, you will get ultrasounds and medical check-ups.

Giving birth with private healthcare

If you have private healthcare, you may prefer to pay for a private hospital. In this situation, you can choose the hospital you want to be under. You will receive regular check-ups and ultrasounds and can expect shorter wait times for results and appointments. You will have your own room or a suite in the private hospital, unlike the public system, where you will most likely share a room.

If you do not speak Spanish, you should hire a translator who can accompany you to the hospital for check-ups and when the baby is born.

Good to know:

Home pregnancy kits are available over the counter in Spanish pharmacies.

Registering your newborn baby

In most cases, hospitals or clinics will take care of registering the birth within 72 hours. However, if this is not done, parents have ten days to declare the birth at the local Civil Registry Office (Oficina del Registro Civil). This can be extended to 30 days if there is a good cause. Registration includes:

• The name of your baby
• The date, time and location of the birth
• Gender of your baby
• The parents when the relationship is legally recognised
• The time of registration

When you register your newborn, you must bring with you:

• Documents confirming your identity and nationalityÌý
• Statements confirming the name of the newborn
• A medical certificate signed electronically by a doctor
• Translated marriage certificate or family book

If a child is born outside of marriage:

Both parents will need to attend the registry office and provide:

• The medical delivery report provided by the hospital
• The NIE documents of both the mother and the father
• Details of the mother's marital status. If the mother was previously married, the legal presumption of paternity needs to be removed by presenting a marriage certificate and the divorce decree. In the case of a separation, two witnesses must accompany the mother to the registry office.

Good to know:

Spain is a very bureaucratic country so make sure you're fully prepared with all the documents you will need. If the baby is yet to be born, have your marriage certificate translated in advance so you are not rushing around after the birth.

Spanish birth certificate

There are several types of birth certificates in Spain issued by the Registrar of the Civil Registry. They include:

• Certificado extracto – a summary of the birth record available in multiple languages
• Certificado literal – contains all the relevant information related to the birth and the identity of the newborn
• An international or multilingual birth certificate
• An electronic certificate

Good to know:

Here are a few pregnancy-related Spanish words used during and after pregnancy:

• Dar a luz - to give birth. The literal and flowery translation is 'to give a light.'
• Contracciones - contractions
• ±õ²Ô»å³Ü³¦³¦¾±Ã³²Ô al parto - labour induction
• Ecografia - ultrasound
• Fecha probable del partoÌý-Ìýestimated due date
• Fecha del parto - actual date of birth
• Paritorio -Ìýlabour/delivery room

Useful links: