Contents
- Giving birth in Italy for free — yes, for everyone
- Pregnancy care in Italy 2026
- Giving birth in hospital: choice, process, partner presence
- Documents after the baby is born
- Residence permit for pregnancy (permesso per gravidanza)
- Child benefits in 2026
- Maternity leave and INPS payments
- Pediatrician for the child: choosing and vaccinations
- Conclusions
Giving birth in Italy for free: yes, for ALL foreign women
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Is it true that giving birth in Italy is free even for undocumented foreign women? What costs does the state cover?
Pregnancy in Italy is a topic that raises dozens of questions among Russian-speaking women who have moved or are planning to move. Giving birth in Italy for free — yes, this is not a myth but the reality of the Italian healthcare system in 2026. The public system SSN (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale) covers all costs for pregnancy care and childbirth, and not only for residents with a tessera but also for women without legal status.
Here’s how it works for different categories:
| Your status | Document for access | What is covered | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resident with tessera | Tessera Sanitaria (health card) | Everything: check-ups, tests, delivery, postpartum period | 0 EUR |
| Richiesta (waiting for residence permit) | Temporary tessera | Everything: full range of services | 0 EUR |
| Undocumented | STP card (STP — Straniero Temporaneamente Presente) | Everything: pregnancy, delivery, postpartum, child up to one year | 0 EUR |
| Tourist | STP / ENI card | Emergency care, delivery | 0 EUR |
What is the STP card?
STP (Straniero Temporaneamente Presente) is a document issued to foreigners without legal status to access urgent medical care. For pregnant women, the STP covers the full cycle: all tests, monitoring, delivery, postpartum care and monitoring of the child up to 1 year. The card is issued by the ASL (Azienda Sanitaria Locale — local health authority) where you live — only a passport is needed.
Community experience
“Pregnancy in Italy means access to full public healthcare, free childcare for toddlers and schools for children. Even if you don’t have documents yet, they will accept you and take care of everything.”
From a discussion in a Russian-speaking immigration chat, 2025
For women with a tessera all pregnancy costs in Italy are covered automatically by the SSN. You don’t need additional insurance or to pay extra for check-ups. The only thing you might pay for is if you choose a private gynecologist instead of the public one.
Don’t pay for what is free
Some private clinics offer “pregnancy care packages” for 2000–4000 EUR. It’s your right to choose a private doctor. But know that the public system provides the same services for free: ultrasounds (US), tests, screenings, delivery. The quality in public hospitals in Italy is among the best in Europe.
Pregnancy care in Italy: registration and monitoring
How to register for pregnancy care in Italy? How many ultrasounds and visits are included in the free program?
Pregnancy in Italy is managed through the ASL (Azienda Sanitaria Locale) — the local health authority. As soon as you learn about the pregnancy, the first step is to register with a gynecologist through the ASL. This can be done with a tessera or with an STP card.
Confirm the pregnancy
Take a test, then book an appointment with your family doctor (medico di base) or directly with a gynecologist through the ASL. The doctor will order a blood test for beta-hCG and the first ultrasound.
Register at the consultorio
Consultorio familiare is a free family center within the ASL. Gynecologists, midwives and psychologists work there. Registration is usually done by the 12th week. They will create a monitoring plan for the whole pregnancy.
Get the libretto di gravidanza
This is the "pregnancy booklet" — a document in which all visits, tests and ultrasound results are recorded. Bring it to each appointment. Some regions issue it electronically via the Fascicolo Sanitario Elettronico.
Attend scheduled visits
According to the standard protocol: 7 gynecologist visits + 3 ultrasounds + blood and urine tests each trimester. All of this is free under maternal exemption codes (esenzione M).
