Brunei – Maternity and Giving Birth

What maternity care options are available in Brunei?

Brunei presents a broadly favourable picture for maternity healthcare access. The government provides modern, subsidised services to its citizens, and foreign nationals may also use these facilities for a relatively small charge. Despite being a small nation, Brunei has a range of both public and private hospitals and clinics that generally maintain high standards of care.

The main public hospital for maternity services is Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital, located in the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. As the country’s principal referral centre, RIPAS manages the bulk of deliveries nationwide and provides antenatal clinics, obstetric services, and postnatal follow-up care. Pregnant women enrolled with a public healthcare provider will usually attend regular antenatal appointments at a government polyclinic or community health centre, and will be referred to RIPAS for specialist consultations, complications, or delivery.

Brunei’s private healthcare sector has been growing steadily. Newer facilities, including Borneo International Hospital (BIH), feature dedicated Women’s Clinics with experienced specialist staff and offer a full spectrum of services — from antenatal monitoring and delivery through to postnatal support, lactation consultations, and certified infant massage classes. These options appeal strongly to expats who value a more tailored clinical environment or particular care preferences.

Unlike the UK’s NHS model, where care generally follows a midwife-led pathway initiated through a GP referral, or the French maternité system that integrates midwives and obstetricians within a single hospital unit, Brunei’s public maternity pathway is largely hospital-based and obstetrician-led. Home births and independent birthing centres are neither standard nor widely accessible in Brunei. Expats accustomed to midwife-led or home-birth models should expect a more clinical, hospital-focused approach to childbirth here.

Antenatal care typically consists of scheduled clinic visits throughout the pregnancy, encompassing ultrasound examinations, blood work, and routine screening tests. Private providers offer more scheduling flexibility and access to a broader menu of optional diagnostic assessments. Those using public services will have appointments coordinated through the local health centre network, with scans performed at hospital facilities.

How much does it cost to give birth in Brunei?

Brunei’s public healthcare system is fully subsidised for its citizens, and foreign nationals are able to access these services for a modest fee. In practice, non-citizens using public facilities like RIPAS Hospital pay more than Bruneian nationals but still receive the benefit of government subsidies, meaning costs remain considerably lower than those associated with private care. The Ministry of Health sets the fee schedule for non-citizens; consult the Brunei Ministry of Health website or contact RIPAS Hospital directly for up-to-date charges, as these may change over time.

The cost of private hospital care varies substantially depending on the type of delivery, the duration of the stay, and the room category selected. As a rough guide, a straightforward vaginal birth at a private hospital in Brunei typically runs into several thousand Brunei dollars, while a caesarean section will be considerably more expensive. It is worth requesting bundled maternity packages directly from hospitals, as many providers combine antenatal visits, delivery, and postnatal care into a single package price. For newer facilities such as BIH, specific pricing should be sought from the hospital directly.

Expats planning to give birth in Brunei are strongly advised to hold comprehensive international health insurance, especially if they intend to use private care. Most broad international health plans include maternity benefits, but a critical point to note is that many insurers impose a waiting period — often between 10 and 12 months — before maternity cover becomes available. When selecting a policy, confirm that it covers pregnancy complications, labour and delivery, newborn care, and congenital conditions. Always read the policy terms carefully before purchasing, and factor the waiting period into your planning timeline when relocating.

Among the international health insurance providers widely trusted by expats for pregnancy coverage are VUMI, Allianz Care, AXA, and Cigna Global, all of which are known for comprehensive coverage and maternity-specific plan options. Before committing, verify that your preferred hospital in Brunei accepts your chosen insurer.

What is the standard of maternity and neonatal care in Brunei?

Although Brunei is a small country, its public and private hospitals and clinics are numerous relative to its population and maintain generally high standards. RIPAS Hospital serves as the national referral centre; its maternity unit is equipped to manage complex cases, multiple pregnancies, and high-risk deliveries, and it has neonatal intensive care facilities capable of supporting premature births and other critical neonatal situations.

