Pregnancy Care and Delivery

Hello All, 

I am going to set up my business in Costa Blanca on the middle of May. I am EU citizen Irish resident with my son but my wife is Non-EU citizen, Irish resident. She and my son will follow me to Spain in July but until this time I will start to pay contribution to the Spanish Social Security as self employed sole trader.

My wife is pregnant and she has to give birth on the end of August. I am wondering if the Spanish Social Security will cover the expenses of the birth if I start to pay the contribution a few month before for three of us, or if I can pay for all my family if the are still not in Spain and still do not have the NIE Number.

Unfortunately private insurance is not a solution as we are too late; to cover antenatal pregnancy care and delivery has to be insured at Private Insurance companies at least 10-12 month before the delivery.

If there is no other option does someone know what does it cost a delivery in Spain if i want to pay it directly to the hospital? (I know that it is pretty bad question as impossible to know if there will be some complication etc, just to have an idea about the prices)

If somebody can give me some information regarding this query it is much appreciated.

John 

Hi John

I had paid in around 6 months social security when I fell pregnant and it covered my entire pregnancy and the birth. Also,my friend paid a private,English speaking doctor for her entire pregnancy and birth and it cost around 3000Euro I think.

I cannot say enough for the Spanish health care system. In my opinion I had not paid in much money but they looked after me so well. I gave birth in the Costa del Sol hospital and I had a private room,with my own bathroom and a balcony looking at the sea! They brought me lovely,fresh food and took care of us so well. I also got far more check ups and blood tests than my friends who were pregnant in the UK. My husband loved the fact that there was a bar in the hospital where he could have a pint and a breather while I was in labour!!

Hope this helps a little John. I'm sure others (Maria!) can give you more of an idea of your legal rights. This is just my personal experience.

Hope it all goes well for you all

 Hi Vicci, 

Thanks for your reply, it opens me some light and hope that we can manage with this problem. Same to your experience I am not to happy with the Irish pregnancy care they do not do the basic exams which are obligatory in all EU countries even on the Far-East (f.e. AFP - Down Syndrome Exam) Almost on the mid-term still did not check gynecologist my wife we are waiting for the appointment... Good to hear that in Spain it is better and possible. 

Thanks again, all the best to you and to your family, 

John

Dear all:

You can have your whole pregnancy and delivery birth in Spain attended just because of being a human being.. is it no fantastic? Just register with the Health Services ( just padron is needed for this: local registration) .. and ask for a  general practicioner doctor to be appointed for you. He will drive you to the required specialists and they will prepare you for child delivery.

You may find these articles interesting reading:

http://www.eyeonspain.com/blogs/costaluz/1083/legal-tip-26--overview-of-the-health-system-in-spain.aspx

http://www.eyeonspain.com/blogs/costaluz/949/legal-tips-7-maternity-benefits.aspx

http://www.eyeonspain.com/blogs/costaluz/1031/legal-tip-20-right-to-health-care-of-foreigners-in-spain.aspx

Best regards,

Maria L. de Castro

 Hello Maria, 

Thanks for your information and for the web-address's you have sent me, I read them and got great information what looks to solve our problem and over this just make stronger our respect and love to Spain. 

Regards, 

John

 That is great!