Giving Birth In Portugal

Planning your life after relocation? Explore what it is like to give birth in Portugal as a foreigner. Learn about healthcare and support!

Article by Viv Europe - Official Legal and Relocation Partner to KipperTree.

04 01 2023

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Bringing life to the world is a special occasion for any parent. After the long nine-month wait full of fatigue and unannounced vomiting, holding your child in your hands surely makes up for all that trouble. As a foreigner interested in spending the rest of your years in Portugal, having children might be in your plans. This article will prepare you for what it’s like to give birth in Portugal!

This sunny European country is a great place to have children. The birth rate is so low that the government is deliberately encouraging childbirth by offering incentives in the country. In fact, according to data from Pordata, the average child per woman in Portugal is about 1.43.

That said, what is giving birth in Portugal like for expats? What is healthcare like? Do you need insurance to give birth in Portugal? If you need answers to these questions, this post is for you. We attempt to shed some light on the intricacies that go into the process of the entire birth process. Happy reading!

What is healthcare in Portugal like?

Healthcare in Europe is known to be among the best in the world. It is well-socialized, meaning that public medical care is more popular than the alternative, except for a few exceptions.

Portugal is also no different; while there are both private and public healthcare options, the latter is by far the most popular among the locals. The National Healthcare System, better referred to as Sistema Nacional de Saúde, is universal, meaning anyone in the country can access healthcare.

Portugal takes healthcare very seriously and tries to keep up with international standards. Per the World Index of Healthcare Innovation (WIHI), the quality of Portugal’s healthcare system ranks 22nd for in-patient care and medical infrastructure.

Public health care in Portugal is mostly free for citizens and foreigners from countries within the Euro Zone. However, for expats outside this zone, you must be a legal visa holder or have a valid residence card.

Also, you need to have a Número de Utente, a user number of the National Healthcare, to enjoy free public healthcare in Portugal.

Health Insurance in Portugal

Like anywhere in the world, private healthcare is expensive. So, if you need to attend a private hospital for specialised care or any other reason, you will need health insurance for co-paying.

While that is true, it is also worth mentioning that the fees are relatively lower than in other countries in Europe and beyond. The good news is that there are different plans with different pricing depending on your circumstances and needs. Health insurance is around €400 a year for a basic plan and up to €1,000 if you choose a more comprehensive plan.

On average, fees for private medical care are €15 per appointment and €35 per emergency. In addition, the insurance will also pay 90% of medical expenses for consultations, exams, surgeries, hospitalizations, and even childbirth. Of course, it all depends on your insurance.

Pregnancy and childbirth in Portugal

Pregnancy is challenging; however, getting the privilege of going through the journey in a country that guarantees proper healthcare and a peaceful lifestyle makes it easier. Getting pregnant and giving birth in Portugal has its perks, some of which you might not find in other places worldwide.

To begin, pregnant women, whether citizens or expats, have equal rights, provided they have stayed in the country for more than 90 days. One of the main perks is access to certain prenatal care services in public hospitals, such as free consultations extending 60 days post-partum.

However, before accessing any of the services mentioned above, you must register with your local hospital beforehand. Usually, it is important to schedule your first appointment as early as 12 weeks. Appointments are every 4-6 weeks until week 30, then more frequent visits, typically every 2-3 weeks until week 36, for comprehensive prenatal care.

When you are ready for delivery, usually during the 40th week, your doctor will refer you to a consultation at the hospital where you will give birth. You have the luxury of choice when it comes to the type of birth you prefer. This also extends to the type of anesthesia. Keep in mind that you can choose to give birth in a private hospital if you so wish.

Best hospitals

The beauty of giving birth in Portugal is that there are enough reliable hospitals to care for you during this delicate process. While you can get regular appointments and checkups from your local hospitals, here are other options from different cities in the country.

Lisbon:

Hospital da Luz Torres de Lisboa (formerly British Hospital)

CMIL – Clínica Médica Internacional de Lisboa

Clínica Central do Bonfim

Porto:

Hospital Cuf Porto

Centro Hospitalar do Porto (Hospital Geral de Santo Antonio)

Hospital Lusíadas Porto

Algarve:

University Hospital Center of Algarve, Faro

Hospital Lusíadas Faro

Private Hospital of the Algarve

Silver Coast:

Centro Hospitalar do Oes

Hospital Rainha Santa Isabel

Lagos:

Hospital São Gonçalo de Lagos

Luzdoc – Serviço Médico Internacional

Cascais:

CUF Cascais Hospital

Portimão:

Hospital Particular do Algarve | Alvor

How much does it cost to give birth in Portugal?

If you choose to give birth in a public hospital in Portugal, you will not have to pay for the services. Childbirth in Portugal is among the services that you receive at no cost. However, should you choose to do the same in a private hospital, you must pay for medical care.

The good news is that with insurance, your medical bills will be paid for. Usually, the cost of giving birth in a private hospital will range from €2,900 to €6,000 depending on the particular hospital and the type of medical care provided during childbirth.

Registering a birth in Portugal

Child registration needs to happen within 20 days of delivery in Portugal. You can easily do this process at the nearest Portuguese Civil Registry Office. If you don’t know the location, use this website to find one.

This service is also available (for free) through a government initiative known as Nascer Cidadao, accessible at the maternity ward where your child was born. Here are the documents you will need to present during the registration process:

ID or Passport of the parents;

A birth certificate provided by the maternity ward or the location where the birth occurred.

Several individuals can register a child’s birth, including the parents, a close relative, a legal representative of the parents, or a designated staff member at the birth location.

To find out if your child will get Portuguese citizenship, read the full article here