The state guarantees the following minimum of free examinations during pregnancy in Italy:
| Period | Examinations | What’s included |
|---|---|---|
| 1st trimester (up to 13 wks) | First ultrasound + tests | Ultrasound to determine gestational age, blood group, toxoplasmosis, rubella, HIV, hepatitis, complete blood count |
| 15–18 weeks | Screening | Bi-test or tri-test (Down syndrome screening). Amniocentesis is free if indicated |
| 2nd trimester (20–22 wks) | Morphological ultrasound | Detailed ultrasound of fetal organs (ecografia morfologica) — the most important examination |
| 3rd trimester (30–34 wks) | Third ultrasound + tests | Assessment of fetal growth, presentation, placenta, repeat blood tests |
| 36–40 weeks | Monitoring | Weekly monitoring (CTG), visits every 1–2 weeks |
From a mom’s experience in Italy
“When we arrived, I immediately dived into the process: find housing, arrange documents, register. The gynecologist at the consultorio was very attentive. All tests were on the list, no extra payments. The only thing — the wait for an ultrasound is sometimes 2–3 weeks, but that’s normal for the public system.”
Experience of a community member, Milan, 2025
Public vs private gynecologist
At the consultorio you are seen by the on-duty gynecologist — this person may change from visit to visit. If you want the same doctor throughout pregnancy, there are two options: either find a public gynecologist who accepts intramoenia consultations (in the hospital but privately — about 100–150 EUR per visit), or choose a fully private doctor (150–250 EUR per visit). In any case, delivery takes place in a public hospital for free.
Many women choose a combined approach: main monitoring at the consultorio for free, plus 1–2 extra visits to a private gynecologist for reassurance. This costs 200–400 EUR for the whole pregnancy — instead of 2000–4000 for a full private package.
Giving birth in Italy: choosing a hospital, the process, partner presence
How to choose a maternity hospital in Italy? Can the father be present at birth? How many days do they keep you in hospital?
Childbirth in Italy takes place in public hospitals (ospedale) in the maternity unit (punto nascita). You choose which hospital to give birth in yourself — it doesn’t have to be the one at your registered address. Many Italian hospitals hold open days for pregnant women — you can come, view rooms, meet staff and ask questions.
How to choose an ospedale
Key criteria: presence of a neonatal intensive care unit (TIN — Terapia Intensiva Neonatale), the punto nascita rating on the regional health website, reviews in local groups, distance from home. If you’re in a large city (Milan, Rome, Turin) — there’s a wide choice. In small towns there may be only one hospital, but quality is still good.
What you need to know about the childbirth process in Italy in 2026:
- Partner presence — yes, the father (or another companion) can be present during the birth. This is standard practice in Italian hospitals. You should check specific hospital rules in advance — some require the companion to attend a preparation course
- Epidural anesthesia — available for free, but you need to request it in advance (richiesta di epidurale) and have an anesthesiologist consultation. Important: not all hospitals have an anesthesiologist on duty 24/7, so check this when choosing the ospedale
- Cesarean section — only for medical reasons. Italy is actively reducing high caesarean rates (especially in the south, where historically they reached 40–50%). Without indications, doctors will encourage vaginal birth
- Postpartum stay — usually 2–3 days after a vaginal birth, 4–5 days after a caesarean. Wards may have 1–3 patients per room
From childbirth experience in Italy
“I gave birth in a public hospital in Bologna. My husband was with me the whole time. The staff spoke only Italian, but they were very patient. They gave the epidural without problems. I was discharged on the third day. The only thing they took was the placenta — here that’s normal, it’s disposed of.”
From a discussion in an immigration chat, 2025
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✓Documents - passport, tessera (or STP), codice fiscale, libretto di gravidanza, birth plan (if any)
-
✓For the mother - robe, slippers, comfortable clothes, hygiene items, postpartum pads (the hospital provides some, but your own are more comfortable)
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✓For the baby - 3–4 bodysuits, hat, socks, discharge blanket, diapers (the hospital provides the first ones)
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✓Car seat - they won’t discharge you without it, it’s the law. Group 0+ from birth
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✓For the partner - ID, snack, phone charger. Some hospitals allow staying overnight
Car seat — mandatory!
