How much does it cost to have a baby when you’re an expatriate? This is a crucial question when it comes to choosing the right international health insurance for optimum coverage. Becoming a parent is an extraordinary adventure, but one that requires careful preparation. Here are a few points to consider when giving birth as an expatriate.
You’ll need to take into account the conditions for giving birth abroad. They vary enormously from country to country. Having the opportunity to be accompanied by maternity experts is a plus for peace of mind. As pregnancy is not an illness, many countries do not cover it in their health insurance. There may also be the question of dual nationality, or whether you want your baby to be born in France for family reasons.
How much does childbirth cost around the world?
The cost of childbirth varies enormously from country to country. In France, medical expenses related to maternity and childbirth are covered at 100% by social security. Worldwide, this is more the exception than the rule.
In China, for example, a delivery in the private sector costs between €4,000 and €6,400. It’s also worth noting that in many countries, there is no social security system, and aschildbirth is considered “natural”, it doesn’t fall into the category of illness: all medical expenses are therefore borne by the future parents.
The bill can quickly mount up, from visits to the gynecologist to ultrasound scans to prenatal delivery sessions… Being well covered by your mutual health insurance avoids unpleasant surprises and gives you peace of mind, and is therefore essential.
As you can see, the cost of childbirth varies from country to country. It also varies according to the medical procedures performed and the complexity of the delivery. The price will differ, for example, if the delivery requires an epidural or not, if it takes place at home or in a clinic, or if you give birth in a private or public clinic.
Comparison table: Giving birth worldwide vs. in France
| Country | Average cost of childbirth | Access to epidural | Length of hospital stay | Local particularities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | 0 € (covered by French health insurance) | Yes, very affordable | 3 to 5 days | Delivery often in public maternity hospitals |
| Netherlands | ~2 590 € | Uncommon | A few hours | Frequent home births, post-natal care at home |
| Germany | 1 590 – 2 146 € | Available but less systematic | A few hours to 1 day | Natural materials (baths, vines, etc.), low level of medicalization |
| United States | 10,000 – 15,000 € (vaginal route) | Yes, often proposed | 6 to 24 h depending on hospital | Very high cost, little reimbursed without appropriate expatriate insurance |
| China (private) | 4 000 – 6 400 € | Often included | 2 to 5 days | Dual system: public/private with wide quality gap |
| Brazil | ~2 000 – 4 000 € | Yes | 2 to 4 days | Very high caesarean rate (up to 80% in the private sector) |
| Japan | 3 000 – 6 000 € | Very expensive | 4 to 7 days | Traditional, highly codified care, few epidurals |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | 50 – 300 € (depending on country) | Rarely available | 0 to 2 days | Limited access to WHO care, traditional birth attendants common |
So, is it better to give birth in France or in your country of expatriation?
Many factors come into play, but above all it’s a personal choice that belongs to you alone.
Be sure to study the healthcare system in your country of expatriation. Pregnancy follow-up may differ from one country to another (number of gynecological consultations, ultrasounds, etc.). Some countries don’t offer the same quality of service and infrastructure as you’ll find in France, so it’s important to be well informed. A good expatriate health insurance policy will guarantee you the same level of reimbursement as in France, even in the event of complications. All without co-payments or out-of-pocket expenses.
You may also want to consider whether you want your child to be born in your country of expatriation, so that he or she can benefit from dual nationality (note: for your child to obtain dual nationality, find out about the conditions in your country of expatriation. Droit du sol is not in force everywhere). Some parents-to-be also prefer to give birth in their country of origin, to be closer to their family and friends. It’s a magical moment that you may want to share with your family.
Make an appointment with one of our international health experts to discuss your situation and get the best advice.
What is maternity like in the rest of the world?
Around the world, women do not experience maternity and childbirth in the same way. Not only costs, but also hospitalization times, access to epidurals or Caesarean sections, and the length of maternity leave, are very different from one country to another. Here’s a look at what it’s like in some countries.
The Netherlands:
In the Netherlands, home births are favored and account for 30% of births, compared with 2% on average in Europe. There is also limited medicalization of low-risk pregnancies. When the birth takes place in hospital (whether by choice or necessity), mothers stay for a few hours after the birth. In the days that follow, a “Kraamverzorgster”, a combination of midwife and caregiver, comes to give the mother advice on breastfeeding, caring for the baby and helping with material tasks. A midwife is also on hand in the days that follow to check that all is well. The average cost of a normal birth is 2,590 euros.
Germany
The trend is towards natural childbirth. The medical profession makes every effort to ensure that expectant mothers feel as comfortable as possible during childbirth (baths, birthing chairs, vines to hold on to…). It’s quite normal to find this type of equipment in German clinics, maternity wards and hospitals. Childbirth is less medicalized than in France, but you’ll need to go home a few hours afterwards. A vaginal delivery costs between €1,590 and €2,146. Local insurance does not cover all costs.
USA
This is one of the most expensive countries in the world in which to become a parent. Practitioners’ fees are very high, and often not reimbursed. You can expect to pay upwards of 10,000 euros for a vaginal delivery in a private clinic, with little or no reimbursement from local insurance. As an expatriate, if you wish to become a mother in the United States, it is highly recommended that you take out a suitable health insurance policy. If the delivery goes well and you’re in good health, you’ll be discharged a few hours later. For more information on childbirth in the United States, read our case study.
As you can see, every country has its own customs when it comes to pediatrics and childbirth, from the length of parental leave for both mother and father, to access to epidurals and care, and gynecological follow-up.
To conclude our tour of the world of motherhood, it is interesting to note that in Africa, only five countries have access to the care recommended by the WHO (World Health Organization) during pregnancy. In the West, mothers-to-be have much greater freedom of choice as to how they want their pregnancy to unfold: epidural, Caesarean section, home birth, etc. In Brazil, Caesarean sections are very common. It’s also worth pointing out that costs are very different: for example, access to an epidural is extremely expensive in Japan. So it’s important to take all these factors into account before you leave France, so that you can give birth in another country with complete peace of mind.
