Due to its mild climate, advanced healthcare, and high level of safety, Portugal is popular among expectant foreign parents. However, unlike in Brazil or Argentina, a child does not automatically receive Portuguese citizenship at birth. A newborn will be granted citizenship if one of the parents has legally resided in Portugal for at least 1 year.
When preparing to give birth in Portugal, there are several things to consider: choosing a city and a hospital, obtaining a visa, planning your flight, and registering the child in advance. This article explains how Portugal’s obstetrics system works, under what circumstances a child can obtain citizenship, and what alternatives exist for those considering giving birth abroad as part of their migration strategy.
Why choose Portugal for giving birth and living with your child?
Portugal remains one of the most popular countries in Europe for living with children in 2026. There are several compelling reasons for this.
Portugal is an affordable European country, with prices for high-quality medical care, even in private clinics, that are lower than in France, Germany, or the UK. According to the global Numbeo database, healthcare in Portugal ranks among the top 25 worldwide and the top 15 in Europe. Foreign women residing in Portugal for more than 90 days are entitled to free checkups in public clinics throughout their pregnancies and for 2 months after childbirth.
Portugal is consistently ranked among the 10 safest countries worldwide. Its low crime rates and peaceful environment are ideal for a baby’s first months of life. The 300 days of sunshine per year and the opportunity to regularly walk by the ocean promote quick recovery for the mother and a strong immune system for the baby.
Children are adored in Portugal. It’s perfectly normal to bring a baby to a restaurant or an official meeting. You’ll always be offered assistance and a warm smile. Families in Portugal can count on monthly benefits that vary with family income. In addition to parents, grandparents who miss work to care for their grandchildren are assisted. Tax deductions are also provided for child-related expenses, such as education and health costs, which makes life here more financially predictable.
Portuguese legislation is more lenient than that of other European countries when it comes to granting citizenship at birth. A child of foreign parents is entitled to Portuguese citizenship if their parents have lived in Portugal for at least a year. Therefore, Portugal is a better fit for those planning to move here, even temporarily. However, if you want to arrange the birth abroad and immediately grant the child a second citizenship upon returning, it’s worth considering other countries, such as Brazil, which has an unconditional right of birth.
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Childbirth in Portugal: what foreign women need to know
The Portuguese healthcare system focuses on «gentle childbirth», prioritizing the mother’s comfort and the baby’s safety. Foreign women planning to give birth in Portugal should know that, while the system functions smoothly, it requires timely integration.
Arrival in Portugal. Most foreigners require a visa to stay in the country for more than 90 days. Visa permits are issued by Portuguese diplomatic missions abroad and visa centers. Visa processing takes 15-30 days and costs EUR 110.
If you’re planning a trip while already pregnant, it’s important to consider the timeframe:
- usually, no additional documents are required for travel until 28 weeks;
- from 28 to 35 weeks, you need a doctor’s certificate stating the absence of contraindications (for a singleton pregnancy);
- if you are carrying more than one child, a doctor’s permit is required from weeks 28 to 31 of pregnancy;
- after 35 weeks for singleton pregnancies and after 32 weeks for multiple pregnancies, you will not be allowed to board a plane.
When choosing a city in which to live during pregnancy and childbirth, it is worth keeping in mind that English is widely spoken by medical professionals in larger cities. However, most medical services are provided in Portuguese, so arranging for a translator in advance can be helpful.
Get a Maternity book. After entering Portugal, the first step should be to visit a doctor and obtain a Maternity Book (Boletim de Saúde da Grávida). This document will serve as your main «passport» for the coming months. In the public sector, contact your local health center to obtain the document. You will be assigned a family doctor who will order tests and routine ultrasounds. Pregnant women without public health insurance do not have to pay extra for examinations under the country’s health system (SNS).
Choose a clinic. Many foreign women choose private obstetricians and gynecologists at hospitals in Portugal such as CUF, Hospital da Luz, and Lusíadas. At these clinics, you can choose a doctor who can attend your birth for an additional fee, regardless of their schedule. The cost of a single visit without insurance ranges from EUR 80 to EUR 150. In Portugal, it is encouraged to have a birth plan. It is a document in which you outline your preferences, such as whether you want an epidural (available upon request almost everywhere in Portugal) and who will be present during the birth.