In Italy it is strictly forbidden to transport a newborn without a car seat. Hospital staff check for a car seat at discharge. If there isn’t one, discharge may be postponed. Buy or rent one in advance, Group 0+ (from birth to 13 kg).
Documents after the baby is born in Italy
Which documents need to be arranged for the baby after birth in Italy? What are the deadlines?
After the birth of a child in Italy the paperwork begins — and it’s important not to delay, because some documents have strict deadlines. Here’s the full list of what needs to be done:
Dichiarazione di nascita (declaration of birth) — 3 days!
Filed at the Comune (municipality) of the baby’s birth or at the parents’ place of residence. Deadline — 3 days from birth (10 days if you file at the Comune of residence rather than place of birth). You can file directly at the hospital — large ospedale have an Anagrafe window. Required: passports of both parents, codice fiscale, marriage certificate (if married).
Codice Fiscale for the child
Usually assigned automatically at birth registration. If not — contact the Agenzia delle Entrate with the birth document. Codice Fiscale is needed for everything: registration, tessera, benefits.
Tessera Sanitaria for the child
With the codice fiscale go to the ASL and register the child for a tessera. At the same time choose a pediatrician (pediatra di libera scelta). The tessera gives the child access to all free healthcare.
Include the child in the parent’s permesso
If you have a permesso di soggiorno — the child must be added to your residence permit. File an application at the questura. Up to 14 years the child is included in the parent’s permesso, after 14 they receive their own.
Birth certificate with apostille
To register the child at the Russian consulate (or another country) you need the Italian birth certificate (certificato di nascita) with an apostille. The apostille is issued at the Prefettura. Then the document is translated and submitted to the consulate.
The 3-day deadline is serious!
Dichiarazione di nascita must be filed within 3 days if you file directly at the hospital or at the Comune of birth. It’s 10 days if you file at the Comune of residence (another city). If you miss the deadline — registration is still possible, but via court with an explanation for the delay. Don’t postpone.
Advice from the chat
“Arranging kids, processing documents — all this takes effort. But the process is straightforward if you know where to go. The main thing — don’t delay the dichiarazione di nascita. We filed directly in the hospital on the second day; there was an anagrafe window. Everything was done in 15 minutes.”
Experience of a Russian-speaking family in Turin
Baby’s name — Italian rules
Italy has restrictions on names: you cannot give the name of a living brother or sister, you cannot use a surname as a first name, and you cannot give “ridiculous or shameful” names (the official decides). Russian names are accepted without problems, but think in advance about the Latin transcription — that’s how the name will appear on all Italian documents.
Residence permit for pregnancy in Italy: permesso per gravidanza
Can you get a residence permit in Italy because of pregnancy? Even without documents?
This is one of the most important points for women without legal status. In Italy pregnancy is a ground for obtaining a special residence permit — permesso di soggiorno per cure mediche / maternità. This pregnancy permesso can be requested up to 6 months before the expected due date, and it is valid until 6 months after the baby is born.
Who can get the permesso per gravidanza
Any woman present on Italian territory, including those who are undocumented. The basis is article 19 D.Lgs. 286/1998: prohibition of expulsion of pregnant women and women with children up to 6 months. In practice this means the questura must issue a temporary residence permit.
How to obtain the pregnancy residence permit in Italy in 2026:
Obtain a pregnancy certificate
Contact the consultorio familiare or any doctor. The certificate (certificato di gravidanza) must include the expected due date. For undocumented women — go with the STP card.
Submit the application at the questura
With the pregnancy certificate, passport (if available) and the completed form, submit an application for permesso per cure mediche. The questura has no right to refuse — it is a direct provision of the law.
Receive the permesso
The permesso is issued for the period of pregnancy + 6 months after birth. With this residence permit you can legally stay in the country, get a tessera, and register for healthcare.
Practical experience
“Migrant children have full rights to healthcare and school regardless of the parents’ status. The mother during pregnancy is protected by law — she cannot be expelled, and a temporary permesso must be issued. This is not a loophole but a norm of Italian law.”
