Berlin has excellent maternity care. The main question is: hospital, birth center (Geburtshaus), or home birth? Here’s a breakdown to help you decide.
Option 1: Hospital (Krankenhaus)
Most expats give birth in a hospital. Berlin has many with English-speaking midwives and doctors.
Popular hospitals:
- Charité (multiple campuses) — largest hospital in Europe
- DRK Kliniken
- Vivantes Netzwerk für Gesundheit
- Evangelisches Waldkrankenhaus
What to look for: whether they offer water births, whether partners can stay overnight, and how well they support breastfeeding.
Option 2: Birth Center (Geburtshaus)
A Geburtshaus is a midwife-led birth center. It’s more home-like than a hospital. If everything goes smoothly, you can go home just a few hours after giving birth.
Important: birth centers are only for low-risk pregnancies. If complications arise, you’ll be transferred to a nearby hospital.
Option 3: Home Birth (Hausgeburt)
Home births are legal in Germany. You’ll need a midwife (Hebamme) who specializes in home births. These are rare and becoming harder to find, but they exist.
Finding a Hebamme (midwife)
A Hebamme is your most important support person during and after pregnancy. Start looking for one at 8–10 weeks pregnant — they book up fast in Berlin.
Your Hebamme visits you at home after birth, helps with breastfeeding, and checks that you and the baby are recovering well. This is covered by your health insurance.
Tip for expats
Ask your gynecologist for recommendations. Many expat parent Facebook groups in Berlin also share current Hebamme availability.