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Verified rules

Having a child

Birth registration, health insurance within 3 months, family allowance and parental leave.

Civena’s verified rule set covers 5 steps for this situation. Which of them apply depends on your canton, commune, permit and household.

Rules checked against official sources on 23 September 2026.

Work out my steps

Having a child: key deadlines

Having a child: what you may have to do

After the birth

  1. Birth registration with the civil register office

    MunicipalityDeadline: Within 3 days of birth

    The birth must be registered within three days at the civil register office of the place of birth. Normally the hospital, birth centre or midwife does this; you only need to act if no professional was present.

    Why
    ch.ch: registering a birth.
    Authority
    Civil register office of the place of birth (ch.ch, opens in a new tab)
    Report incorrect information

  2. Take out basic health insurance for your baby

    FederalDeadline: Within 3 months of birth

    Insure your baby within three months of birth; cover then applies retroactively from birth. Supplementary insurance is best arranged before the birth.

    Why
    KVG Art. 3: insurance within three months of birth.
    Authority
    ch.ch – Swiss authorities online (ch.ch, opens in a new tab)
    Report incorrect information

  3. Apply for family allowance

    Federal

    Family allowance is not paid automatically. Employees apply through their employer; self-employed people apply to their family allowance fund. Claims can be made up to five years retroactively.

    Why
    ch.ch: family allowance.
    Authority
    ch.ch – Swiss authorities online (ch.ch, opens in a new tab)
    Report incorrect information

  4. If you gave birth: maternity allowance

    Federal

    Maternity leave lasts 14 weeks, with an allowance of 80% of earnings up to CHF 220 per day, if you were AHV-insured for 9 months and worked 5 months before the birth.

    Why
    ch.ch: maternity leave.
    Authority
    ch.ch – Swiss authorities online (ch.ch, opens in a new tab)
    Report incorrect information

  5. Other parent: take the 2-week leave within 6 months

    FederalDeadline: Within 6 months of birth

    The other parent’s leave is two weeks (14 daily allowances), paid at 80% up to CHF 220 per day, and must be taken within six months of the birth.

    Why
    ch.ch: co-parental leave.
    Authority
    ch.ch – Swiss authorities online (ch.ch, opens in a new tab)
    Report incorrect information

Having a child: official starting points

Frequently asked questions

We’re having a baby: what do I have to do?
Depending on your situation, the steps include: Take out basic health insurance for your baby; Apply for family allowance; If you gave birth: maternity allowance; Other parent: take the 2-week leave within 6 months.
Take out basic health insurance for your baby: what is the deadline?
Within 3 months of birth. KVG Art. 3: insurance within three months of birth.
Other parent: take the 2-week leave within 6 months: what is the deadline?
Within 6 months of birth. ch.ch: co-parental leave.