From a consultation with an immigration specialist
Permesso per gravidanza — not a path to permanent residence
This permesso is temporary. After 6 months following birth it must be converted into another type of residence permit (work, family) or you must leave the country. However, if during this time you find a job or another basis — conversion is possible. More about types of permesso — in our article on permesso di soggiorno.
Child benefits in Italy 2026: assegno unico, bonuses, ISEE
Which child benefits are available in Italy? How much do they pay and how to apply?
After the child is born in Italy you are entitled to a number of benefits and payments. The main condition for most of them is having an ISEE (declaration of household financial situation). If you haven’t yet arranged an ISEE, be sure to read our detailed article on ISEE and benefits.
| Benefit | Amount | Conditions | How to apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assegno Unico | up to 199 EUR/month per child | ISEE up to 45,574 EUR (maximum amount for ISEE up to 17,090 EUR) | Apply on the INPS website or via a patronato |
| Bonus Nuovi Nati | 1,000 EUR one-off | ISEE up to 40,000 EUR, children born from 01.01.2025 | Apply via INPS |
| Bonus Asilo Nido | up to 3,600 EUR/year | ISEE up to 40,000 EUR, child attends nursery | Apply via INPS + payment receipts |
| Carta Acquisti | 80 EUR every 2 months | ISEE up to 8,231 EUR, child up to 3 years | Apply at Poste Italiane |
| Bonus Bollette | up to 200 EUR/year | ISEE up to 9,796 EUR (up to 20,000 for families with 4+ children) | Automatic if you have ISEE |
From community discussion
“You really need to actively process all the paperwork here. The first two years are tough — documents, ISEE, applications for benefits. But if you do everything correctly, the payments are tangible. Assegno Unico + bonus nido — that’s 500–600 euros a month with a low ISEE.”
Experience of a mother of two, Florence
ISEE — the key to all benefits
Without an ISEE you will get only the minimum Assegno Unico (57 EUR/month). With ISEE up to 17,090 EUR — the maximum (199 EUR/month per child). The difference is huge. ISEE is issued for free at CAF. Detailed instructions — in our article.
Don’t forget the bonus nuovi nati
Since 2025 a one-off payment of 1,000 EUR for each newborn (ISEE up to 40,000 EUR) is available. Apply via the INPS website within 60 days of birth. Don’t miss this deadline — retroactive applications are not accepted.
Maternity leave in Italy 2026: duration, payments, INPS
How long is maternity leave in Italy? How much is paid? What if I’m self-employed with a Partita IVA?
Maternity leave in Italy (congedo di maternità) is a mandatory paid leave for working women. Here are the main parameters for 2026:
- Duration — 5 months mandatory leave. Standard scheme: 2 months before birth + 3 after. Alternative (with doctor’s agreement): 1 month before + 4 after birth
- Payment — 80% of average salary, paid by INPS (more about INPS)
- Work prohibition — the employer cannot allow you to work during the mandatory leave. It’s not just a right, it’s an obligation to rest
| Category | Mandatory leave | Payment | Additional leave |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employee (dipendente) | 5 months | 80% of salary | 6 months (optional) — 30% of salary |
| Self-employed (partita IVA) | 5 months | 80% of INPS calculation base | 3 months — 30% |
| Unemployed (with NASPI) | 5 months | 80% of NASPI | No |
| Father (congedo di paternità) | 10 working days | 100% of salary | Up to 6 months (optional) — 30% |
From the experience of self-employed moms
“With a Partita IVA there is maternity leave too, but the amounts are significantly lower. The calculation is based on the minimum INPS base, not real income. I received about 400 euros a month. But that’s better than nothing — plus all medical costs remain free.”
Experience of a freelancer with Partita IVA, Rome, 2025
Congedo parentale — additional parental leave
After mandatory maternity leave both parents have the right to congedo parentale (optional) — up to 6 months each, but a total of no more than 10 months between them. Payment — 30% of salary for the first 3 months (in 2026 — 80% for the first 2 months for each parent under new rules), then 30%. It can be taken in parts until the child is 12 years old.
