The Ultimate Guide to Giving Birth In Portugal Part 2

Paperwork and Labor & Delivery

Hospital Bag Documents

When you go into labor, the last thing you want to think about is documents, so make sure you prep early and have all these ready for when you head to the hospital or birthing facility. Keep them in a clear, labeled folder in your hospital bag. But keep them with a trusted individual like a birth partner or doula. Do not let them leave your room.

Medical Documents

Document	Purpose	Notes
Boletim de Saúde da Grávida (BSG)	Your primary medical passport. Contains your full medical history, blood type, prenatal test results, ultrasound reports, and risk assessment throughout the pregnancy.	This is the single most important document. Staff use this to immediately assess your entire prenatal journey. You must bring this to every single appointment.
All Recent Exam Results	Any recent blood work, swab results (like GBS screening), or specialist referral letters not yet recorded in the BSG.	If you use a private clinic, bring copies of the reports to the public hospital (and vice versa) for continuity.
Proof of Pregnancy Declaration	A medical document certifying your pregnancy and estimated due date, often used for employment rights or initial registration.	You should have received this early in your care.

Identification Documents

Identity document (ID)	Legal photo ID	Passport or Cartão de Ciadão
Número de Utente (SNS User Number)	Your public health identification number	Essential for processing your care as "exempt" from fees (taxas moderadoras). If you have a Citizen Card, this number is printed on it.
NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal)	Your Portuguese Tax Identification Number	Required for all official transactions, including hospital admissions and billing.
Valid Residence Permit	Proof of legal residency in Portugal.	Required for non-EU expats to confirm eligibility for free maternity care under the SNS.
Private Insurance Card/Policy	Only required if giving birth in a private hospital.	Bring the physical card and a copy of the policy summary, as the private hospital will need to pre-authorize your stay.

The Birth Registration

Post Birth Registration Documents

Parent/s ID/Passport	Required for both parents to confirm identities and nationality for the baby's record.	Bring the originals (and a photocopy set, just in case).
Names of the Baby's Grandparents	Full names of all four grandparents are legally required for the birth registration in Portugal.	Have this information written down clearly to ensure accuracy during registration.
Marriage Certificate	If there are two parents who are married, this may be useful if asked for.	Optional but recommended

The process of formally documenting your baby after in Portugal involves three stages: the birth registration, identification or residency, and foreign identification.

1.Birth Registration (Assento de Nascimento)

This is legal proof of your child’s birth, basically like a birth certificate. It must be completed within 20 days of birth. You have two options to complete this registration. 

a.  Nascer Cidadão: this service allows you to register the birth directly at a dedicated desk within the maternity hospital or birth center before you are discharged. In this case, the hospital staff will facilitate the entire registration process. Make sure to check with the hospital beforehand to see if this service is offered.

b. Consesrvatória do Registo Civil: if the Nascer Cidadão service is unavailable, you must visit a local Consesrvatória do Registo (civil registry office) or Loja do Cidadão (Citizen’s shop). Either parent can go register the child and it is a good idea to book an appointment ahead of time. And remember to bring all your documents.

Once you’ve figured out which system you want to use to register your child, make sure you have the correct documents. All of the documents you might need are included on the above list. But the health care personnel will also give you a hospital declaration, which is a document issued by the maternity ward attesting to the birth with the date, time, and location. Be sure to add this to your documents.

Once the information is process, the Assento de Nascimento (birth record or birth certificate) will be given to you or sent to you. You will use this document for all further identification applications.

2.Applying for the Baby’s Identification or Residency

If your child will be a Portuguese citizen, you will need to apply for a Cartão de Cidadão. This application can be done in person at a Loja do Cidadão, or a Conservatória. After this, if you plan on traveling, you can apply for a passport for the child.

If the child is not a Portuguese citizen, they will require a Título de Residência (residency permit).

You will submit an application to the AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo), and you should apply as soon as you receive the Assento de Nascimento.

You will need to provide the following documents:

·    Assento de Nascimento (Birth Record).

·    Parent’s Passports and Residency Permits.

·    Proof of legal entry/stay for the child (if applicable, such as a Visa application).

·    Proof of sufficient financial means and accommodation (usually demonstrated via the parents' records).

