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Malta – Maternity and Giving Birth

Malta is a small island country in the Mediterranean Sea. Like many other countries, giving birth in Malta usually takes place in a hospital setting, although home births are also an option. The country offers a range of services to pregnant women to ensure a safe and healthy delivery.

Giving Birth in Malta

The majority of births in Malta take place in hospitals. Women can choose to give birth in a public hospital or a private hospital. The public hospital system is available to all residents and is free of charge. Private hospitals are also available for those who are willing to pay for a higher standard of care.

It is worth noting that while home births are legal in Malta, they are relatively rare. Most women in Malta choose to give birth in hospitals because of the high standard of care provided by trained medical professionals.

The Maltese government has invested in its healthcare system in recent years, and as a result, pregnant women have access to a range of services. These include prenatal care, routine check-ups, and access to ultrasound scans.

Registering a Birth in Malta

In Malta, registering a birth is a straightforward process. Parents must register their child’s birth within 21 days of the birth date.

To register a birth, the parents must first obtain a birth certificate from the hospital or midwife who delivered the baby. They must then visit the Public Registry to register the birth.


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During the visit, the parents will need to provide the following information:

  • The child’s full name
  • The child’s date of birth
  • The place of birth
  • The names and surnames of the parents
  • The parents’ identification numbers or passport numbers
  • The parents’ occupations

Once all the necessary information has been provided, the parents will receive a certified copy of the child’s birth certificate.

Attitudes and Legislation Surrounding Abortion in Malta

Abortion is illegal in Malta. The country has some of the strictest abortion laws in Europe.

The Maltese Constitution states that “the life of the unborn is sacrosanct”. As a result, it is illegal to terminate a pregnancy except in cases where the mother’s life is at risk. In such cases, the decision to perform an abortion must be made by a medical practitioner and approved by a second medical practitioner.

The penalty for performing an abortion in Malta is imprisonment for up to three years. The penalty for aiding or abetting an abortion is imprisonment for up to four years.

The subject of abortion is a highly sensitive and controversial issue in Malta, with strong opinions on both sides. Many Maltese citizens support the country’s strict abortion laws, while others believe that women should have the right to choose whether or not to terminate a pregnancy.

Giving birth in Malta usually takes place in a hospital setting, although home births are also an option. The country offers a range of services to pregnant women, including prenatal care and routine check-ups. Registering a birth in Malta is a straightforward process, and parents must register their child’s birth within 21 days of the birth date.

Abortion is illegal in Malta except in cases where the mother’s life is at risk. The subject of abortion is a highly sensitive issue in Malta, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.