Netherlands – Maternity and Giving Birth

What maternity care options are available in the Netherlands?

Maternity care in the Netherlands is built around a tiered model that draws a clear distinction between the roles of verloskundigen (midwives) and gynaecologen (gynaecologists). This structure can come as a genuine surprise to expats accustomed to systems in which obstetricians are the default caregivers across a much broader range of pregnancies. In the UK’s NHS, for instance, consultant-led hospital care is the norm for a wider spectrum of cases, whereas the Dutch system reserves specialist involvement almost entirely for pregnancies that develop complications.

The central organising principle is the division between low-risk and high-risk pregnancies. Healthy women expecting a single baby are classified as low-risk and are cared for throughout pregnancy, labour and the postnatal period by a midwife, who takes responsibility for the wellbeing of both mother and child. Women whose pregnancies are considered high-risk — including those with existing health conditions or those carrying twins or higher-order multiples — are referred to a gynaecologist.

Rather than functioning as referral agents, midwives in the Netherlands work as fully independent practitioners and serve as the primary point of contact from the very beginning of pregnancy. This reflects a deeply held cultural conviction that childbirth is fundamentally a natural process, and that a supportive, personalised environment produces better outcomes than routine medicalisation.

Several different birth settings are available to women in the Netherlands:

• Home birth: Home deliveries are regarded as a safe option for low-risk pregnancies. Midwives carry appropriate medical equipment and operate under clear protocols for transferring to a hospital should any concerns arise during labour.
• Hospital birth (primary care): Women can choose to give birth at a hospital using the open verloskamer (Open Delivery Room), which requires no prior appointment and allows a midwife-led birth in a hospital setting without a clinical indication.
• Hospital birth (secondary care): Where a pregnancy is classified as high-risk, or complications arise, an obstetrician takes over responsibility for overseeing the birth in hospital.
• Birth centre: Birthing houses and outpatient clinics offer a midwife-led environment that falls between the home and a full hospital, providing a calm, clinical-but-not-institutional alternative.

A typical antenatal schedule involves around 12 appointments of approximately 15 minutes each, becoming progressively more frequent as the pregnancy advances. Appointments are usually scheduled every four weeks during the first half of pregnancy, transitioning to weekly check-ups as the due date draws near.

Two forms of prenatal screening are offered in the Netherlands to assess whether an unborn child has chromosomal or physical abnormalities. Routine testing is relatively limited in scope, with additional screening made available to women over 36 or those identified as having particular risk factors. You can locate a midwife in your area through the Royal Dutch Organisation of Midwives (KNOV).

Can expats access public maternity care in the Netherlands?

Under Dutch law, anyone registering as a resident in the Netherlands is required to take out local basic health insurance (basisverzekering) within four months of registration, irrespective of any EHIC coverage they may hold. Once this insurance is in place, entitlement to maternity care is identical to that of any Dutch resident — there is no separate or reduced tier of access for foreign nationals.

Basic health insurance in the Netherlands always includes pregnancy-related care. This encompasses prenatal appointments, check-ups, laboratory tests and ultrasound examinations, coverage for both hospital and home births, and postnatal follow-up care. Crucially, pregnancy is treated as a covered condition even where it predates the insurance policy — meaning expats who arrive in the Netherlands already pregnant will not be excluded from maternity coverage on those grounds.

If you have recently relocated to the Netherlands and your insurance application is still being processed, it remains possible to see a midwife during that interim period. Nonetheless, it is strongly advisable to register with both a midwife and a kraamzorg (postnatal care) agency as early as possible — ideally by weeks 8 to 12 of pregnancy — as availability in both can be limited, particularly in major cities.

Expats who fall outside the Dutch health insurance system can choose from a wide range of international health insurers offering maternity coverage. These policies often provide greater flexibility in terms of treatment options and provider choice. It is essential to confirm directly with any prospective insurer exactly which maternity services are included before assuming a particular level of cover. For current eligibility information, consult the Dutch Government website or contact the national health authority directly.

What does it cost to give birth in the Netherlands?

The costs associated with maternity care in the Netherlands are substantially covered by basic health insurance, encompassing care provided before, during and after delivery. That said, personal contributions — effectively out-of-pocket payments — apply in certain settings and circumstances.

The table below provides an overview of typical costs as of 2025–2026:

For 2025, the all-inclusive midwifery care rate — covering the full course of pregnancy, labour and postnatal care — is set at €2,129.74, with the great majority of this amount reimbursed through basic insurance. A home birth is entirely covered by health insurance with no deductible or personal contribution required. The same applies to hospital births undertaken on a medical indication.

