Having a baby abroad: 30 days to secure identity, residence, and health coverage

Birth occurs in your host country (or nearby). You'll manage: local birth certificate, registration with your home country (if desired), travel documents, baby's residence rights, health affiliation, and family benefits.

Cross-border family life brings unique administrative layers. Understanding your child's rights ensures smooth integration. For settling in with your family, check our guide on building life abroad.

Local birth registration: usually at city hall/civil registry within 3–10 days with parents present, hospital certificate, and IDs.

Home-country transcription/consulate: book an appointment if you want your country's birth record (timelines vary).

Identity documents: baby passport/ID if you plan to travel; baby-compliant photos.

Residence: for non-EU nationals, the child often needs a family residence permit soon after birth.

Health: add the baby to the insured parent (public scheme), choose a pediatrician; social/health number issued in weeks. Review our healthcare guide for system navigation.

Family benefits: birth may open eligibility to allowances (income- and country-dependent).

1. Birth file: hospital papers, parents' IDs, proof of address, marriage certificate/family book if applicable.

2. Health affiliation: dependent-add form + bank details + birth certificate.

3. Residence: copies of parents' permits, proof of means/housing. Our housing guide covers address documentation.

4. Passport: baby-photo standards + parents' presence (often required) + original certificate.

5. Benefits: income proofs, housing attestations, IBAN.

Week 1: register the birth; request a multilingual extract if available.

Week 2: book the consulate for transcription (if desired); start health affiliation.

Week 3: file the baby's residence application; apply for a passport if travel is planned.

Week 4: file for family benefits; pick a pediatrician and attend the first visit.

Order multiple copies of the certificate (original + multilingual).

Scan everything; name files clearly like `BABY_Name_BirthCert.pdf`.

Check photo requirements for newborns (tricky!) and exact dimensions.

For urgent trips, ask about emergency travel documents.

Keep a single folder for all baby-related admin—you'll thank yourself later. Consider reviewing our complete checklist for document organization strategies.

With a simple list and tidy files, paperwork is manageable. Priorities are birth certificate, health affiliation, and residence. The rest follows naturally—enjoy those first precious weeks with your new arrival.