Self-employed — apply in advance
If you work with a Partita IVA under the forfettario regime, the application for maternity payments must be submitted to INPS before the start of leave. Without an application — no payments. Many freelancers learn this too late. Check your INPS contributions and submit the domanda di maternità via the INPS website or a patronato. More about INPS — in our article.
Pediatrician in Italy: how to choose, vaccinations, first visit
How to choose a pediatrician for the child in Italy? Are vaccinations mandatory? How much does it cost?
In Italy every child up to 14 years is entitled to a free pediatrician (pediatra di libera scelta) — similar to a family doctor but only for children. A pediatrician is chosen through the ASL when registering the child for the tessera.
How it works:
- Choice — ASL gives you a list of available pediatricians in your area. You can choose any who has free slots. If a specific doctor is full — you’ll have to pick another or ask the ASL for an exception
- Cost — completely free up to 14 years. All visits, examinations, referrals for tests — without extra payments
- First visit — usually within the first week after discharge from the maternity ward. The pediatrician examines the baby, checks weight, gives feeding recommendations
- After 14 — the child moves to a regular family doctor (medico di base)
How to find a good pediatrician
Ask in local Russian-speaking groups — moms usually share contacts of good doctors. You can also check reviews on Google Maps (in Italian). You can change pediatricians at any time — just go to the ASL and submit a replacement request.
Vaccinations (vaccinazioni) in Italy are an important topic. By law 119/2017 ten vaccinations are mandatory for children from 0 to 16 years:
| Vaccine | Age (first dose) | Mandatory? |
|---|---|---|
| Polio | 3 months | Yes |
| Diphtheria | 3 months | Yes |
| Tetanus | 3 months | Yes |
| Pertussis (whooping cough) | 3 months | Yes |
| Hepatitis B | 3 months | Yes |
| Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) | 3 months | Yes |
| Measles | 13–15 months | Yes |
| Rubella | 13–15 months | Yes |
| Mumps | 13–15 months | Yes |
| Chickenpox (varicella) | 13–15 months | Yes |
No vaccinations — no nursery or preschool
In Italy children without mandatory vaccinations are not admitted to childcare (asilo nido) and preschool institutions (scuola materna) for children up to 6 years. For schoolchildren 6–16 years admission is allowed, but parents face a fine of 100 to 500 EUR. Vaccinations are free and administered at the ASL according to the calendario vaccinale.
From a mother’s experience
“Registering the child with a pediatrician and for vaccinations — the process is easy if you know where to go. At the ASL they explained everything, gave the vaccination schedule, and booked the first vaccination. Our pediatrician speaks only Italian, but we manage with Google Translate. The main thing is that everything is free and there are no queues.”
Experience of a mother from Padua, 2025
Calendario vaccinale — national vaccination schedule
In addition to the 10 mandatory vaccines, the Italian schedule recommends (free but not mandatory): meningococcal B and C, pneumococcus, rotavirus. All vaccinations are coordinated by the pediatrician and the ASL. The full schedule for 2026 can be found on the Ministero della Salute website.
Conclusions
The public SSN covers the full cycle: pregnancy monitoring, tests, delivery, postpartum. Even for undocumented women there is the STP card. In 2026 this rule remains unchanged.
The standard monitoring program includes all necessary examinations. A private gynecologist is optional but not necessary for quality care.
Dichiarazione di nascita — 3 days, codice fiscale, tessera, add the child to the permesso. Birth certificate with apostille for the consulate. All have deadlines.
Assegno Unico up to 199 EUR/month, bonus nuovi nati 1000 EUR, bonus asilo nido up to 3600 EUR/year. Without ISEE you lose money every month.
Even without documents you can get a temporary permesso. The law protects pregnant women from expulsion and guarantees access to healthcare.
For employees and the self-employed. Fathers are entitled to 10 days. Congedo parentale — additional up to 6 months each parent.
Choose via the ASL, vaccinations are mandatory (10 vaccines). Without vaccinations a child cannot attend nursery.