Where kraamzorg is concerned, the personal contribution in 2026 stands at €5.70 per hour. Postnatal home care is provided for a minimum of 24 hours and a maximum of 80 hours across the first week after birth.

The average monthly cost of basic health insurance in the Netherlands is approximately €159 as of 2025. Lower-income residents may be eligible for the healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag), a government subsidy designed to offset premium costs. In 2025, single individuals earning below approximately €38,500 annually and couples with a combined income below €48,500 may qualify for partial reimbursement. Current figures should always be verified with your insurer or through the National Health Care Institute (Zorginstituut Nederland), as the Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZa) revises rates on an annual basis.

What happens during and after the birth in the Netherlands — what should expats expect?

Dutch society broadly regards childbirth as a natural event rather than a medical problem, and the structure of maternity care reflects that outlook. Pregnant women will spend most of their antenatal journey in the company of midwives. Within a midwifery practice, it is common to see different midwives at successive appointments unless a specific arrangement is made to remain with one practitioner.

Many expats encounter genuine culture shock when confronted with Dutch birth norms. The use of pain relief is less routine here than in many other countries, hospitalisation for uncomplicated births is less common, and home births are far more frequent. One particularly significant difference relates to pain management: midwives in the Netherlands are generally not permitted to administer pharmacological pain relief themselves. Anyone wishing to have an epidural or other medication-based pain management during labour must plan a hospital birth from the outset and raise the matter explicitly with their midwife well in advance.

If a complication develops or a risk factor emerges during pregnancy or labour, the midwife will refer the woman to a gynaecologist — a hospital-based specialist equipped to perform interventions such as caesarean sections or vacuum deliveries. A referral is not necessarily cause for alarm; it may be precautionary or simply for additional clinical opinion, after which care can revert to the midwife.

One of the most celebrated features of the Dutch maternity system is kraamzorg — a form of postnatal home support provided by a trained maternity nurse (kraamverzorgster) during the first week after birth. The kraamzorg nurse visits daily to carry out health checks on both mother and newborn, and also assists with light domestic tasks to ease the transition into new parenthood. Importantly, receiving kraamzorg is obligatory in the Netherlands, not simply an optional extra.

In addition to the kraamzorg nurse, the midwife will also visit the home in the days immediately following birth to conduct medical assessments. Once this initial postnatal period has passed, responsibility for the baby’s ongoing care is assumed by the local child health centre. Parents do not need to initiate this — a representative from the centre will make contact to arrange an introductory visit.

Hospital stays following uncomplicated deliveries are typically brief. Staying longer is possible, but the additional time is not covered by insurance and would be at the parents’ own expense. Registering with a kraamzorg agency before week 12 of pregnancy is strongly recommended, as demand frequently outstrips availability.

How do you register a birth in the Netherlands?

Following a birth in the Netherlands, parents are required to complete a number of official steps. Chief among these is recording the birth in the register van de burgerlijke stand (Register of Births, Deaths, Marriages and Civil Partnerships) within three days. The municipality then issues a formal birth certificate. Failure to meet this deadline may necessitate the submission of supplementary documentation, such as a medical certificate confirming the birth.

The step-by-step process for registering a birth in the Netherlands is as follows:

1. Assemble the required documents. You will generally need: valid identification for both parents (passport or residence permit), proof of marriage or registered partnership where applicable, and any documentation acknowledging parentage that was completed prior to the birth.
2. Attend the municipality (gemeente) in which the child was born. The birth must be registered with the municipality where it took place within three days. The municipality will subsequently issue the birth certificate. Certain hospitals in larger cities, including Amsterdam, offer online registration for births occurring at their facilities.
3. Select the child’s name. Parents have freedom in choosing the child’s given name or names. The family name can be that of either the father or the mother. Since 1 January 2024, it has also been possible for a child to carry a combined surname incorporating both parents’ family names.
4. Receive the birth certificate. Upon completion of registration, a birth certificate will be issued, giving the child formal legal recognition. This document should be kept safely, as it may be required when applying for child benefit payments or in various other administrative contexts in future.
5. Register the child with your health insurer. Within four months of the birth, the child must be added to a health insurance policy. Newborn cover is provided free of charge under the parent’s or partner’s existing policy.
6. Note for unmarried parents. Married couples and those in a registered partnership automatically share parental authority over their child. Where parents are neither married nor in a registered partnership, joint custody is nonetheless typically granted automatically, provided the child was acknowledged on or after 1 January 2023.

