Spain or Chile? The best country for childbirth

Healthcare quality

Spain is among the world’s top countries for healthcare quality. According to the Numbeo ranking, the destination ranks 10th out of 97 countries. The government allocates 6.5% of its GDP, approximately EUR 98 billion annually, to healthcare. This is why Spanish healthcare is considered one of the most developed in the world, not just in Europe.

Childbirth in Spain takes place in clinics equipped with modern technology. Most hospitals have neonatal intensive care units. Doctors, midwives, and nurses are present during labor. Expectant mothers are asked to fill out a birth plan, detailing their preferences regarding clothing during birth, anesthesia, medical interventions, and newborn care. Private clinics offer alternative birthing options, including home and water births.

In international healthcare quality rankings, Chile ranks 52nd out of 97 countries. Among all countries in North and South America,> however, the country ranks 10th out of 17. All Chilean clinics adhere to international pregnancy and childbirth protocols and have modern equipment. Most doctors were educated or completed advanced training abroad, so they understand and speak English.

Compared to Spain, Chilean clinics offer comprehensive medical services. Women in labor receive full support, including an interpreter. Chile prioritizes a personalized approach to each expectant mother, while Spain emphasizes a more generalized European approach.

Cost of childbirth in Spain vs. Chile

Free childbirth is available only at public clinics in Chile and Spain, and only for residents with local insurance. Insurance may partially cover costs at private hospitals, but a surcharge of 20% to 60% will still apply.

Comparing childbirth and additional examination costs in Chile and Spain:

Compared to Spain, giving birth in Chile is cheaper in almost every way. Birth tourism is popular there, and many private clinics offer package deals for expectant mothers that include hospital stays, meals, and all necessary medical care.

Childbirth organization

If you’ve decided to give birth abroad, it’s important to organize the entire process wisely:

1. Choose a clinic.
   Visit the hospitals’ official websites and social media pages. Make sure the facilities are licensed and accredited, preferably with international recognition such as Joint Commission International (JCI). This confirms their compliance with high safety and quality standards. Check if the clinics cater to foreigners and inspect the condition of the rooms. Also, verify if there’s an emergency department for mothers and babies and read about the doctors. Popular clinics among visitors in Spain include Teknon Medical Center and Clinica Universidad de Navarra, while Clinica Alemana and Clinica Las Condes are popular in Chile. Contact a clinic representative and sign a contract. Some hospitals offer an initial online consultation, which allows you to clarify details before signing a contract.
2. Apply for a visa.
   Third-country nationals who choose to give birth in Spain must obtain a Type C visa, which is valid for 90 days. Indicate «treatment» as the purpose of your trip and provide the clinic contract as proof. If you choose Chile as your birth destination, you do not need a visa. You can stay in the country for up to 3 months, which is usually sufficient time for the birth and subsequent recovery.

3. Prepare the documents.
   Consult your doctor in advance so they can compile your pregnancy history and include all test and ultrasound results. These documents must be translated into Spanish so that the doctor in Spain or Chile can evaluate your condition. Don’t forget to get your doctor’s permission to fly. You’ll need to show this certificate at the airport.
4. Find accommodation.
   Plan your accommodations. Choose a neighborhood preferably within walking distance of your clinic so you won’t have to wait for a taxi. Apartment rent in Chile is significantly cheaper than in Spain. For example, a one-bedroom apartment in Madrid costs around EUR 1,300 per month, whereas in Santiago, it costs EUR 460. You can rent through an agency or contact the owner directly through a specialized website.
5. Flights.
   If you’re pregnant with a singleton and plan to fly between 28 and 35 weeks (or between 28 and 31 weeks if you’re pregnant with multiples), be sure to obtain a doctor’s note — most airlines require one. After 36 weeks (or 32 weeks if you’re carrying multiples), you may not be allowed to board.
6. Arrive in the country.
   Inspect the apartment you’ve rented, then sign a formal contract with the owner. Visit the clinic you’ve chosen. Ask for a tour, and inquire about all aspects of childbirth. Meet with the doctor. Take care of your daily needs. Buy a crib, stroller, and all the necessary newborn care products and hygiene supplies, such as diapers, wipes, oils, powders, and saline nasal spray.
7. After birth.
   Get your baby vaccinated, if desired. In Spain, it is recommended that newborns be vaccinated against hepatitis B and respiratory syncytial virus. In Chile, doctors recommend vaccinations against hepatitis B, monkeypox, respiratory syncytial virus, and BCG (against tuberculosis). Be sure to obtain a birth certificate from the hospital, as it is needed for registration and issuance of the birth certificate.