The calibre of obstetric and midwifery training in Brunei broadly reflects international standards. A significant proportion of doctors and specialists practising in the country have completed part or all of their training overseas, including postgraduate qualifications from internationally recognised institutions. Private hospitals tend to offer a more comfortable physical environment — private rooms, greater flexibility in booking appointments, and a wider choice of obstetrician — although clinical outcomes for uncomplicated deliveries are not necessarily different from those achieved in the public system.

There are geographic disparities to be aware of. Brunei consists of four administrative districts: Brunei-Muara (which encompasses the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan), Belait, Tutong, and Temburong. Specialist maternity facilities are concentrated primarily in the Brunei-Muara district. The Belait district is served by Suri Seri Begawan Hospital, while smaller health centres operate across Tutong and Temburong. Residents outside the capital should anticipate travelling for specialist antenatal appointments or, in some cases, for their actual delivery.

On the question of language, Malay (Bahasa Melayu) is the official language and predominates in public health settings. That said, Brunei’s large international workforce — drawn predominantly by the petroleum and natural gas sectors — means that many healthcare professionals are comfortable communicating in English. English is especially widely spoken in private hospital settings. If your primary language is neither Malay nor English, it is advisable to arrange interpreter support for important medical appointments; discuss this with your hospital well in advance.

What should expats know about maternity rights and leave in Brunei?

Maternity rights in Brunei are governed primarily by the Employment Order 2009, which protects employed women’s entitlements to leave, pay, and job security around childbirth. The Maternity Leave Regulation 2011 supplements this framework with specific provisions covering both prenatal and postnatal needs; under these regulations, the overall entitlement was extended from 56 to 105 days, equivalent to 15 weeks of maternity leave in total.

Employees in Brunei’s formal sector who give birth are entitled to 15 weeks of maternity leave, of which 13 weeks are paid. Two weeks must be taken prior to the birth, with the remaining 13 weeks taken after the delivery. The employer bears responsibility for the cost of the first eight weeks of leave, and the government may reimburse employers for the cost of the subsequent five weeks in the case of citizen employees. Whether overseas workers are eligible for the government reimbursement component should be clarified with both your employer and the relevant regulatory authority.

Different provisions apply to foreign workers. A non-citizen employee giving birth is entitled to four weeks of leave before the birth and one week immediately following — notionally to allow time to travel home to deliver — along with a further four weeks to be taken within the six months after the birth. This is a substantially shorter entitlement than that accorded to Bruneian nationals, and expat employees should review their employment contracts carefully and seek clarification from their employer or a local human resources adviser regarding how these rules apply to their specific circumstances.

Brunei has no statutory framework for paternity leave. Some private-sector employers may include paternity leave as a contractual benefit, but this is entirely discretionary rather than a legal entitlement, and employees should examine their individual contracts for any such provisions.

Self-employed individuals and those engaged under contract arrangements that fall outside a standard employment relationship are not covered by the Employment Order in the same manner and would not automatically qualify for statutory maternity pay. If this describes your situation, consider seeking advice from a qualified employment lawyer, or contact the Brunei Department of Labour under the Ministry of Home Affairs for current guidance applicable to your circumstances.

How do you register a birth in Brunei?

Responsibility for the formal registration of births in Brunei rests with the Birth, Death and Adoption Section of the Department of Immigration and National Registration, which operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Data on births is gathered through a network of local area registration offices, functionally supported by hospitals and health clinics where births take place.

The steps outlined below describe the standard process for registering a birth in Brunei. You should always verify the most current requirements directly with the Department of Immigration and National Registration, as procedures and documentary requirements are subject to change.

