Relationship

Life in Portugal: Having children in Portugal

Portugal is an excellent place to raise children. Whether you are planning to move with your children to Portugal or you already live here and want to have children in the near future, take the time to do your research before making a decision. The language raises many questions for families moving with children to another country. Since there are only a few international schools in Portugal, it is recommended that your child learn the Portuguese language. Raising children in this country has the benefit of free preschool education, low college fees, and universal health care.

Pregnancy and Childbirth in Portugal

Many families that move to Portugal decide to have children at some point in their lives. Communities are safe and supportive. The educational system is good. Prenatal care is free and depends on the type of insurance purchased. You can opt for public, private or subsystem insurance. If you have private insurance, you can choose a clinic where you can give birth, as well as a specialist to treat you. Mothers with public insurance are assigned to an obstetrician at the hospital, with whom regular appointments would be made.

This European country has a National Vaccination Plan (Plano Nacional de Vacinação), which is free. Children born in Portugal receive vaccinations at birth against hepatitis B and tuberculosis. Any baby born in Portuguese territory must be registered at the Civil Registry Office (Conservatória do Registo Civil) within 20 days of birth.

Children born in Portugal to foreign parents cannot receive Portuguese citizenship unless the mother and father have lived in this country for ten years. If the parents are citizens of a country with Portuguese as its official language, the ten-year requirement is reduced to six years.

Most women in Portugal give birth in clinics and hospitals, and can have a caesarean section instead of a natural birth. They are allowed to take time off work for prenatal appointments as many times as necessary. There are several non-profit organizations and public institutions that offer free information to new mothers, including SOS Grávida (SOS Pregnancy) and Ajuda de Mãe (Help for Mothers). Women can also attend breathing classes and other courses designed to help them deal with the physical demands of pregnancy. Natural work has become increasingly popular in recent years. Water births and home births are also available.

Is Portugal suitable for raising children?

Knowing how the child care system in Portugal works is essential. Every child born in this country must be registered at the Civil Registry Office within 20 days of birth. Pregnant women cannot be dismissed from their jobs without the prior agreement of the Commission for Equality at Work. In recent years, the number of public day care centers has increased. In addition, working mothers are entitled to flexible paid maternity leave.

When it comes to finding a school for your children, you have three options: boarding schools, private schools, and public schools. The expat communities in the Algarve and Lisbon boast a large number of private schools. Public schools will surely lead to faster integration. All children must attend school between the ages of 6 and 15. Sports in general are encouraged. Children also have access to a wide range of cultural activities including theatre, music and English classes.

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