Introduction

Having a child in France as a foreigner is one of the most reassuring experiences of the French system — and one of the most paperwork-heavy. Medical follow-up is free or nearly free, maternity care is covered 100%, PMI supports you for the first six years, and CAF provides a birth bonus and several allowances based on your income. In contrast, the administrative procedures involved (declaration at the town hall, passport from the country of origin, birth certificate for family back home) require precise organization in the first few weeks.

This guide covers the entire journey, from pregnancy to the child's 18 months, with specifics based on your country of origin. It is aimed at both foreign couples and single parents, whether they are employees, students, on a residence permit, or in the process of regularization.

Pregnancy Follow-up: PMI, Midwife, Maternity

As soon as you know you are pregnant, make an appointment with a general practitioner, a private midwife, or — for free — a PMI (Protection Maternelle et Infantile). PMI is a departmental public service, present in every district and major municipality. It welcomes all pregnant women without any paperwork requirements, which is crucial to know if you are in the process of regularization.

Medical follow-up in France includes:

• 7 prenatal consultations + 1 early prenatal interview (EPP) at the 4th month
• 3 mandatory ultrasounds (12, 22, 32 weeks)
• Childbirth preparation: 8 reimbursed sessions (private midwife or PMI)
• Dental check-up offered at the 4th month

Everything is covered 100% by Health Insurance starting from the 6th month of pregnancy (excluding excess fees in private clinics). If you are affiliated with CPAM, your Carte Vitale covers everything. If you are under AME (State Medical Aid), it is also covered.

Public vs Private Maternity: Most foreigners give birth in public maternity (CHU, hospital). Cost for you: €0 if CPAM or AME, excluding individual room (€50 to €90/day). A private maternity can charge €800 to €2,500 in non-reimbursed excess fees. Complementary insurances (mutuelles) partially cover depending on the contract.

Hoang, a Vietnamese woman living in Nantes, gave birth in a CHU with an epidural, stayed in a double room, and incurred zero costs. Léa, a Brazilian with her professional mutual insurance, chose the private clinic in Neuilly and paid €1,800 out of pocket. Karima, a Moroccan still awaiting her permit, gave birth at CHU Bichat in Paris via AME, without paying a euro.

Birth Declaration: 5 Days, Not a Day More

Upon birth, the hospital provides you with a birth certificate. You have 5 working days (including Saturday, excluding Sunday and public holidays) to declare the birth at the town hall of the municipality where the child was born.

If you exceed this deadline, you will have to go through the judicial court (supplementary judgment procedure), which delays everything: passport, opening of CAF rights, nursery registration. Don’t delay.

Documents to bring to the town hall:

• Medical birth certificate issued by the maternity
• Identification documents of both parents
• Family record book (if it exists — otherwise, it will be created)
• Prenatal recognition act if parents are unmarried (ideally done before birth)
• Choice of the child's surname (since 2005, you can choose: father's name, mother's name, or both combined in any order you want — the decision is final for this child and all subsequent children of the couple)

You will leave with three copies of the birth certificate (keep them safe, you will need them for CAF, social security, the embassy, and the nursery). Also, request a multilingual birth certificate (CIEC form) if your country is a member of the Vienna Convention — it avoids translation for many procedures.

Vitale Card and CPAM for the Baby

The declaration at the town hall automatically triggers the creation of the baby's social security file. The baby is attached to both parents on their Carte Vitale (but only one at a time reimburses the care, to be chosen).

You will receive a provisional social security number within 1 to 3 weeks, followed by the definitive number (starting with 1 or 2 depending on the sex, followed by the year and month of birth) within 2 to 4 months. The baby's Carte Vitale is not created immediately — they use the parent's card. Personal card available at age 12.

If one of the parents is not affiliated with CPAM (for example, in the process of applying for a permit, or affiliated with AME), register the child under the affiliated parent — it’s faster and more stable.

Baby's Nationality: What France and Your Country Say

This is one of the most important — and most misunderstood — questions. Summary 2026:

• France: a child born in France to two foreign parents is not automatically French at birth. They become French at 18 if they have lived in France for 5 years since the age of 11 (Article 21-7 of the Civil Code). There is a possibility to apply for nationality at 13 with parental consent (Article 21-11), or at 16 alone.
• If one parent is French: the child is automatically French at birth, everywhere in the world.
• Country of origin: most countries grant their nationality by descent (jus sanguinis) — the child is also automatically Chinese, Moroccan, Senegalese, Vietnamese, Brazilian, etc., depending on your country.

Is dual nationality possible? For France, yes (France does not require renunciation). For your country of origin, it depends:

• China: does not recognize dual nationality. You must choose, generally between 16 and 18 years old. Many families keep both passports in practice but without declaring it.
• Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria: dual nationality accepted
• Vietnam: dual nationality tolerated
• Senegal, Brazil: dual nationality accepted
• Portugal: dual nationality accepted

Baby Passport from Country of Origin: Duration and Cost

To travel with your baby outside the EU, a passport is required. Since the child is not French at birth (unless one parent is French), it is the embassy or consulate of your country that issues it.