1. Obtain a notification of birth from the hospital. Following delivery at a hospital or health clinic, the facility will ordinarily issue a notification of birth document. Retain this safely, as it forms a key part of the registration process.
2. Attend the Department of Immigration and National Registration. Birth registration is administered by the Department of Immigration and National Registration under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA). The resulting birth certificate is subsequently used for school enrolment, identity card applications, travel documents, citizenship matters, and various other purposes. Present yourself at the department’s main office or at a relevant district office.
3. Submit the required documents. Documents typically needed include: the hospital notification of birth; passports or identity documents for both parents; the parents’ marriage certificate; and any official forms stipulated by the registrar. The birth certificate is issued upon completion of registration. Where the child is born to parents who are not married, the father’s name will not appear on the birth certificate.
4. Register within the required timeframe. Brunei’s Births and Deaths Registration Act requires that births be registered without undue delay. Although late registrations can be processed administratively, it is strongly recommended that you register as soon as possible following the birth. Confirm the current deadline with the department directly.
5. Pay the registration fee and collect the birth certificate. A certified copy of the document issued at the point of registration costs BND $5.00; a certified copy obtained after registration has been completed costs BND $10.00 (as of 2024). The original birth certificate is produced on A3-sized paper, while subsequent copies are issued on A4-sized paper.
6. Register the birth with your home country’s embassy or consulate. As a foreign national, you must also register your newborn’s birth with the appropriate embassy or consulate in Brunei in order to establish the child’s nationality and obtain a travel document. Requirements differ by country — contact your embassy directly for specific guidance. As a general indication, registration of a newborn’s foreign nationality typically requires the Brunei-issued birth certificate (duly attested by the Consular Department of Brunei’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade), both parents’ passports, and the parents’ marriage certificate.
7. Apply for a passport for your newborn. Once your child’s nationality has been formally confirmed by your home country’s embassy or consulate, you may proceed with a passport application for the child. Processing times vary by country; submit applications early if any travel is anticipated.

What nationality will my child have if born in Brunei?

Being born on Bruneian soil does not confer Bruneian citizenship automatically. The nationality provisions set out in the Brunei Nationality Act operate predominantly on a jus sanguinis basis — that is, citizenship is transmitted through parentage, specifically through descent from a Bruneian citizen parent, rather than through the simple fact of birth within the country’s borders. This stands in contrast to nations such as the United States, Canada, or Brazil, which generally extend citizenship to nearly all children born on their territory irrespective of parental nationality (unconditional jus soli).

Children born in Brunei to two foreign-national parents will not acquire Bruneian citizenship automatically; the country’s framework prioritises family lineage over place of birth when determining nationality status. A child born to at least one Bruneian citizen parent, however, acquires Bruneian citizenship automatically. For most expat families in which both parents hold foreign nationality, the child will derive citizenship solely through the nationality laws of the parents’ home country or countries.

Under the nationality law as amended in 1984, one route to acquiring Bruneian nationality is through jus sanguinis — the right of blood — and this applies regardless of whether the child was born within Brunei’s sovereign territory, subject to certain conditions. Citizenship is conferred automatically where the child belongs to specific recognised indigenous groups, or where a child born abroad has a Bruneian father who registers the birth at a Bruneian diplomatic mission within six months.

Children born to a Bruneian citizen mother and a foreign father may face a risk of statelessness as a result of gender-asymmetric provisions in the law that historically limited mothers’ capacity to pass on nationality on the same terms as fathers. The 2002 amendment to the Brunei nationality law extended the ability to confer citizenship through the mother in certain circumstances, but some asymmetries remain in the legislation. If your situation involves a Bruneian mother and a non-citizen father, obtaining specific legal advice is strongly recommended.

Brunei does not permit dual citizenship. Any Bruneian citizen who acquires a foreign nationality will forfeit their Bruneian citizenship. A child born abroad to Bruneian parents who acquires citizenship of the country of birth may hold dual citizenship until reaching the age of majority (18), at which point a choice must be made.

For expat families, the immediate practical priority is to establish the child’s nationality through your home country’s embassy or consulate in Brunei as promptly as possible after the birth. Nationality law is complex and varies considerably between countries. Always seek confirmation of your specific circumstances from both the relevant diplomatic mission and a qualified legal professional before or shortly after your child is born.

What are the laws and attitudes around abortion in Brunei?

Abortion is broadly prohibited in Brunei in the vast majority of circumstances. This is an important factor for anyone of reproductive age considering relocation to the country. The legal landscape is far more restrictive than in many nations where abortion is permitted on request or on broad social grounds. Brunei’s legal system draws on both English common law and Syariah (Islamic) law, and the prevailing conservative religious and cultural context significantly influences how reproductive healthcare is regulated.