Packing and documents. Portuguese maternity hospitals provide basic comfort, but it’s best to have a list of necessary items ready by week 35. For the mother, these include:
- documents (passport, NIF (taxpayer identification number), maternity booklet);
- comfortable clothes for nursing;
- personal hygiene items;
- medical records with a Portuguese or English translation (if you were registered in your home country).
For the baby, you will need:
- clothes made from natural fabrics;
- diapers;
- a blanket.
If labor begins unexpectedly, the woman is referred to the obstetric emergency department of the nearest public hospital. Even if the birth was planned at a private clinic, private hospitals usually transfer patients to public facilities in the event of critical complications in the early stages, as public facilities have better equipment for caring for premature babies. (For example, the Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central.)
Giving birth in Portugal is a good option for you if you want to:
- Giving birth at the world’s best hospitals
- Enjoy visa-free travel to over 185 countries worldwide
- Ensure a better future for your child
- Get a «backup plan» for yourself and your child
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The cost of childbirth in Portugal in 2026
The cost depends on your residence permit status, insurance coverage, and the clinic you choose. Residents can give birth at a public medical center free of charge (including hospitalization, epidural anesthesia, and a C-section).
If you don’t have a residence permit and prefer public care, you will be responsible for a co-payment of approximately EUR 500-3,000, depending on the clinic and your situation. You will receive assistance, but will be billed afterwards.
If you’re looking for maximum comfort and are considering a private clinic, note that each clinic has its own prices, which also depend on whether you have private insurance. We’ve provided approximate price ranges in the table below:
| Expense category | Private clinic (without insurance), € | Private clinic (with insurance), € |
|---|---|---|
| Prenatal care | 1,200–2,500 | 15–50 (per visit) |
| Natural childbirth | 3,500–5,000 | Up to 1,000 |
| C-Section | 5,500–7,000 | Up to 1,500 |
| Hospital stay (2-3 days) | Included in the package | Usually included |
| Epidural anesthesia | Usually included | Usually included |
On average, giving birth at a private clinic without insurance costs between EUR 3,500 and EUR 7,000.
To receive insurance coverage for childbirth, you must sign up at least 12 months before the expected due date. In Portugal, there is a 365-day waiting period for childbirth coverage. This means that if you become pregnant before signing up for insurance, the insurance company may not cover any of the cost of childbirth. However, this depends on the specific company. Some clinics offer their own insurance, with prices starting at EUR 13/month.
In private clinics, the following may be paid for separately:
- neonatologist;
- the personal physician’s presence (if not on duty);
- extensive genetic testing of the newborn;
- a comfortable room for your partner.
Social child benefits and allowances for pregnant women in Portugal
In Portugal, motherhood is considered a social value, so support begins before the baby is born. Most child benefits in Portugal are regulated by the Segurança Social. To qualify, you must be registered in the system (have a NISS) and be officially employed or paying taxes, as a rule. If you arrive for the birth without a residence permit or income in Portugal, you generally cannot count on receiving payments.
Starting from the 13th week of pregnancy, women can apply for a monthly prenatal benefit. This benefit is available to Portuguese citizens and residents whose family income does not exceed established thresholds (EUR 12,784 per year). Typically, the value of a family’s assets (bank accounts, shares, etc.) must not exceed 240 times the IAS index (approximately EUR 128,910).
The benefit is paid for 6 months, beginning the month after the application is submitted. The amount depends on the family’s income level. On average, it ranges from EUR 90 to EUR 190 per month. The amount increases with multiplet pregnancies.
Parental benefits are salary compensation received during maternity leave after the birth of a child. The benefit is paid for 120 or 150 days, and the amount is calculated using a complex formula. Parents can split this leave between themselves. To qualify, a family’s net worth must be no more than EUR 128,911, and their per-person income must not exceed EUR 430. The full benefit must be claimed within 6 months of the birth.
If a doctor confirms that work or health conditions pose a risk to the pregnancy, the woman can take «risk sick leave». In Portugal, risk pregnancy benefits are paid at 100% of the base salary.
In addition to cash benefits, pregnant foreign women with a residence permit receive the following:
- a dental voucher: entitles them to free dental visits during pregnancy and for 60 days after childbirth (up to 5 times per voucher);
- priority service: by law, pregnant women are entitled to priority service at all public and private institutions, including banks, supermarkets, and government agencies;
- free transportation in some municipalities: Lisbon and Porto often offer free or discounted transportation programs for pregnant women and families with children.
