Having a baby in Italy: parents' checklist

Expecting a child is a true blessing, but it also may be a great challenge, especially for new parents and expats. To help you prepare for giving birth without drowning in overwhelming information, we prepared a guide on what to do when having a pregnancy in Italy. This checklist covers all the steps, from planning a baby to securing maternity leave and getting a baby bonus in Italy in 2024. Let's begin, future best parents.

Healthcare: the essentials for having a baby in Italy

Pregnancy in Italy is valued. The country cares about mothers, so every female in the territory of Italy has a right to get special treatment.

You can access the Italian public healthcare system, Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN), to receive prenatal care and birthing services at little to no cost. However, the public waiting list can be pretty long, so some prefer paying for private services. If you are an asylum seeker, the Italian State will provide a temporary resident permit until the baby is six months old to deliver necessary medical services.

For more details check our article about getting a doctor's appoitment in Italy for expats.

We're planning a baby

Before having a baby in Italy, getting prepared and checking the mother's health is necessary. One of the benefits of giving birth in Italy is the availability of free services through local family planning centres (consultorio familiare) before and during pregnancy. These centres offer various services, including psychological consultations, social assistance and women's health support. It's a good idea to visit consultorio familiare before and during your pregnancy to ensure everything is on track.

Pregnancy period in Italy

I'm pregnant, what's next?

Health check-ups

After receiving happy news, the first formal step (except for celebrating it with your partner) is registering the pregnancy in Italy, specifically in consultorio familiare, a part of the local Azienda Sanitaria (ASL).

Giving birth in Italy as a foreigner requires some language knowledge. If you don't speak Italian, feel free to bring a friend who does. We also have your back, so here's a list of words that every woman who is having a baby in Italy should know:

• SSN (national healthcare service) — servizio sanitario nazionale
• Family planning centres — consultorio familiare
• Indicator of Equivalent Economic Situation (a tool for evaluating the economic situation to count the amount of child benefits) — indicatore della situazione economica equivalente
• Prenatal care — assistenza prenatale
• Postnatal care — assistenza postnatale
• Maternity leave — congedo di maternità
• Paternity leave — congedo di paternità

After visiting consultorio familiare, you will be assigned a doctor or midwife for prenatal check-ups, which SSN fully covers. These check-ups, scans and tests are essential for monitoring your baby's development and ensuring your health. You'll face all of the pros and cons of the public healthcare system. However, 66% of Italian women are not ready for this, so they choose to go to a private gynaecologist, and still, it comes with a price — the cost of having a baby in Italy in a private clinic is at least €3,000.

Education and assistance

Another benefit of giving birth in Italy is the availability of antenatal classes called corsi di accompagnamento alla nascita. Friendly professionals will answer all of the questions about managing pain, breastfeeding, the process of giving birth and parenting. You can find some classes here:

• Birth accompaniment course in Padua
• Childbirth training course in Rome

Giving birth in Italy

My due date is near

We are proud of you. Giving birth in Italy as a foreigner may be tough, but you're strong and have our support. So, let's move to the final stage and celebrate.

What should I bring to the hospital?

Pack your bag in advance and take this:

• Documents: ID, health insurance card, and prenatal test results.
• Your favourite pyjamas and socks with slippers.
• Basic self-care routine: Toothbrush, shampoo, and maternity pads.
• For the baby: cute outfits, diapers, and a blanket for the cosy home trip.

Buying everything you need to feel comfortable at the hospital is a significant part of the cost of having a baby in Italy. If the expat parents prefer to go to their home country, sending money online from an Italian bank card may be necessary.

Postnatal care in Italy

After giving birth, take a good rest and then follow this checklist:

1. Baby's screening process
2. Postpartum visits to your doctor or midwife
3. Finding a paediatrician for the child
4. Child's vaccination (tetanus, pertussis, polio, hepatitis b, and more)
5. Child's registration at the Civil Status Office (Ufficio di Stato Civile)

Financial benefits of giving birth in Italy

Now, we can skip to the good part and talk about bonuses and maternity leave in Italy in 2024.

Maternity leave in Italy obligates mothers to take five months off while receiving 80% of their salary. Fathers are entitled to 10 days of paid paternity leave while keeping 100% of the income.

The amount of the baby bonus in Italy 2024 varies depending on household income — usually, families receive €80 to €160 per month for the first year of the baby's life. Applications can be made through INPS (Istituto Nazionale della Previdenza Sociale). We recommend you apply soon to avoid missing out on the benefit.

Is it enough to take care of a baby? Read our article to get proper understanding of costs of living in Italy.

Need to support your family back home? Send money with Profee.

Conclusion

The Italian system aims to make pregnancy and early parenting more accessible and less stressful. Even though the costs of having a baby in Italy may be high, if you choose private healthcare, there's always an option for high-quality public services. We wish you to stay healthy and happy on this path to becoming Italy's best moms and dads.