Practical guide: Having a child

The arrival of a child marks the beginning of a new phase in the parents’ lives.

This practical guide gathers together information on the rights and duties that come with motherhood and fatherhood, from pregnancy to the end of children’s paediatric age, as well as information on important documents for the child, such as the Citizen Card and birth certificate.

Health, parental leave, leaves and absences for working parents and adoption in Portugal are some of the topics addressed.

You will find the following information in this guide:

For information on breastfeeding, caring for a baby (bathing, carrying and transporting them, the dangers of choking and any warning signs) or the role of parents, see the ‘Guide for parents’ on the SNS 24 portal.

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Information updated on July 26, 2023