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Lifetti covers Spain, Germany, France, Netherlands, and Italy with country-specific crisis guides and bureaucracy checklists for expats.

How long is parental leave in Spain in 2025?

Each parent receives 16 weeks of paid parental leave at 100% of salary, regardless of gender. This equal leave came into effect in 2021, making Spain one of Europe's most progressive countries. The first 6 weeks are mandatory for each parent immediately after birth and must be taken full-time. The remaining 10 weeks can be taken part-time or full-time within the first year. Parents can take leave simultaneously or consecutively. Leave is paid by Social Security (INSS), not the employer.

When must I register the birth in Spain?

You should register the birth within 72 hours at the Registro Civil, though this extends to 10 days if the hospital submits notification electronically (which most do). After 10 days, registration requires a judicial process which adds delays and complexity. The hospital provides a medical birth certificate immediately after delivery. Many hospitals have a Registro Civil office on-site for convenience. You receive the birth certificate and Libro de Familia at registration. Early registration is critical as you need these documents for all subsequent procedures.

How much does having a baby cost in Spain?

In the public healthcare system, pregnancy, birth, and all pediatric care are completely free, making the total cost €30-100 for optional items like passport and will updates. Private hospital birth costs €2,000-5,000 but includes more amenities and English-speaking staff. Parental leave is paid at 100% salary by Social Security. The €100/month tax deduction for working mothers provides €3,600 total over 3 years. Public daycare costs €100-400/month income-based, while private runs €400-800/month.

What is the Libro de Familia?

The Libro de Familia (Family Book) is an official government document recording your family composition - marriage, children, and changes. It is issued free at the Registro Civil when you register your first child (or at marriage). You need it for almost all family-related administrative procedures: school enrollment, healthcare registration, passport applications, benefits claims, and more. Keep it safe as replacement requires documentation. It is updated when you have more children or family status changes.

Can foreigners access parental leave in Spain?

Yes, all employees legally working in Spain - regardless of nationality - qualify for the 16 weeks of paid parental leave if they have contributed to Social Security. You need at least 180 days of Social Security contributions in the last 7 years, or 360 days total ever. Self-employed workers (autónomos) also qualify if current on Social Security payments. EU citizens and legal residents follow identical procedures to Spanish nationals. The leave is paid by INSS at 100% of your average contribution base.

What tax benefits are available for new parents in Spain?

Working mothers receive a €100/month tax deduction (deducción por maternidad) for each child under 3 years old, totaling €1,200 annually or €3,600 per child. Apply through Agencia Tributaria using Model 140. You can receive it as monthly advance payments or annual lump sum with your tax return. Low-income families (under approximately €25,000/year) also qualify for monthly child benefits around €100/month. Large families (3+ children) receive additional benefits and discounts on utilities, transport, and services.

What documents do I need to register a birth in Spain?

You need: both parents' DNI/NIE (ID), the medical birth certificate from the hospital (certificado médico de nacimiento), marriage certificate if the parents are married (for the Libro de Familia), and proof of registration if married abroad. Unmarried parents both must appear in person to register paternity unless one signs a declaration at the hospital. The hospital provides the medical certificate automatically. At registration, you receive the official birth certificate (partida de nacimiento) and Libro de Familia.

How does public daycare work in Spain?

Public daycare (escuela infantil or guardería) serves children aged 0-3 years with income-based fees typically €100-400/month. It is managed by regional governments and town halls, so availability and cost vary significantly by location. Waitlists can exceed 1 year in major cities - apply as early as possible, even before birth in some regions. Acceptance criteria prioritize low-income families, large families, single parents, and local residents (empadronamiento). Private daycare costs €400-800/month with better availability but no income adjustments.

Having a Baby in Spain: Guide 2025

Quick Overview

When having a baby in Spain, you must register the birth at the Registro Civil within 72 hours (or 10 days if hospital notifies) to obtain the birth certificate and Libro de Familia (Family Book). Both parents receive 16 weeks of paid parental leave at 100% salary since the 2021 equality reform, with the first 6 weeks mandatory immediately after birth. Total administrative costs are minimal (€30-100) as healthcare, birth registration, and social security registration are all free. Spain offers generous parental support including €100/month tax deduction for working mothers (deducción por maternidad), income-based child benefits, and universal free public healthcare from birth.

Key Facts

Parental leave

16 weeks each parent at 100% salary (equality since 2021)

Birth registration deadline

72 hours ideal / 10 days maximum before judicial process required

Total costs

€30-100 (passport, notary) - most services free

Healthcare

Free public healthcare from birth (Tarjeta Sanitaria)

Tax benefits

€100/month deduction for working mothers (children under 3)

Government agencies

Registro Civil, INSS (Social Security), Centro de Salud

How It Works

Having a Baby in Spain

Spain provides comprehensive support for new parents through universal public healthcare, generous parental leave, and free administrative services. The birth must be registered at the Registro Civil within 72 hours (extending to 10 days if the hospital files notification), creating the birth certificate and issuing the Libro de Familia (Family Book), the foundational family document. The baby is registered for free public healthcare at the local Centro de Salud, receiving a Tarjeta Sanitaria (health card) for access to pediatricians and vaccinations. Both parents receive equal parental leave rights - 16 weeks each at 100% salary paid by Social Security (INSS), with the first 6 weeks mandatory for each parent immediately after birth. This 2021 reform made Spain a European leader in gender equality for parental leave. Working mothers also receive a €100/month tax deduction (deducción por maternidad) for children under 3, claimed through Agencia Tributaria. Low-income families qualify for additional monthly child benefits. The baby must be registered at the town hall (empadronamiento) to access local services, schools, and regional benefits. Spain's unique advantage is the combination of equal parental leave, free universal healthcare from birth, and the Libro de Familia system which streamlines all family-related administrative procedures.

