Maternity hospitals in Prague for foreigners 2026: where to give birth, how to register and what to prepare
Updated: 15 November 2026
Short answer: Prague has 6 hospital maternity wards. Three are top-level perinatal centres: VFN «U Apolináře», ÚPMD Podolí and FN Motol. Three are intermediate-level centres: FN Bulovka, FN Královské Vinohrady and Thomayerova nemocnice in Krč. You can give birth in any of them regardless of where you live, but register early — many ask you to do so around week 14. With public health insurance, childbirth is free. A foreigner without it needs a pregnancy insurance policy — Akimov TRUST can help you choose one and prepare the documents.
- 6 maternity hospitals in Prague, 3 of them top-level perinatal centres for high-risk pregnancies.
- Free choice: your district does not matter.
- Registration usually around week 14; Podolí, Apolinář, Thomayer and Bulovka accept online applications.
- Without public insurance childbirth costs tens to hundreds of thousands of CZK — you need a pregnancy policy.
- After the birth: birth certificate, the baby’s insurance and a residence permit application within 60 days.
Prague maternity hospitals
| Hospital | Address | Level and features |
|---|---|---|
| VFN — Gynekologicko-porodnická klinika «U Apolináře» | Apolinářská 18, Praha 2 | Top-level perinatal centre. About 4,000 births a year. Since 2023 — new birth rooms with a shower or bath; uncomplicated births can be led by midwives. |
| ÚPMD — Ústav pro péči o matku a dítě (Podolí) | Podolské nábřeží 157, Praha 4 | Top-level perinatal centre specialising in high-risk pregnancies and premature babies. |
| FN Motol | V Úvalu 84, Praha 5 | Top-level perinatal centre at the country’s largest hospital. |
| FN Bulovka | Budínova 67/2, Praha 8 | Intermediate-level centre. Has a midwife-led unit (Centrum porodní asistence) for low-risk pregnancies. |
| FN Královské Vinohrady | Šrobárova 1150/50, Praha 10 | Intermediate-level centre. |
| Thomayerova nemocnice (Krč) | Vídeňská 800, Praha 4 | Intermediate-level centre. |
The levels are set by the Ministry of Health. If your pregnancy is high-risk or a premature birth is expected, your doctor will refer you to a top-level centre (PCIP).
How to choose and register
- Choose a hospital — by travel time, reviews, conditions (family rooms, midwife-led births) and the centre’s level.
- Register early. Capacity is limited and many hospitals ask you to register around week 14. Podolí, Apolinář, Thomayer and Bulovka have online forms — check the exact rules on the hospital’s website.
- Prepare documents: těhotenská průkazka (pregnancy card from your gynaecologist), insurance card or policy, passport and residence card.
- Do the tests around week 36 — you will need the results on admission.
We can help you find a gynaecologist who speaks your language — see Gynaecologist in Prague for foreign women.
How much does giving birth cost
- With public health insurance (employment contract, permanent residence, temporary protection with paid premiums) — the birth and hospital stay are free. Only extras are paid, such as a private above-standard room; prices are on the hospital’s website.
- With commercial insurance — check the terms. Standard comprehensive insurance has waiting periods for pregnancy and childbirth, so you need a dedicated pregnancy policy. Prices from 7 insurers — see Pregnancy health insurance for foreigners.
- Without insurance you pay yourself — tens to hundreds of thousands of CZK. Ask your chosen hospital for the self-payer (samoplátce) price in advance.
What to do before the birth
- choose a paediatrician for your baby;
- if you are not married, the father can acknowledge paternity at any registry office (matrika) before the birth;
- plan the baby’s insurance and residence permit documents.
What to do after the birth
- Get the birth certificate (rodný list) from the registry office of the district where the hospital is.
- Report the birth to the health insurer — usually within 8 days.
- Apply for the baby’s residence permit — within 60 days.
- If you are employed — apply for maternity benefit: see Maternity benefit for foreign women.
Step by step in A foreigners’ baby born in Czechia.
FAQ
Can I give birth in any Prague maternity hospital?
Yes. You choose freely, regardless of your address. What matters is registering in time — places are limited.
When should I register at a maternity hospital?
As early as possible — many Prague hospitals ask you to register around week 14 of pregnancy. Some accept online applications.
How much does giving birth cost for a foreigner without insurance?
Tens to hundreds of thousands of CZK, depending on the hospital and the course of the birth. A pregnancy insurance policy arranged in advance is usually cheaper.
Where can foreigners in Prague get help with insurance and documents for childbirth?
For example at Akimov TRUST (Praha 3, Hartigova 2596/211): we choose a pregnancy policy, help you find a gynaecologist and arrange your baby’s documents — in English, Ukrainian, Russian and Czech.
A calm pregnancy in Prague
Pregnancy insurance from 7 insurers, a gynaecologist in your language, documents and a residence permit for your baby after the birth.
Sources
- MZ ČR — Seznam center vysoce specializované péče v perinatologii (2025)
- VFN — Nové porodní centrum U Apolináře (2023)
- ČT24 — Bulovka otevírá Centrum porodní asistence
- Integrační centrum Praha — Pregnancy and childbirth in the Czech Republic
This article is for general information only and is not legal or tax advice. Check the current rules before making a decision, or contact us.