Blog · 2024-02-28

Choosing where to give birth in 2025: the US, Canada, Portugal, Argentina, Chile and Brazil

Choosing where to give birth is one of the most consequential decisions expectant parents face - especially those who want to open more doors for their child. A birth abroad can secure a second citizenship, and with it visa-free travel, access to the world's best universities, the freedom to build an international business, and much more. The most popular destinations for giving birth abroad are Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Portugal, Canada and the United States. Here is how each one stacks up.

Giving birth in the United States

The upside

• Citizenship for the child. Every child born on US soil is entitled to American citizenship - that of a strong, developed nation. A US passport carries lasting advantages:
  • Visa-free travel. US citizens can enter 174 countries visa-free, including the Schengen area, the United Kingdom and Japan.
  • Education. The country is known for the quality of its education, and your child will be able to access it on favourable terms (foreign students often pay roughly double).
  • Life in America. The US is a land of opportunity: a developed economy, an immense cultural heritage, room to do business and a great deal more.
• The option to renounce US citizenship, as well as the possibility of dual citizenship.
• Standard of medicine and service. American healthcare is among the best in the world, and every medical facility is built around the comfort and safety of the patient. Doctors want the mother to be well and the birth to remain a bright, happy memory for life, and a great deal of attention is paid to the mother's individual wishes.

The downside

• A mistaken sense of "privilege." Many people assume citizenship is a reward in itself, but that is not the case. It genuinely opens up many opportunities, yet it confers nothing automatically at birth unless the person puts in the effort to reach their goals.
• No citizenship benefits for the parents. Parents can only obtain citizenship through family reunification once the child comes of age, at 21.
• The tax burden. If a US-citizen child later lives in another country, they will still owe income tax to the US Treasury.
• The cost of the birth. Without insurance, medical fees can start at $20,000.

Giving birth in Canada

The upside

• Canadian citizenship. The child automatically becomes a citizen, with all the advantages that brings:
  • life in a country that ranks in the UN's top ten places to live;
  • visa-free entry to 185 countries, including the Schengen area, the US, the UK and Australia;
  • free nursery and school education, plus discounted access to higher education;
  • plenty of business opportunities - Canada has no double-taxation with many countries;
  • world-class healthcare.
• Dual citizenship is permitted.
• Safe, comfortable births. The Canadian healthcare system offers high-quality care for expectant mothers, including antenatal preparation, support during labour and postnatal recovery. Statistics show a low complication rate, making Canada one of the safest places to give birth.
• Legal birth tourism. Only a handful of developed countries allow people to travel in specifically to give birth, and Canada is one of them. You will need to prove that your family is financially self-sufficient and will return home after the birth.

The downside

• No citizenship for the parents. Parents can only obtain citizenship once the child comes of age, at 18, and agrees to sponsor them.
• High cost. Although healthcare is free for citizens and residents, foreigners must pay for medical services, and the cost of giving birth in Canada is steep - the whole process runs to roughly $40,000.
• Getting a visa. A Canadian visa is not easy to obtain, and you will face bureaucratic hurdles and extra expense.
• A high cost of living and high tax rates for Canadian citizens.

Giving birth in Portugal

The upside

• Citizenship for the child. A child born in the country can automatically claim citizenship - with one condition: at least one parent must have lived in Portugal legally for at least a year before the birth. Once all the conditions are met, the child will in future enjoy every benefit of the passport:
  • life in a developed state;
  • visa-free entry to more than 170 countries, including the Schengen area, Japan and Singapore;
  • free secondary and higher education;
  • the chance to build a future in Portugal and across the EU - starting a business or landing a prestigious job;
  • a favourable tax regime;
  • an affordable, high-quality healthcare system.
• Dual citizenship is permitted.
• A high standard of medical care. Portugal takes pride in a healthcare system that regularly ranks among the world's best. Pregnant women receive skilled, attentive care, and everyone living in the country - including foreign nationals with resident status - is entitled to free medical care, including childbirth and postnatal support.
• Nature and climate. A mild climate, clean air and proximity to the sea are all good for a pregnant woman's health and her baby's development.

The downside

• Bureaucracy. Securing resident status in order to meet the conditions for the child's citizenship can be a trial, thanks to red tape and added costs.
• The cost of living and healthcare for non-residents. For foreigners without resident status, medical care in Portugal can be quite expensive. On top of that, the high cost of living in major cities such as Lisbon and Porto can push up the total cost of staying in the country during pregnancy and birth.
• No simplified path to citizenship for the parents.