Critical steps right after birth

Register birth at Civil Registry

Official birth registration within 72 hours (or 10 days if hospital reports).

Request Family Book (Libro de Familia)

Official record of your family unit.

Important registrations and notifications

Get baby's health card (Tarjeta Sanitaria)

Register baby with Social Security

Add baby as beneficiary for healthcare coverage.

Schedule first pediatrician appointment

Initial check-up usually within first week.

Benefits applications and work arrangements

Apply for maternity leave (if not already)

16 weeks paid leave for birth mother.

Apply for paternity leave

16 weeks paid leave for other parent.

Apply for birth deduction (Deducción por maternidad)

€100/month tax deduction for working mothers.

Apply for child benefit (if eligible)

Monthly benefit for low-income families.

Register baby at town hall (Empadronamiento)

Official residence registration.

Other important registrations

Apply for baby's passport (if needed)

Required for international travel.

Add baby to insurance policies

Update health, life, and home insurance.

Update wills and guardianship

Designate guardians for your child.

Get on daycare waitlists

Public daycare (escuela infantil) has long waitlists.

Having a Baby Costs in Spain (2025)

Hospital birth (public)Free

Covered by public healthcare

Hospital birth (private)€2,000-5,000

Private hospital with more amenities

Birth registration (Registro Civil)Free

Official birth certificate

Libro de FamiliaFree

Family Book issuance

Health card (Tarjeta Sanitaria)Free

Public healthcare registration

Social Security registrationFree

Baby as beneficiary

Pediatrician visits (public)Free

All checkups and vaccinations free

Pediatrician visits (private)€80-150 per visit

If using private healthcare

Baby passport€30

Valid for 2 years for infants

Updated wills/guardianship€50-150

Notary fees for estate planning

Empadronamiento (town registration)Free

Required for local services

Public daycare (escuela infantil)€100-400/month

Income-based fees, long waitlists

Private daycare€400-800/month

More availability, higher cost

Total

€30-100 for public system / €2,500-6,000 if using private hospital and healthcare

Service	Cost	Notes
Hospital birth (public)	Free	Covered by public healthcare
Hospital birth (private)	€2,000-5,000	Private hospital with more amenities
Birth registration (Registro Civil)	Free	Official birth certificate
Libro de Familia	Free	Family Book issuance
Health card (Tarjeta Sanitaria)	Free	Public healthcare registration
Social Security registration	Free	Baby as beneficiary
Pediatrician visits (public)	Free	All checkups and vaccinations free
Pediatrician visits (private)	€80-150 per visit	If using private healthcare
Baby passport	€30	Valid for 2 years for infants
Updated wills/guardianship	€50-150	Notary fees for estate planning
Empadronamiento (town registration)	Free	Required for local services
Public daycare (escuela infantil)	€100-400/month	Income-based fees, long waitlists
Private daycare	€400-800/month	More availability, higher cost
Total estimate	€30-100 for public system / €2,500-6,000 if using private hospital and healthcare

*Spain's public healthcare covers all pregnancy, birth, and pediatric care at no cost. Parental leave is paid at 100% salary by Social Security. Most families pay nothing except optional passport (€30). Private options available for those preferring shorter wait times. Prices current as of January 2025.

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Having a Baby

Key Facts

How It Works

First 72 Hours

Register birth at Civil Registry

Request Family Book (Libro de Familia)

First Week

Get baby's health card (Tarjeta Sanitaria)

Register baby with Social Security

Schedule first pediatrician appointment

First Month

Apply for maternity leave (if not already)

Apply for paternity leave

Apply for birth deduction (Deducción por maternidad)

Apply for child benefit (if eligible)

Register baby at town hall (Empadronamiento)

Additional Steps

Apply for baby's passport (if needed)

Add baby to insurance policies

Update wills and guardianship

Get on daycare waitlists

Having a Baby Costs in Spain (2025)

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Key Facts

How It Works

0%ImmediateFirst 72 Hours0 of 2 tasks completed

First 72 Hours

Register birth at Civil Registry

Request Family Book (Libro de Familia)

0%Week 1First Week0 of 3 tasks completed

First Week

Get baby's health card (Tarjeta Sanitaria)

Register baby with Social Security

Schedule first pediatrician appointment

0%Month 1-2First Month0 of 5 tasks completed

First Month

Apply for maternity leave (if not already)

Apply for paternity leave

Apply for birth deduction (Deducción por maternidad)

Apply for child benefit (if eligible)

Register baby at town hall (Empadronamiento)

0%AdministrativeAdditional Steps0 of 4 tasks completed

Additional Steps

Apply for baby's passport (if needed)

Add baby to insurance policies

Update wills and guardianship

Get on daycare waitlists

Having a Baby Costs in Spain (2025)

Get Checklist via Email

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