Depending on the municipality, families may also receive other forms of support. For example, the municipality of Nelas allocates EUR 1,000 per child: EUR 250 to cover expenses during the first year of life and an additional EUR 750 for goods and services necessary for the child, such as kindergarten, hygiene products, and medications.
Foreigners require a Portuguese tax identification number (NIF) and a social security number (NISS) to receive most benefits.
Obtaining documents for your baby in Portugal: what to do after birth
Obtain documents from the maternity hospital. Upon discharge from a Portuguese maternity hospital (both public and private), you will be given:
- Boletim de Saúde Infantil e Juvenil (Yellow Book), the most important medical document. It records birth information (weight and height), the vaccination schedule, and the results of the heel prick test, and is used when parents register the birth.
- A birth certificate (Guia de Nascimento), which serves as official confirmation of the birth and the place of birth at the institution where the child was delivered and is required for registration with the Portuguese civil registry office.
Register the child. You have 20 days from the moment of birth to register:
- at the maternity hospital through the Nascer Cidadão service;
- at the civil registry office (Conservatória do Registo Civil);
- online through the Justiça.gov.pt portal.
After completing the free procedure, you will receive an Assento de Nascimento (birth certificate). The electronic document will be sent to your email address, and the paper document will be sent to the address you provided.
Contact a clinic. Then, take the documents to the clinic at your place of residence. This is necessary to schedule the first pediatric appointment, which is usually within the first 10 days after the birth, and to register the child for free vaccinations under the National Vaccination Program (PNV).
Apply for benefits. Submit the application through the Segurança Social Direta service. It is advisable to submit the application within the first 6 months so that benefits are calculated from the date of birth.
Obtaining Dual Citizenship for a Child: Portugal and the Parents’ Country of Origin
A child born in Portugal to foreign parents may acquire Portuguese citizenship if at least one parent has legally resided in the country for a minimum of 1 year at the time of the child’s birth. When the parents apply for the newborn’s Portuguese birth certificate, «Portuguesa» is automatically entered in the citizenship field.
If a child is unable to obtain Portuguese citizenship immediately, they have the right to request it later if they are in one of the following situations:
- They are under 18 years old and their mother or father has lived in Portugal for at least five years or the child has completed at least one year of study at a local educational institution.
- They have reached the age of majority, their parents were living in Portugal at the time of birth, and they have lived in the country for the past 5 years and learned the language.
It is important to note that a child’s Portuguese citizenship does not grant any migration privileges to their parents. This means that the mother and father will not be able to obtain Portuguese passports under simplified conditions.
If you are planning to obtain a second citizenship quickly for your child or your entire family, Portugal is unlikely to be the right choice—its legislation is geared toward those planning to settle in the country. Alternatively, consider Brazil, where unconditional jus soli applies and a citizen’s parents can naturalize in just 1 year. iWorld specialists are available to answer your questions and discuss other options in more detail during your consultation.
Obtaining a Portuguese passport does not cancel a child’s right to citizenship in their parents’ country. Portugal allows multiple citizenships. This means that you don’t need to renounce your other passport to obtain a Portuguese one.
For the child to become a citizen of your country of origin, you must:
- obtain a Portuguese birth certificate;
- have it officially translated and, if required, apostilled by the Portuguese Attorney General’s Office;
- contact the consulate of your country (for example, in Lisbon or Porto); There, your child will be registered as a citizen and issued a passport.
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How to obtain Portuguese citizenship for a newborn
If the parents have met the 1-year residency requirement in Portugal, the procedure for the child to obtain citizenship by birth is as follows:
- Obtain a birth certificate from the maternity hospital
Immediately after birth, the medical staff will issue you a birth certificate. Make sure all parental information is correct and matches your passport details.
- Registration (within 20 days)
You must register the birth of your child and claim citizenship at the hospital (through the Nascer Cidadão counter) or online (through the Justiça.gov.pt portal). In the latter case, a Portuguese digital signature is required. You can also apply at any Conservatória do Registo Civil branch (the equivalent of a civil registry office). When you register, you submit a request to have your child recognized as a Portuguese citizen by birth.
- Obtain a birth certificate
After your data is processed, you will receive a paper and electronic birth certificate. This document will confirm that your child is Portuguese. This document is issued free of charge.