In 2014, Brunei began implementing Syariah law, which includes prohibitions on pregnancy outside of marriage. Within this conservative social and legal environment, it is essential to understand that a number of sexual and reproductive health services that may be accessible elsewhere are unavailable in Brunei. Abortion is not offered through the public health system in any routine or elective capacity, nor are there any legally operating private providers of elective termination services in the country.

As of 2025, access to abortion in Brunei is far more limited than in most countries across Western Europe, Australasia, or the Americas, where termination is typically available on request or on broad grounds during early pregnancy. Anyone contemplating a move to Brunei who may require access to abortion services must be fully aware of this legal reality before arriving.

Certain countries permit abortion where the mother’s life is at risk or where severe foetal abnormalities have been detected; the exact scope of any comparable exceptions under Bruneian law should be verified with the Brunei Ministry of Health or a qualified legal professional. Do not rely on unofficial sources for guidance on this matter. Emergency contraceptive pills (morning-after pills) are also prohibited in Brunei — another significant consideration when evaluating the available reproductive healthcare options. Always consult official Bruneian authorities or a qualified legal adviser for accurate and current information on this topic.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use Brunei’s public healthcare system to give birth as a foreign national?

Yes. While Brunei’s public healthcare system is fully subsidised for citizens, foreign nationals may also access public facilities such as RIPAS Hospital for maternity care and delivery at a higher, though still subsidised, fee. Contact the Ministry of Health or RIPAS Hospital directly to obtain the current fee schedule applicable to non-citizens, as charges are subject to revision.

Is English spoken in Brunei’s hospitals?

English is widely spoken by healthcare professionals in Brunei, particularly in hospitals and private clinics, alongside Malay. The country’s substantial international workforce — concentrated mainly in the petroleum and natural gas sectors — means that hospitals are well accustomed to serving foreign patients. English communication is especially accessible in private hospital settings. If neither English nor Malay is your primary language, it is advisable to arrange interpreter support for important medical consultations and to discuss this with your hospital ahead of time.

How long do I have to register my baby’s birth in Brunei?

The Department of Immigration and National Registration under the Ministry of Home Affairs oversees the registration of births in Brunei. Legislation requires that births be registered promptly, and it is strongly recommended that you complete registration as soon as possible — typically within a matter of days of the birth. Contact the Department of Immigration and National Registration directly to confirm the current required timeframe and to enquire about any procedures applicable to late registrations.

Will my baby automatically get Brunei citizenship if born there?

No. Brunei does not grant citizenship automatically on the basis of birth within its territory. For children born in Brunei to two foreign-national parents, citizenship is not conferred, as the country’s nationality framework is based primarily on parentage rather than place of birth. Your child’s citizenship will need to be established through your home country’s nationality laws. Contact your embassy or consulate in Brunei promptly after the birth to initiate this process.

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

You will typically need the hospital notification of birth, passports or identity documents for both parents, your marriage certificate, and any forms required by the registrar. A birth certificate is issued following successful registration. Check the current documentary requirements with the Department of Immigration and National Registration before attending, as the list may be updated periodically.

How much maternity leave am I entitled to as a foreign worker in Brunei?

Foreign workers are entitled to four weeks of leave before the birth and one week immediately following it, together with a further four weeks to be taken within the six months after the birth. This represents a considerably shorter entitlement than that available to Bruneian citizens under the Employment Order 2009. Review your employment contract carefully and confirm your entitlements with your employer or the Brunei Department of Labour.

Is private maternity care widely available in Brunei?

Yes, private maternity care is accessible in Brunei and is the option favoured by many expats. Private facilities offer specialist Women’s Clinics and deliver a comprehensive range of services spanning antenatal monitoring, delivery, postnatal support, lactation consultations, and certified infant massage. Contact hospitals directly for current package pricing, as costs differ considerably between providers.

What are the rules on abortion in Brunei?

Abortion is broadly illegal in Brunei in most circumstances. The country’s legal framework — which draws on both English common law and Syariah law — is considerably more restrictive than that of many other countries. There are no routine abortion services available through either the public health system or private providers. Anyone planning to move to Brunei should familiarise themselves with this legal position well in advance. For accurate and current guidance, consult the Brunei Ministry of Health or a qualified legal adviser.