3.Foreign Identification

Each country has their own rules for registering the birth of foreign-born nationals. Check the policy of your home country if you want your child registered with them. You will need to this if you want your child to have citizenship, a passport, or other benefits of being a citizen of your home country.

Immigrant/Expat Hospital Checklist

When you go to the hospital in Portugal, you will need to provide most of the personal items and basic baby necessities yourself. Always ask the hospital or birthing facility what they will provide for you during labor and after the baby is born.

Usually this is what the birthing facility will provide, vs what you are expected to bring:

Item Type	What is Provided	What You Must Bring
Linens and Towels	Bed linens for mother	You must often bring linens or swaddles for the baby’s crib and your own bath towels (or accept very basic hospital towels).
Medication	All necessary medical drugs, IV fluids, and pain relief during labor and recovery.	Any specific prescription medications you take regularly, in their original packaging.
Personal Care	Basic soap and toilet paper.	Everything else: hygiene pads, underwear, nursing pads, specific toiletries.
Baby Care	Sometimes, the first set of basic blankets or a hat for immediate post-delivery use.	All Diapers (Nappies), Wipes, Baby Clothes, and creams. You are fully responsible for the baby's supplies throughout the stay.
Food and Drink	Meals for the mother (usually basic)	Water bottles, snacks, and drinks (for the mother and the partner)

Remember to bring all the documents listed above for a smoother registration process.

And if you don’t speak Portuguese, it’s important to prepare so you aren’t stuck in a situation with a communication error or misunderstanding.

Language support items:

·    Translation apps

·    List of Portuguese phrases (there’s a list in the back of the book)

Advocacy and Communication

While some healthcare professions speak English, especially if you planned your birth team ahead of time, sometimes things happen that are out of our control, so it’s always important to plan ahead.

Make a Written Birth Plan

Make sure your birth plan is written down and detailed. It should be printed out in English and in Portuguese, so many of the important phrases don’t need to be translated. It might help to format the document in two columns, with English on one side, and Portuguese on the other.

Keep the document concise, with 3-5 of your non-negotiables. Use bullet points and clear, direct language.

It may also help to give a copy to your healthcare professionals during one of your third trimester appointments in addition to bringing copies to the birth.

Utilize Your Birth Partner

Even if your birth partner or doula aren’t professional translators, you can still give them the responsibility of trying to communicate your needs and expectations with healthcare staff. Just like if you were in an English-speaking country, your birth partner or doula can be the go between and advocate for you. But in this case, they can also be in charge of translating through an app or third party so you can focus on the most important job, birthing your baby.

Key Questions to Ask Upon Arrival

Question English	Question Portuguese	Why You Need to Ask
"Who is the lead midwife/nurse on call for my care right now?"	"Quem é a parteira/enfermeira responsável pelo meu cuidado agora?"	Establishes the primary contact person for decision-making and ensures you know who is in charge of your room.
"Have you reviewed my birth plan (Plano de Parto)?"	"Reviu o meu Plano de Parto?"	This is to see if your preferences have been acknowledged and if the current staff agrees with them.
"What is the policy on walking and movement in this ward?"	"Qual é a política sobre andar e movimento nesta enfermaria?"	Clarifies if you are confined to the bed (and if so, why) or if you are free to use alternative positions/tools. You can also ask this ahead of time.
"When will the doctor check on me, and what is the typical schedule?"	"Quando é que o médico me vai examinar, e qual é o horário típico?"	Sets expectations for medical interventions and helps you track who is coming into your room and when.
"Under what conditions would continuous electronic monitoring be required?"	"Sob que condições seria necessário monitorização eletrónica contínua?"	Crucial if you prefer intermittent monitoring (to allow movement). This clarifies the medical threshold for intervention. You can also ask this ahead of time
"What is the routine for skin-to-skin and cord clamping after birth?"	"Qual é a rotina para contacto pele-a-pele e pinçamento do cordão umbilical?"	Confirms the hospital's standard procedure and ensures your preference for immediate skin-to-skin and delayed cord clamping is respected.  You can also ask this ahead of time
"When can I start breastfeeding, and is there support immediately available?"	"Quando posso começar a amamentar, e há apoio disponível de imediato?"	Confirms the immediate post-birth feeding protocol and if a nurse/lactation specialist can assist. You can also ask this ahead of time