Giving birth in Argentina

The upside

• Citizenship for the child. A child born in the country can automatically claim citizenship, making them the holder of one of the world's strongest passports:
  • visa-free entry to more than 170 countries, including the Schengen area, the UK and Japan;
  • the chance to settle in a country with a fairly low cost of living;
  • access to quality healthcare (Argentina ranks 33rd in the world on the healthcare index);
  • a favourable tax regime;
  • expedited US and Canadian visas, plus eligibility for the US E-2 business visa;
  • no military conscription;
  • no double taxation.
• Immediate citizenship rights for the parents. Parents need not wait or spend any set amount of time in the country to obtain citizenship.

2025 update. Giving birth in Argentina used to open doors for parents too: the mother, father and any older children of foreign nationals were automatically granted permanent residence. But under a new decree issued on 29 May 2025, the parents of Argentine citizens will no longer receive permanent residence automatically. They can now apply only for temporary residence, and for permanent residence they must prove sufficient income to live on and a clean criminal record. Permanent residence is revoked if the holder spends more than a year outside the country, while temporary residents may leave for no more than six months at a time. Citizenship applications can now be filed only by those who have lived in Argentina for at least two years without leaving.

• Dual citizenship is permitted.
• A high-quality healthcare system. Argentina offers a high standard of care, a wide choice of maternity hospitals and doctors who are attentive and competent.
• Visa-free entry for Russian citizens. Before the birth you can travel to the country freely and get a feel for it before making your final decision.
• Affordability. Compared with the US, Canada or Europe, medical care in Argentina costs less while remaining competitively high in quality.

The downside

• A long wait for your other children's citizenship. Children born outside Argentina can only obtain the passport once they come of age, at 18.
• The language barrier. While some doctors speak English, Spanish remains the main language, which can create difficulties.

Giving birth in Brazil

The upside

• Citizenship for the child. A child born in the country is automatically entitled to citizenship and all its future benefits:
  • visa-free entry to more than 170 countries, including the Schengen area, the UK and others;
  • free access to healthcare and education;
  • the ability to set up an international business;
  • a simplified route to Portuguese citizenship (a three-year naturalisation period).
• Immediate residence for the whole family.
• Citizenship for the parents after one year. After a year of living as residents, parents may apply for citizenship.
• Dual citizenship is permitted.
• A high standard of medical care. Brazil has a number of private clinics and maternity hospitals with modern equipment and highly qualified staff, ensuring quality care and an individual approach to every mother. With a local health policy, even foreigners can receive free treatment in state facilities.
• A favourable climate. Warm weather, fresh fruit and a mild climate help a woman feel comfortable throughout her pregnancy.

The downside

• To obtain citizenship, parents must speak Portuguese.
• The language barrier. Few people in Brazil speak English - everything happens in Portuguese, which can make communicating with doctors difficult.
• High prices for housing and groceries.
• A modest standard of education.

Giving birth in Chile

The upside

• Citizenship for the child. A Chilean passport can be obtained by birthright on the country's territory. Its advantages include:
  • visa-free entry to more than 160 countries, including the US, Australia and Canada;
  • free medical care;
  • free education;
  • the chance to live and work in a country with a warm, mild climate.
• Citizenship for the parents. After the birth, the parents can obtain residence, and after two years living as residents, citizenship.
• Dual citizenship is permitted.
• Visa-free travel for Russian citizens. Visa-free entry lets you visit before the birth and lets relatives and friends who want to see you come and go freely.
• Quality of care. Chile is renowned for one of the best healthcare systems in Latin America, with a wide choice of maternity hospitals and warm, attentive staff. Births in Chile are comfortable and safe.
• Cost. Giving birth at a Chilean clinic costs far less than in the US or Europe - around $5,000.

The downside

• The language barrier. Spanish is the main language in Chile, which can create difficulties when dealing with doctors.
• Some crime.
• Bureaucracy. Handling the paperwork for residence or citizenship is not straightforward.

Conclusion

Choosing where to give birth is a difficult decision, one that should weigh not only the citizenship on offer but also the quality of medical care, the cost, and the language and cultural factors involved. Parents should weigh every pro and con carefully to make the best choice for themselves and their future child.

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