Healthcare for Pregnant Expats in Spain: Public vs Private Maternity Options

Spain is renowned for its excellent healthcare, and maternity services contribute greatly to this reputation. For those living abroad, understanding how pregnancy care works can help in choosing the right approach for a smooth maternity experience.

Public Maternity Care in Spain

Anyone who is lawfully resident in Spain and paying into the social security system can access free maternity care at public health centers and hospitals. Comprehensive maternity services typically include:

• Regular appointments with a gynecologist or midwife
• Multiple ultrasound scans (usually 3–4)
• Blood work and screening tests
• Prenatal classes and group education
• Hospital birth and care for newborns
• Follow-up checks for both mother and baby after birth

Spanish public hospitals are well prepared for emergencies and have excellent facilities for newborns who need extra support. However, public maternity care tends to offer less personal choice than many expats may be accustomed to. It’s common to not choose your doctor or midwife and to share a recovery room with other mothers. Partners might not be allowed to stay overnight, and arranging non-urgent appointments can sometimes require patience.

Private Maternity Care in Spain

Many expat families opt for private maternity care, valuing features such as shorter waiting times, the chance to select your obstetrician and hospital, and access to private recovery rooms or extra amenities such as birthing pools and modern pain relief options. Private clinics commonly employ English-speaking staff, helping to ease communication worries for those still learning Spanish.

Private insurance may also mean more scans, options for advanced prenatal testing, and the ability to see the same doctor throughout your journey. For those seeking personalized attention and the reassurance of comfort, going private is often the favored path.

Combining Public and Private Maternity Care

It’s very common to use both systems at different stages—perhaps opting for the familiarity and flexibility of private care for most check-ups, while relying on the public system for any unexpected emergencies. This “dual” approach provides the benefits of both types of care but may require some extra organization to coordinate appointments and paperwork.

Understanding Costs

If you do not have private insurance, you’ll be responsible for the full cost of private maternity care. Sample prices include:

• Gynecologist consultation: €80–150
• Single ultrasound: €80–120
• Uncomplicated hospital birth: €3,000–5,000
• Caesarean section: €5,000–8,000

Extra scans, prenatal classes, and hospital add-ons can quickly increase the overall bill, so many parents-to-be choose comprehensive private medical insurance before conceiving. Keep in mind that most insurers require an 8–12 month waiting period for pregnancy and birth cover, so early planning is vital.

Maternity Timeline in Spain

• First Trimester: Early check-ups, first blood tests, and an initial ultrasound around week 12
• Second Trimester: Anatomy scan (generally at week 20), midwife visits, continuing screenings, and the start of prenatal classes
• Third Trimester: Growth monitoring, hospital registration, and labor preparation sessions
• Delivery: Most births occur in hospitals, with epidural pain relief widely available. Water births and alternative options are mostly offered privately.
• Postnatal: Six to eight weeks after birth brings final checks for mother and baby, and the vaccination schedule begins at local clinics

New for 2025: Parental Leave in Spain

Spain’s family policies now offer 17 weeks of paid leave per parent after childbirth. Single parents are eligible for a total of 32 weeks. In addition, each parent of children born after August 2024 receives two extra weeks of flexible leave to use before their child turns eight. The government plans to extend leave even further in the coming years, showing its support for growing families.

Insurance Tips for Expats

• Check qualification periods with private insurers before switching plans or if you are newly arrived.
• For complicated pregnancies, caesarean births, or neonatal intensive care, verify what level of cover is included.
• Visa requirements often stipulate full private health insurance. Policy documents should clearly state maternity and birth coverage with no co-pays.

Hospital Options for Birth in Spain

• Major public hospitals (e.g., La Paz in Madrid, Clínic in Barcelona) are highly rated, but assign doctors/rooms randomly and offer shared wards
• Private clinics (e.g., Quirónsalud, Ruber Internacional, Vithas) provide extra privacy, English-speaking teams, and a higher degree of flexibility

Cultural & Language Tips

Spain’s health system is safe and modern, but norms may differ from your home country. In the public sector, labor wards are efficient but communal, and birth plans are possible but adapted in emergencies. Private hospitals are more likely to accommodate partner stays, extra comforts, and special requests. If you are not yet fluent, using private services with English-speaking staff can make a big difference for peace of mind.

Aftercare for Mother and Baby

Regular health checks and vaccinations for your baby are organized at local public health centers. Private and public hospitals may also have midwives available for advice on breastfeeding and postnatal recovery. Private clinics frequently offer added options, like sessions with lactation consultants or physiotherapists supporting new mothers’ well-being.

Why Expats Prefer Private Health Insurance

• Access to English-speaking professionals and choice of hospital
• Consistent care from the same gynecologist throughout pregnancy
• Timely appointments, extra comfort, and the possibility of a private room
• Coverage for additional medical tests and prenatal services
• Meets residency and visa requirements for most expats

Sanitas Health Insurance for Expats

If you’re preparing to welcome a baby in Spain, private health cover can provide a smoother, more personalized experience. With Sanitas, you benefit from leading hospitals, quick appointment times, and experienced English-speaking specialists. Support is available at every step, from prenatal checks to delivery and postnatal care.

Find the right Sanitas health insurance for your pregnancy here

Sources:

Spanish Ministry of Health

Ministerio de Sanidad

World Health Organization

Also based on updates from Spain’s Ministry for Social Inclusion and leading health insurance providers in 2025.