How Much Does It Cost to Be Pregnant in France? A Complete Guide for Expats

Moving to France while pregnant—or becoming pregnant as a foreigner already living here—can raise many questions. One of the biggest concerns for many expecting expat parents is: how much will this cost me?
The good news is: France is one of the most supportive countries in the world when it comes to maternal healthcare. Thanks to its strong public healthcare system and social support services, being pregnant in France is not only safe but also very affordable, even for non-citizens.

This article breaks down everything you need to know about pregnancy-related costs in France, what’s covered, what isn’t, and how you can access help as an expat—especially if you don’t speak French.

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Overview: Pregnancy and the French Healthcare System

France offers high-quality maternal care, including regular checkups, ultrasounds, birth preparation classes, and postpartum support. These services are either free or heavily subsidized, depending on your situation.

The majority of these costs are covered through:

• Assurance Maladie (French public health insurance)

• Your complementary health insurance (mutuelle)

• CAF (Caisse d’Allocations Familiales) for financial aid

If you’re working legally in France or are the dependent of someone who is, you’re usually already entitled to this coverage. If not, you can often apply for PUMa (Protection Universelle Maladie), France’s universal health coverage.

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What’s Covered (and When)

Early Pregnancy: 70% Coverage

In the first five months of pregnancy, most medical costs are covered at 70% by Assurance Maladie:

• Doctor visits (GP, gynecologist, or midwife)

• Blood tests and routine lab work

• Early ultrasounds

If you have a mutuelle (a private health insurance policy that complements public coverage), it will usually cover the remaining 30%, so you pay nothing out of pocket.

If you don’t have a mutuelle, you may pay a portion of these costs upfront (usually between €25 and €70 per visit or exam), but much of it will be reimbursed.

From 6th Month Onward: 100% Coverage

From the first day of your 6th month, everything related to your pregnancy is covered 100% by Assurance Maladie, including:

• Prenatal appointments

• Ultrasounds

• Blood tests

• Hospitalization

• Childbirth

This applies whether you give birth in a public hospital or a private clinic. However, some private hospitals or doctors may charge extra fees (called dépassements d’honoraires) that aren’t always covered. These can range from €100 to €500 depending on the practitioner.

💡 Tip: Ask your doctor or clinic upfront if they charge extra fees, and check if your mutuelle will reimburse them.

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Giving Birth in France: What It Costs

The actual birth—whether vaginal or cesarean—is fully covered in most public hospitals. You will usually stay in the maternity ward for 3 to 5 days.
What’s included:

• Hospital stay and meals

• Delivery room and staff

• Epidural and anesthesia

• Postnatal monitoring

Extras That May Cost More:

• Private room: Some hospitals offer private rooms for an additional fee (usually €50–€150/day). Your mutuelle may cover this.

• Partner meals: Meals for your partner are usually not included.

• Extra ultrasounds or non-essential scans: Only three ultrasounds are reimbursed as part of standard care. Additional scans may require out-of-pocket payment unless medically justified.

👶 Many mothers give birth in France without paying anything beyond the cost of comfort extras.

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Costs Without Insurance: What If I’m Not Yet Covered?

If you’re newly arrived in France or still applying for your health coverage, you may need to pay upfront. However:

• First-trimester consultations range from €25 to €50

• Ultrasounds cost around €70–€150 each

• Blood tests and lab work vary from €15 to €100

But don’t panic: once your social security number is active, you can request retroactive reimbursement for many of these costs.

If you are in a financially vulnerable situation, you may also be eligible for free access to care through Aide Médicale de l’État (AME) or CMU-C, depending on your residency status.

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Financial Help for Expecting Mothers

In addition to medical coverage, the French state provides financial aid for new families through CAF.

Prime à la naissance (Birth Grant)

This is a one-time payment of €1,019 (as of 2024), paid after the birth of your child. It is means-tested, so not every family qualifies, but many expats do.

To receive it, you must:

• Declare your pregnancy before the 14th week

• Submit the necessary documents to CAF

• Meet certain income thresholds

Allocation de base

After the birth, you may be eligible for monthly payments of around €184 per child (2024 rate) until your child turns three. This too is means-tested.

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Other Pregnancy-Related Costs to Consider

Even in France, a few expenses fall outside the public healthcare system:

Hiring a Doula or perinatal companion can be a beautiful complement to your care, especially if you feel isolated, don’t speak French fluently, or want someone at your side emotionally. While not reimbursed by the state, many expat parents find this support life-changing.

At Motherhood in France, we offer English-speaking Doula and pregnancy support services for expat mothers — helping you feel confident, understood, and fully guided through your French pregnancy journey.

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How to Reduce Costs (Even More)

1. Register early with Assurance Maladie – the sooner you’re in the system, the less you’ll pay.

2. Apply for a mutuelle – it can cover extras and non-reimbursed fees.

3. Ask about fees in advance – especially for private clinics.

4. Keep all receipts – you can submit them later for reimbursement.

5. Explore CAF support – even if you’re not sure you’re eligible.

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Conclusion

Being pregnant in France is not only a safe and well-supported experience, but it’s also remarkably affordable—especially compared to many other countries.
Most medical costs are fully covered by the French health system, and financial aid is available to help you get started as a new parent.

If you’re feeling unsure about navigating the system in a foreign language, remember that you don’t have to do it alone.
Motherhood in France is here to help you understand your rights, access care, and feel at home in your pregnancy journey — in English, with kindness and clarity.