Women's and Family Health
Pregnancy and maternity care in Spain
How pregnancy monitoring and maternity care work in Spain's public healthcare system.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-15
This guide is not yet verified by Tuchati's editorial review — treat it as a helpful starting point, not a final legal answer.
Overview
Pregnancy care in Spain's public system is thorough and free at the point of use for anyone entitled to public healthcare, combining primary care, midwife (matrona) and obstetrician support throughout.
Requirements
- You need to be registered for public healthcare (or hold appropriate private insurance) to access this care
Step-by-step process
- Book an appointment with your primary-care doctor as soon as you suspect or confirm you're pregnant
- Your doctor arranges initial blood and urine tests and refers you to a midwife (matrona) and, as needed, an obstetrician for ongoing monitoring
- Attend scheduled check-ups through each trimester — these typically include routine blood and urine tests, a screening test around week 12, a glucose tolerance test for gestational diabetes, and a test for streptococcus later in pregnancy
- Your midwife is generally your main point of contact for a straightforward pregnancy, with the obstetrician involved more directly if complications arise
- Delivery takes place at your assigned public hospital, or a private one if using private insurance
Required documents
- Health card (tarjeta sanitaria)
- Any relevant prior medical history relating to previous pregnancies, if applicable
Common mistakes
- Waiting too long to book the first appointment — earlier bookings allow the full schedule of trimester checks to be arranged properly
- Assuming private care is necessary for good pregnancy care — Spain's public maternity care is comprehensive and widely used, including by those who could afford private care
Practical tips
- Ask your midwife directly about antenatal classes (preparación al parto), commonly offered free through the public system
- If your pregnancy is straightforward, your midwife — not the obstetrician — is typically your main and most consistent point of contact throughout
How Tuchati can help
Tuchati can help you understand what to expect at each stage and make sure you're registered and set up before your first appointment.