How Much Does It Cost to Give Birth in Portugal?
Your Complete Guide to Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum Expenses
Are you considering having a baby in Portugal? Whether you’re already pregnant in Portugal, planning to be, or just exploring your options, understanding the cost of giving birth in Portugal is essential for international families relocating. Portugal offers a unique combination of modern healthcare, stunning landscapes, and family-friendly culture, making it a popular destination for expat families.
In this article, we break down the typical costs associated with pregnancy in Portugal, both in the public and private sectors, and highlight extra services like hiring a doula or a private midwife for a more personalized experience.
Public vs. Private Healthcare: What’s Included?
Portugal has a high-quality public healthcare system (Serviço Nacional de Saúde – SNS), which offers standard maternal care for residents and legal immigrants. If you’re registered with the SNS, most prenatal, birth, and postpartum services are covered or heavily subsidized.
Public Healthcare (SNS) – What's Included?
Here’s what’s generally included for pregnancy in Portugal:
Prenatal check-ups (ultrasounds, blood tests, etc.)
Hospital birth in a public maternity unit
Emergency care and hospital stay
Postnatal check-ups
✅ Cost: Often free or symbolic fees (usually under €10 per visit)
🚫 What’s NOT included in public care:
Choice of obstetrician or midwife-nurse
Private room in hospital (some public hospitals have private rooms, but it is not a general rule).
Continuous labor support (like a doula)
Private Maternity Care in Portugal
For those who want more personalized care e.g., choose the health professionals, private clinics and hospitals offer a wide range of services.
Estimated Costs in the Private Sector:
Prenatal appointments with obstetrician: €80–€150 per visit
Full private birth package (vaginal delivery): €3,000–€5,500
Cesarean section (elective or medical): €5,500–€8,000
Private room stay: €200–€500 per night
Postpartum consultations: €60–€120 per visit
*imperative in my view to mention here: states show that private clinics/private hospitals have higher c-section rates in Portugal.
While the prices vary depending on location (Lisbon and Porto tend to be more expensive), many families appreciate the comfort and control that private facilities offer when giving birth in Portugal.
Hiring a Doula in Portugal
A doula provides continuous emotional, informational, and physical support before, during, and after birth. This is not included in public or private hospital fees, but many international families find doulas invaluable for navigating the Portuguese healthcare system. Find more here about what is a doula.
Doula Fees:
Birth doula package (prenatal meetings + birth support): €500–€1,200
Postpartum doula support (home visits): €25–€50 per hour
I can help you find a doula, aligned with your values, in your living area. Just reach out for a 1:1 session with me here.
Private Midwives in Portugal
Some women opt to hire an independent midwife for home birth or holistic pregnancy care. Private midwifery is legal and increasingly popular among expats seeking a more natural birth.
Private Midwife Costs:
Home birth package (prenatal visits + birth + postpartum): €2,000–€3,500
Prenatal or postpartum visits only: €80–€150 per session
Keep in mind: Home births are not supported by the public system, so private care is required for this option.
Final Thoughts: Budgeting for Birth in Portugal
If you're planning to have your child born in Portugal, your total expenses will depend on your healthcare choices and whether you opt for extra support like a doula and private midwife (Note: doulas and midwives offer a very different type of support and one does not substitute the other. Doulas are not health care professionals and do not perform any medical procedure.).
Here’s a rough guide:
Having a baby in Portugal, how much does it cost? Cost for maternal care in Portugal.
Planning Your Birth Journey in Portugal?
I specialise in helping international families through every stage — from trying to conceive to pregnancy in Portugal, giving birth in Portugal, and the postpartum period. Whether you need support navigating the healthcare system, understanding your options, or connecting with a trusted doula, private midwife and/or obgyn, breastfeeding consultants, nannies, pelvic floor physiotherapists, naturopats, etc, I'm here to guide you.
📘 I’ve created a GUIDE just for you: Pregnancy and Birth in Portugal – A Guide for Expats. It’s packed with practical information and insights to help you get clarity and feel confident and empowered throughout your journey.
💌 You’re also invited to join my free newsletter for monthly inspiration, updates on in-person and online events, and tips for thriving as a parent in Portugal. Click here to subscribe.
✨ Ready to get started? Reach out to book a 1:1 session and let’s begin planning the beautiful experience of welcoming your baby in Portugal.
