5 Things to Think About When Giving Birth Abroad

1. Health insurance

If you already have international health insurance, check and make sure your policy covers pregnancy and birth. If you are planning on conceiving, make sure you get a good international insurance that covers birth before you become pregnant, as some insurance companies will classify pregnancy as a “pre-existing condition” and won’t cover it.

Does the company you work for or the school you are attending offer health insurance? Check to make sure that insurance covers pregnancy and birth in the plan. Sometimes, it comes at an extra charge to add it to your plan.

Check your visa status and the health coverage of the country you are living in. Some countries, like Sweden, Norway, and Finland provide free healthcare for all pregnant women, as long as they have legal residence status.

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2. Documentation

Unlike the US, very few countries grant citizenship solely because you were born on their soil. Some countries, however, will offer citizenship if the individual was born in their country and has lived there a certain amount of time, or if one of their parents is a citizen. For example, in Italy children can become citizens if they have lived there since their birth.

Registering a birth is mandatory in all EU countries, but the rules and conditions surrounding that differ from country to country. Usually, the registration process can be completed online or at the hospital where the child is born, but sometimes the registration must take place in person at a local administration office. Every country has their own registration deadline that must be followed. Information required for registration include the name and sex of the child and the names of the parents. Usually, the birth certificate is issued after registration. Sometimes a fee is required.

For more information on the country you live in, check the official EU website.

If you are a US citizen, you also have to register the birth with the US government. You will have to apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA). This can be done online or at most US embassies and consulates. If you plan on passing your US citizenship to your child, you must have a CRBA. Be prepared to pay a fee for the processing of the CRBA and the infant’s passport

Check with your country’s immigration rules to see how much time you have to add your child to your visa and get them their own passport.

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3. Local Culture and Healthcare

Like culture, healthcare differs in many ways depending on the country. In some areas, you’re more likely to be treated by a doctor, while in others, it’s more common to be treated exclusively by a midwife. In some countries, like the Netherlands, around 16% of their births happen at home. While in other countries, like Finland, home birth is discouraged, and the cost isn’t covered under the public healthcare system. Other things to consider might be, how long you will be allowed to stay in the hospital after the birth, who is allowed to accompany you to the birth, and what kind of things you will need to advocate for yourself during the process.

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4. Language

Depending on the country you’re living in, healthcare professionals may or may not speak your preferred language. If you can’t find a hospital or clinic that speaks your same language, you may have to ask for an interpreter in advance. Sometimes you will have to bring your own interpreter to the hospital with you. In some cases, like in Spain, they require you to translate certain documents when you come to the hospital for delivery. 

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5. Parental Leave Policies

If you are working for a foreign company, find out if they offer parental leave. In many countries in the EU, parental leave is much more generous than in the United States, and in 50 countries in Europe, it is guaranteed for the secondary partner as well as the partner who gave birth to the child.

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Do you want more help planning your birthing abroad experience? Check out my services.