Portugal is a great place to raise children. Regardless of whether you plan to move to Portugal with your children, or you already live here and want to have children in the near future, take the time to do the right research before making a decision. The language raises many questions for families who move with their children to another country. Since there are only a few international schools in Portugal, it is recommended that your child learn Portuguese. Raising children in this country has the advantage of free pre-school education, low university fees, and universal medical care.
Pregnancy and birth in Portugal
Many families who move to Portugal decide to have children at some point in their lives. Communities are safe and supportive. The education system is good. Prenatal care is free and depends on the type of insurance purchased. You can choose state, private, or subsystem insurance. If you have private insurance, you can choose a clinic where to give birth, as well as a specialist who will help you. Mothers with state insurance are appointed by the midwife in the hospital, with whom regular appointments will 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 child born in Portugal must be registered with the Division of Civil Registration (Conservatória do Registo Civil) within 20 days of the birth.
Children born in Portugal to foreign parents cannot receive Portuguese citizenship without a mother and father living in this country for ten years. If the parents are citizens of a country with the Portuguese language as the official language, the ten-year requirement is reduced to six years.
Most women in Portugal give birth in clinics and hospitals and may have a C-section instead of a natural birth. They are allowed to work during pre-Natal as many times as necessary. There are several non-profit organizations and government agencies offering free information to new mothers, including SOS Grávida (SOS Pregnancy) and Ajuda de Mãe (Mother Support). Women can also attend breathing and other courses designed to help them cope with the physical needs of pregnancy. Natural childbirth has become increasingly popular in recent years. There are also childbirth and home birth.
Is Portugal suitable for raising children?
Knowing how the child care system works in Portugal is important. Any child born in this country must be registered with the Division of Civil Status Registration within 20 days of its birth. Pregnant women cannot be dismissed from work without the prior consent of the Equality Commission at Work. In recent years, the number of public kindergartens 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 émigré community in the Algarve and Lisbon has a large number of private schools. Public schools will undoubtedly lead to faster integration. All children must attend school between the ages of six and fifteen. Sport is generally encouraged. Children also have access to a wide range of cultural activities, including theater, music and English classes.