Citizenship by birth

Spain does not have a jus soli system, so your child will not receive citizenship unless you are a citizen. A newborn acquires citizenship if one of the following is true:

• one of the parents was also born in Spain;
• the mother and father are stateless;
• neither parent can transmit their status to the child under the laws of their home country.

You and your child can only obtain a Spanish passport through naturalization, which requires living in the jurisdiction for at least 10 years.

Unlike Spain, Chile has a more lenient immigration policy. According to the Chilean Constitution, all children born in the country automatically acquire citizenship, and their parents receive permanent residency. After 2 years, the mother and father can apply for a passport. Argentina’s immigration policy is similar: a child becomes a citizen immediately upon birth, and their parents receive permanent residency. After 2 years, the parents can also apply for citizenship.

In Spain, you can obtain a birth certificate directly at the clinic; the staff submits the application within 72 hours of the birth. If the hospital does not provide this service, you must apply in person at the civil registry office no later than the 10th day after the birth. In exceptional cases, this period may be extended to 1 month. You must provide:

• an application;
• a medical report of the birth;
• identification documents for the parents, family register, or marriage certificate.

The birth certificate is issued free of charge.

In Chile, birth certificates are issued at the hospital where the birth took place. However, you can also obtain the document in person at the civil registry office. To register, you must provide a certificate from the hospital, the parents’ passports, and a marriage certificate. Like Spanish ones, Chilean birth certificates are issued free of charge.

Language barrier

English proficiency is relatively low in Spain, which ranks 26th out of 35 European countries. Consequently, English-speaking doctors are scarce in public clinics. However, in private hospitals in tourist cities such as Barcelona, Madrid, Asturias, and Catalonia, the staff is more likely to speak English. If you plan to give birth in Spain, however, we recommend arranging an interpreter from the start. Currently, simultaneous interpretation services start at EUR 450 for 4 hours and EUR 750 for 8 hours.

The situation with the English language is much better in Chile. Among 21 Latin American countries, Chile ranks 8th in English proficiency. Most doctors at clinics that focus on maternity tourism speak English. However, if you choose a hospital where the staff does not speak English, you can hire a translator for 140 Chilean pesos for 8 hours of work.

Quality of life

According to Numbeo, an international agency Spain is among the top countries in terms of living standards, ranking 18th out of 88 countries and ahead of the UK, Lithuania, and Canada. Pros:

• Mild Mediterranean climate beneficial for pregnant women and newborns (the coastal areas of Barcelona have low air pollution levels).
• Clinics are located in areas with developed infrastructure and convenient transportation.
• Low infant mortality rate, as hospitals employ highly qualified doctors and have modern equipment.

Disadvantages of giving birth in Spain can include the need to hire a translator to accompany you to medical appointments, as well as high prices for medical services.

In terms of quality of life, Chile is inferior to Spain, ranking 72nd in the Numbeo international ranking. However, it is safe to live in the Latin American country because it has one of the lowest crime rates in the region. A pregnant woman does not need to worry when walking in the evening in one of Santiago’s best parks, Araucano, for example.

For a healthy pregnancy and successful childbirth, expectant mothers need to breathe fresh air and eat properly. Chile has ideal conditions for this. In the winter, the daytime temperature never drops below +14 °C, while fresh vegetables and fruits without nitrates are always available at the market. Air pollution levels are low, even in Santiago, due to the country’s low population density and isolated geographical location.

5 reasons to give birth in Chile

Chile is one of the most popular destinations in the world for maternity tourism. According to the latest data, 1 in 5 children is born to foreign women, and there are several reasons for this:

• The right to citizenship for the child and parents.
  Chile is one of the few countries where you can organize a childbirth and obtain citizenship for the child. In just two years, parents will also be able to obtain a passport. Chilean citizenship gives you the right to travel visa-free to over 160 countries worldwide and even immigrate to the United States under a simplified procedure.
• Low infant mortality rate.
  According to the World Bank, the rate is 6 per 1,000 births. This is thanks to a high level of medical education, mandatory regular certification of doctors (including abroad), and the modern equipment in clinics that facilitates the timely detection of pathologies.
• Affordable price.
  Even in private Chilean clinics, childbirth is 70% cheaper than in Europe or the U.S. At the same time, the quality of medicine and hospital equipment is on par with that of more developed countries.
• Low living costs.
  For a comfortable stay in Chile, EUR 600 per month per person is enough, with apartments renting for EUR 410 per month. For comparison, in Spain, you need a minimum of EUR 720, and housing will cost at least EUR 920. Additionally, according to Numbeo, food prices in Chile are much lower than in the US, Canada, and most European countries.

Foreigners choose Chile for childbirth not only because of the optimal cost, but also because of the high-quality medicine. This country provides the fastest route to a second passport, as does Argentina.