- Obtain an ID card
At this stage, the child will receive their Cartão de Cidadão, or Card of Citizenship, which is a basic document containing a photograph and all government identification numbers (tax, social security, and patient numbers). You can request the card when you register the child. A color photograph is required. You can pick up the card in person or have it delivered to your address. The first card is free for children under 1 year of age. The ID card allows travel throughout the European Union.
- Obtain a passport
For travel outside the EU, you can apply for a Portuguese passport for your child. You can obtain the document at the civil registry office or the Loja do Cidadão office. The cost ranges from EUR 65 to EUR 135, depending on the urgency and the location of collection (mainland or island).
How to obtain a residence permit in Portugal before the birth of a child
If you plan to obtain Portuguese citizenship for your child, it’s worth considering an immigration strategy before even becoming pregnant. Parents must obtain a residence permit in advance and live in Portugal for at least 1 year.
Another advantage of residency is preferential access to public healthcare. With a residence permit card and a patient identification number, childbirth in public hospitals is free. Only those with a residence permit are eligible for prenatal benefits and childcare payments.
Portugal offers several popular relocation incentives suitable for different types of families:
- A work residence permit is chosen by foreigners who have found an employer in the country. It is valid for up to 2 years and can be renewed for 3 years each time.
- Foreigners who receive income from abroad (equaling at least EUR 920 per month) can stay in Portugal with a residence permit for financially independent individuals. This income can be from dividends, rental income, or assets.
- Digital nomads can live in Portugal if they can prove a monthly salary of at least EUR 3,680. It is important that the employer is located outside of Portugal.
- An investment residence permit is suitable for foreigners who plan to invest in Portugal. The minimum investment amount is EUR 250,000.
- Opening a new company in Portugal entitles a foreigner to an entrepreneurial residence permit, which is valid for up to 2 years. This permit can then be renewed for 3 years each time.
- Other options include an EU Blue Card for highly qualified specialists. Those admitted to a Portuguese university can apply for a student residence permit. Foreigners with relatives who are residents or citizens of Portugal can apply for a residence permit for family reunification.
Where can you obtain citizenship by birth without prior residency?
If you don’t plan to live abroad before or after the birth of your child, some countries automatically issue a passport to the infant upon birth, regardless of how long the parents have lived there.
Argentina remains one of the most popular destinations due to its high level of free and paid healthcare, as well as its extremely lenient legislation. The child becomes a citizen immediately, and the parents can apply for permanent residency. After just two years, they can obtain Argentine citizenship. An Argentine passport grants visa-free entry to 161 countries, including the Schengen Area, the UK, and Japan. It also allows you to obtain a 10-year U.S. visa.
Brazil attracts visitors with its high-quality private healthcare, which is comparable to that in Europe and Israel, especially in São Paulo and Curitiba. Newborns receive citizenship automatically, and parents and older siblings can obtain residence permits and apply for citizenship after one year. The Brazilian passport consistently ranks among the top 20 globally, offering visa-free access to 163 countries, including those in the Schengen Area and Japan. It also grants visa-free entry to New Zealand.
Chile is considered the most stable and economically developed country in the region, with healthcare comparable to that in the United States. Children receive passports at birth, and parents can apply for permanent residency after one year and citizenship after the same period. The main advantage of a Chilean passport is that it is the only Latin American passport that grants visa-free entry to the United States through the Visa Waiver Program. It also allows for visa-free travel to Canada, the Schengen Area, and the United Kingdom (160 countries in total).
The table below presents a comparison of the terms, conditions and costs of childbirth in each country:
| Criteria | Argentina | Brazil | Chile | Portugal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unconditional birthright citizenship | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Citizenship eligibility for parents | After 2 years | After 1 year | After 2 years | After 5 years |
| Childbirth costs, $ | 3,000–6,000 | From 5,000 | 4,000–6,000 | 3,500–7,000 |
| Visa-free destinations with passport | 161 | 163 | 160 | 173 |
Organizing a birth abroad independently is quite a complex undertaking. First, you need to choose a suitable clinic. Then, you must organize the entire process and complete the paperwork properly. Our specialists provide comprehensive support throughout the entire process, from booking tickets to obtaining birth certificates and passports for the child and documents for the parents. Submit a request, and we will contact you for a detailed consultation.
Giving Birth Abroad
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