Birth certificates are issued in Dutch, though certified extracts can be requested in a number of other languages. For languages not covered by standard translation services, a sworn translator may need to be engaged to produce an official version of the document.

For authoritative and up-to-date guidance, visit the Dutch Government’s birth registration page.

How do expats register their child’s birth with their home country?

Registering a birth with the Dutch municipality is only the first stage of the process for foreign nationals. To ensure their child is formally recognised as a citizen of their home country and can obtain a travel document, parents must also notify the relevant authorities in their country of origin.

The general steps involved in this process are as follows:

1. Obtain a certified copy of the Dutch birth certificate. Secure this from the municipality where the birth was registered. If the document is to be used abroad, it may need to be officially authenticated — a process involving a formal signature and apostille stamp to validate it for international use.
2. Contact your nearest embassy or consulate. The overwhelming majority of countries require parents to report a birth abroad to a diplomatic mission within a specified period. Requirements — including applicable deadlines and the documents to be submitted — differ considerably between nationalities, so consulting your embassy directly for current guidance is essential.
3. Apply to register the child’s citizenship. Most countries determine nationality through descent (jus sanguinis), meaning a child born abroad inherits the parent’s citizenship at birth. This registration typically requires the Dutch birth certificate, the parents’ passports, and evidence of their nationality.
4. Apply for a passport for the newborn. Once citizenship has been confirmed, a passport application can be submitted at the embassy or consulate. Fees and processing times vary significantly depending on the country in question.
5. Register with the Non-residents Records Database (RNI) where applicable. Obtaining a translation or converted version of the Dutch birth certificate does not automatically result in the child being registered in the Non-residents Records Database (RNI). This can be done at any of the 19 municipalities in the Netherlands that operate an RNI desk.

Since requirements vary widely between countries, it is advisable to clarify the procedure with your relevant embassy or consulate before the birth where possible. Most diplomatic missions publish detailed guidance for births abroad on their official websites.

What nationality or citizenship does a child born in the Netherlands receive?

The Netherlands does not generally operate a system of jus soli — the principle by which citizenship is conferred purely on the basis of being born within a country’s territory. Instead, Dutch nationality law is founded primarily on jus sanguinis, meaning citizenship flows from parentage rather than birthplace. A child born in the Netherlands to foreign national parents does not automatically acquire Dutch citizenship simply as a consequence of being born on Dutch soil.

Children born to Dutch mothers acquire Dutch citizenship automatically. Children born to Dutch fathers may be subject to additional conditions. There are limited exceptions to the general rule: a child born in the Netherlands who would otherwise be left stateless may become entitled to Dutch nationality following a qualifying period of residence. The rules governing these exceptions, as well as those relating to dual nationality, are complex and may be subject to legislative change.

For definitive and current information, the Dutch Government’s nationality pages and the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) are the appropriate sources to consult.

Where both parents hold the nationality of a country applying jus sanguinis, the child will ordinarily acquire that nationality at birth. Parents should contact their home country’s embassy promptly after the birth to begin the registration process without delay.

What are the laws and attitudes around abortion in the Netherlands?

The Netherlands has one of the most permissive and well-established legal frameworks governing abortion anywhere in Europe. The procedure has been legally available and freely accessible since the Termination of Pregnancy Act took effect in 1984. The legislation allows abortion on request, without any requirement to demonstrate a specific medical or social justification.

A gestational limit of 24 weeks applies under most circumstances. Services are delivered through licensed clinics (abortusklinieken) and certain hospitals. A mandatory five-day reflection period between an initial consultation and the procedure is currently required, though this requirement has been the subject of sustained political discussion and periodic review; readers should consult current official sources to confirm whether this remains in force at the time of reading.

Abortion costs are covered by health insurance in the Netherlands, alongside the broad range of maternity care services. Access to abortion services is generally practical and relatively uncomplicated. The prevailing social and political attitude is strongly supportive of reproductive rights, with the procedure widely understood as a matter of personal autonomy rather than a source of deep political controversy in the way it remains in a number of other countries.

For the most current legal position, consult the Dutch Government’s official portal or seek advice from a licensed healthcare provider in the Netherlands.

What maternity and parental leave rights apply in the Netherlands?