Typical documents: French birth certificate, country format photos (often different from EU format), parents' passports, sometimes marriage certificate or family record book. Request the precise list from the consulate — it evolves.

Approximate timelines and costs in 2026:

• China: 6 to 10 weeks, €110, consulates in Paris/Lyon/Marseille/Strasbourg
• Morocco: 4 to 8 weeks, €30, several consulates
• Vietnam: 4 to 6 weeks, €80, embassy in Paris
• Senegal: 4 to 8 weeks, €60, embassy in Paris
• Brazil: 3 to 5 weeks, €75, consulates in Paris/Lyon
• Portugal: 3 to 4 weeks, €50, embassy in Paris (EU citizenship included)

Anh, a Vietnamese mother in Strasbourg, processed her son's passport through the embassy in 5 weeks. Pierre and Maria, Brazilian parents in Lyon, took advantage of the Lyon consulate to avoid Paris.

CAF: What You Are Entitled To

The CAF (Caisse d'Allocations Familiales) provides several aids to families. You are entitled to it as soon as you have been in France regularly for at least 3 months (residence permit required for the birth bonus, but AME is not sufficient). Registration online at caf.fr.

Birth and early childhood aids in 2026:

• Birth bonus (PAJE): €1,019.43 paid at the 7th month of pregnancy (subject to income conditions, couple ceiling for 2 children ~ €50,000/year)
• Base PAJE allowance: €188 or €94/month until age 3 (depending on income)
• Free choice of childcare supplement (CMG): €230 to €880/month if private nursery, childminder, or home care (depending on income + number of children)
• Family allowances: starting from the 2nd child, ~ €145/month (subject to conditions)
• Family supplement: €195 to €295/month if 3 or more children, under ceiling

The calculation is based on the CAF family quotient, which combines income + household composition. Simulate on caf.fr before applying to avoid surprises.

Childcare Options: Nursery, Childminder, Home Care

From 2.5 months (end of maternity leave), you can entrust the baby. Three main options:

• Public nursery: €0.30 to €3/hour depending on income. Highly sought after, registration as soon as pregnancy at the town hall. Very long waiting list in Paris (only 15 to 30% admitted).
• Private nursery: €1,200 to €1,800/month full-time, but the CAF CMG reimburses €230 to €880/month depending on income.
• Registered childminder (nanny): €4 to €8/hour, at her home, contracted via Pajemploi. CMG also applicable.
• Home care: €12 to €18/hour gross at your home, the most expensive but the most flexible.

In Summary

• Free PMI, open without residence permit during and after pregnancy
• Town hall declaration in 5 days or judicial procedure
• Baby not French at birth if both parents are foreign (becomes French at 18 under conditions)
• Embassy passport: 3 to 10 weeks depending on country
• CAF bonus of €1,019 at the 7th month if eligible
• Nursery: registration as soon as pregnancy, very limited places in large cities

On Pionra

On Pionra, the communities Chinese, Moroccan, Vietnamese, Portuguese, Senegalese, and Brazilian share their tips on the warmest PMIs, pediatricians speaking the country’s language, and consular procedures for the passport. Ask your questions on /fr/communautes.

FAQ

My baby is born in France and we are in the process of applying for a residence permit. Can they have a Carte Vitale?

Yes. If one parent has been in France for more than three months and benefits from CPAM or AME, the child is attached without difficulty. A recently arrived parent also benefits from AME for their child. Care is free in all cases in public maternity.

Is maternity leave paid for foreigners?

Yes, regardless of your nationality, provided you have contributed at least 150 hours in the previous 3 months (or 600 hours over 12 months). Duration: 16 weeks (6 before + 10 after) for a first or second child, 26 weeks from the 3rd. Compensation is 100% of salary up to the social security ceiling (~ €3,925/month in 2026).

Can my child be enrolled in school even if I do not have a valid residence permit?

Yes, school is mandatory and free from age 3 for all children present on the territory, without exception related to the administrative status of the parents (International Convention on the Rights of the Child + Education Code). Registration at the town hall with birth certificate and proof of residence.

How to have the French birth certificate recognized in my country of origin?

Request a multilingual birth certificate (CIEC) or have the certificate translated and apostilled by a sworn translator. Submit it to the civil registry of your country via the embassy. For China, certified translation + consular authentication in Paris/Lyon (~ €60).

Can I give birth in France if I am on a tourist visa?

Yes, but without Carte Vitale or AME, you will pay the full cost of the birth (€3,000 to €7,000 in public hospital, more in private). Anticipate travel insurance that covers pregnancy — most exclude it, so check the contract carefully. It’s better to give birth in your home country unless it’s an emergency.