Birth in Switzerland: complete guide

Before birth

Pregnancy follow-up

• Medical follow-up: gynaecologist, midwife, or both (covered by basic LAMal)
• Ultrasounds: 3 covered minimum (weeks 12, 22, 32)
• Childbirth preparation classes: ~CHF 200–400, sometimes reimbursed by complementary LAMal
• Maternity registration: choose hospital or birth centre (CHUV, HUG, Inselspital, USZ, or private clinics)

Birth options

• Public hospital: free (LAMal), shared room
• Semi-private hospital: 2-bed room, CHF 60–150/day extra
• Private hospital: single room, chosen doctor, CHF 200–600/day extra
• Private clinic (Hirslanden, Genolier): premium comfort, high price
• Birth centre: physiological birth, non-medicalised
• At home: possible with specialised midwife

After birth

Within 3 days

• Birth declaration at the civil registry of the commune where the birth took place
• Birth certificate issued free
• Hospital often forwards info automatically

Within 14 days

• Notification to commune of residence of parents
• LAMal registration: at your health insurer (newborn covered from day of birth)

Within the month

• Family allowance registration at the family allowance compensation fund of your canton
• AVS registration: AVS number assigned automatically

Before 3 months

• Daycare registration: urgent (see dedicated article)
• Paediatrician: find and register the child
• Vaccinations: per Swiss schedule

Parental leaves

Maternity leave (women)

• 14 weeks paid at 80% of last salary (max CHF 220/day, ~CHF 6,200/month)
• Can start before delivery (earliest 8 weeks before due date)
• No official extension; some collective agreements extend it

Paternity leave (since 2021)

• 2 weeks (10 working days) at 80% salary
• Take within 6 months of birth
• Continuous or split

Adoption leave (since 2023)

• 2 weeks at 80% salary to adopt a child under 4

Extended parental leave

• No legal right in Switzerland beyond 14 weeks
• Some employers offer extended unpaid or partial leave
• Plan for return to work: daycare, day parent, nanny

Financial allowances

Family allowances (monthly)

• CHF 215–415/month by canton (see dedicated article)
• Paid from birth, automatically with salary
• Bonus sometimes for 3rd child and beyond

Birth allowance

• CHF 1,000–2,200 one-off by canton (Geneva CHF 2,073, Vaud CHF 1,500, Valais CHF 1,500, Ticino CHF 1,650, others: variable)
• Paid by cantonal compensation fund

Additional financial aid

• Family supplementary benefits (PCFam): if income low (by canton)
• Daycare subsidy: income-dependent
• Housing aid: low-income families in some communes

International parents

• Child born in Switzerland to foreign parents: takes parents' nationality (Switzerland does not grant citizenship by birth)
• Child residence permit: request from cantonal migration office within 3 months
• Recognition in country of origin: declare birth at embassy/consulate

Tips

• Plan registrations: daycare during pregnancy, paediatrician before delivery
• Check your LAMal coverage: complementary insurance valuable for private room
• Budget the first months: baby kit, equipment, care (CHF 2,000–5,000 typical)
• Inquire about remote work or schedule adjustments on return (Code of Obligations allows negotiation)
• Use paternity leave: take within 6 months, don't let it lapse
• Home midwives offer postnatal support covered by LAMal