Mothers in the Netherlands are entitled to a minimum of 16 weeks of paid maternity leave, while partners have the right to one working week of fully paid leave immediately following the birth. Partners may also take additional leave for extended bonding time on a partially paid basis. The entitlements described here reflect the statutory minimums as of 2025; individual employers may offer more favourable terms.

Maternity leave is structured in two phases. The first — zwangerschapsverlof (pregnancy leave) — typically begins four to six weeks before the anticipated due date. The second phase — bevallingsverlof (maternity leave) — covers the period after delivery. Together, the two phases amount to a minimum of 16 weeks. During this time, the employee receives a benefit equivalent to their full salary, up to the applicable daily wage ceiling, paid through the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV).

Beyond the initial week of paid partner leave, partners are entitled to up to five additional weeks of partner leave paid at 70% of salary through the UWV, which must be taken within the first six months of the child’s life. Both parents are also entitled to parental leave of up to 26 weeks each, nine weeks of which can be taken at 70% pay through the UWV during the child’s first year.

These rights generally apply to anyone employed in the Netherlands under Dutch employment law, including a significant proportion of expat workers. Self-employed individuals and those on certain types of contract may have different entitlements. For definitive information on current eligibility, consult the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) or the Dutch Government’s parental leave information page.

Frequently asked questions

Will hospital staff in the Netherlands speak a language other than Dutch?

In the vast majority of cases, yes. The Dutch are widely regarded as among the most proficient English speakers of any non-native-speaking nation, and patients with a working knowledge of English typically find that communication in healthcare settings is manageable. Many midwifery practices in larger cities actively welcome international clients. If you require support in a language other than English or Dutch, however, it is advisable to arrange for an interpreter or doula to accompany you before labour begins.

Can I choose to have an epidural in the Netherlands?

Dutch midwives are generally not authorised to administer pharmacological pain relief themselves. If you would like access to an epidural or other medication-based pain management options during labour, you will need to arrange a hospital birth and raise this with your midwife early in the pregnancy so the appropriate plans can be put in place well ahead of time. This is not a decision to leave until labour has already started.

What if I arrive in the Netherlands already pregnant — will I still be covered?

Yes. Pregnancy qualifies for cover under basic Dutch health insurance even where it is a pre-existing condition at the time of taking out the policy. You should register with both a midwife and a Dutch health insurer as promptly as possible after arriving. If your insurance application is still being processed, midwifery appointments can still be accessed in the meantime.

How do I bring my newborn back to my home country if they don’t yet have a passport?

A Dutch birth certificate is not, in itself, a sufficient travel document for international journeys. You will need to apply for a passport for your child through your home country’s embassy or consulate. Processing times differ substantially between countries, and it is advisable to contact your embassy before the birth to understand exactly what documents will be needed and how long the process is likely to take.

Can my child hold dual nationality — both Dutch and another nationality?

As a general rule, the Netherlands does not permit dual nationality. There are exceptions — notably where the second nationality was acquired automatically at birth rather than by application — but the rules are nuanced and heavily dependent on individual circumstances. Consult the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) for guidance specific to your situation, and check your home country’s rules on dual nationality separately.

What happens if I give birth without health insurance in the Netherlands?

Anyone without health insurance must meet the full cost of care personally. In 2025, the cost of a birth centre delivery stands at €841.51, and births requiring specialist hospital care will be considerably more expensive. All residents are legally obliged to hold basic Dutch health insurance within four months of registering their address, so anyone eligible should arrange cover without delay.

What is kraamzorg and is it really compulsory?

Kraamzorg is the system of postnatal home care provided to mothers following the birth of a child, whether the birth took place at home or in hospital. A trained maternity nurse (kraamverzorgster) visits daily during the first week after birth to conduct health checks on both mother and newborn and to assist with light household tasks. Receiving this care is not optional — it is a legal requirement in the Netherlands. Signing up with a kraamzorg agency well in advance is important; ideally this should be done before week 12 of pregnancy.

Do I need to register my child with the Dutch authorities if they are a foreign national?

Yes. Regardless of the parents’ nationality, every child born in the Netherlands must be registered with the local municipality. You must also register the child in the Personal Records Database (BRP). If the child is not a Dutch resident, obtaining a translated or converted version of the birth certificate does not constitute registration in the Non-residents Records Database (RNI). RNI registration can be completed at any of the 19 municipalities in the Netherlands that have an RNI desk.