I just gave birth in Madrid, so while the memory is still fresh, I wanted to share my experience of having a baby in Spain using private insurance with all of you.
Private Insurance or Public Healthcare?
Many people struggle with this decision. To put it simply, the public system is free and comprehensive, but its downsides are long waiting times, fewer ultrasounds, and a more ‘assembly line’ feel to prenatal check-ups. On the other hand, the biggest advantages of private insurance are that it’s fast and flexible! You can choose your own doctor and hospital, appointments are almost immediate, prenatal care is more detailed, and you get more ultrasounds, which can be very reassuring. After much consideration, I decided to get private insurance for peace of mind. Major insurance companies like DKV, Sanitas, and Adeslas offer specific maternity plans, but you must pay close attention to the carencia (waiting period)
. The waiting period for childbirth is typically 8-10 months, so it’s crucial to purchase your policy before you start trying to conceive
!
My Prenatal and Birth Experience
I chose a DKV policy and my designated hospital was from the HM Hospitales group. From the moment my pregnancy was confirmed, I saw my obstetrician once a month, and I had an ultrasound at every appointment. Seeing the baby grow little by little was incredibly reassuring. All the necessary tests throughout the pregnancy, like the Down syndrome screening, morphology scan, and glucose tolerance test, were included. When it was time to give birth, I had a scheduled admission and was checked directly into a private room. The environment was great, and my husband could stay with me the entire time. The midwives and doctors were very professional and patient, and the whole process went smoothly. Most importantly, all costs—from prenatal check-ups to the delivery and the several days of hospital stay—were fully covered by the insurance company. I barely spent any money out of pocket.
Below, I’ve put together a simple table comparing the main differences between the public and private systems for childbirth for your reference:
| Feature | Public Healthcare System | Private Health Insurance |
|---|
| Prenatal Ultrasounds | Typically only 3 throughout the entire pregnancy | Almost every check-up, more frequent |
| Appointment Wait Times | Longer, sometimes several weeks | Flexible and fast, usually within a few days |
| Choice of Doctor | Assigned by the system, no choice | You can freely choose any doctor and hospital within the insurance network |
| Maternity Ward Room | Mostly shared rooms, with restricted visiting hours for family | Usually a private room, allowing one family member to stay 24/7 |
| Cost | Free | Pay annual/monthly insurance premium, childbirth costs fully covered |
If you’re looking for a better service experience, greater flexibility, and privacy, and your budget allows, I personally highly recommend purchasing private insurance. Of course, Spain’s public healthcare system is also extremely robust and reliable, and it can absolutely meet all your needs for giving birth. The final decision really depends on each family’s specific situation and needs, which can include everything from your preferred service level to access to specific Spanish medical supplies
. I hope my experience has been helpful to you all!
