The admission of a newborn to the neonatal unit comes with a lot of stress and emotions. There is often little energy left to deal with all the administrative tasks that come with a (preterm) birth. We have created an overview to help you organize all the required administrative steps.
Administration
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Acknowledgement of a child
A legal acknowledgement formally establishes a bond of fatherhood, motherhood or co-motherhood. By acknowledging a child, the same rights and responsibilities are obtained as those held by the partner in relation to the child. An acknowledgment is not always required. For example, the woman who has given birth to the child is automatically considered the mother. The partner of the mother is likewise automatically recognized as the father or co‑mother when the child is born during a marriage
With a certificate from a gynaecologist stating the estimated due date, a child can be acknowledged before birth. This can also be arranged after birth, at the same time as the birth registration. The acknowledgment can be requested at the civil registry office of the municipality of residence or through a notary. Both parents must appear together before the civil registry officer to submit the acknowledgment request.
Documents to bring:
Identity card and a medical certificate stating the estimated due date.
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Birth registration
After the birth of a (preterm) baby, the birth must be registered within 15 calendar days. This must be done at the civil registry office of the municipality where the child was born. It is also possible to complete the registration online (if available) via Mijn Burgerprofiel or through the website of the municipality where the child was born. In some municipalities, birth registration can also be completed at the maternity ward. This ensures that the newborn is entered into the population register, and the parents will later receive an invitation to collect the identity documents.
Documents to bring:
Identity card, medical birth certificate, marriage certificate or the child’s acknowledgment document
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Social services
For administrative support, contact can be made with the hospital’s social services department. This department provides information about social services, potential allowances, and the conditions required to apply for them. In cases of financial difficulties, guidance can be offered and referrals can be made if necessary. Contacting the hospital’s social services department is strongly recommended.
Hospitalization insurance
The costs for a newborn are covered under the mother’s hospitalization insurance as long as the mother is also admitted to the hospital. Note: hospitalization insurance is an additional insurance (and therefore not mandatory) and must be taken out personally by the mother.
If a baby (e.g., a preterm infant or a baby with a medical condition) requires a longer hospital stay, the child must be registered separately under the mother’s hospitalization insurance or that of the partner. This must be done as soon as possible after birth.
Registration is completed by informing the insurer (private company or health insurance fund) of the birth and requesting that the child be added to the policy.
Groeipakket
Every child in Flanders is entitled to a Groeipakket
if the general conditions are met. A Groeipakket consists of a birth benefit, a monthly basic amount, and an annual school bonus. The total amount received is tailored to the family’s situation. Depending on family income and family size, entitlement may also exist to a social allowance or school allowance.
The Groeipakket can be applied for through a Groeipakket payment provider of choice. In Flanders, there are five equivalent payment providers: Parentia, MyFamily, Infino, FONS, and KidsLife.
The birth benefit in Flanders is granted once at the birth of a child. In 2024, this amount is €1,238.78 and can be requested from the sixth month of pregnancy through the Groeipakket payment provider of choice. The start amount is adjusted annually in September. For the most recent amount, consultation of the Groeipakket website or the website of the chosen payment provider is recommended.
Each child in Flanders receives a monthly basic amount of €180.19 in 2024. When the birth benefit has been granted before birth, the basic amount automatically follows after the child is registered at the municipality. Monthly payments of the Groeipakket are made no later than the 8th of the following month (for example: the payment for April is made no later than 8 May). The basic amount may be adjusted annually in September. For the most recent amount, consultation of the Groeipakket website or the website of the payment provider is recommended.
Every child entitled to the Groeipakket also receives a school bonus. This bonus is paid automatically in August. No additional actions are required for this. The amount of the school bonus depends on the age of the child. Click here for more information about the school bonus.
Children with specific support needs are entitled to a care allowance. More information can be found here.
Health insurance fund
A health insurance fund manages the compulsory health insurance system in Belgium. The health insurance fund provides, among other things, the allowance during maternity leave, and also offers various additional benefits such as the birth allowance. This allowance is an extra benefit granted by the health insurance fund upon the birth of a child. It typically involves financial support in the form of a breastfeeding allowance, a (partial) reimbursement of diapers, a set amount for baby items, and similar benefits.
Most health insurance funds also offer maternity care as a birth-related benefit. In such cases, part of the hourly cost is reimbursed by the health insurance fund, usually up to a specified maximum amount.
The benefits differ from one health insurance fund to another. Check the website of your own health insurance fund to discover the benefits you are entitled to.
Leave arrangements
An expectant mother is entitled to a number of weeks of leave, both before and after childbirth. The partner is also entitled to several days of leave. Take a look at our page about the different leave arrangements.
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