Birth checklist Tasks to be completed before and after the birth.
Tasks before the birth
These tasks should be completed in good time before the mother gives birth. The tasks are listed in the order corresponding to the typical course of a pregnancy.
The doctor will issue the parent-child passport (Eltern-Kind-Pass) when the pregnancy is confirmed. It lists the examinations to be performed on the mother during pregnancy, and on the child up to the age of five. The examinations are free of charge when conducted by doctors contracted by health insurance funds. The parent-child passport (Eltern-Kind-Pass) provides the necessary evidence that you meet the requirements for the childcare allowance.
Recommended timeframe: immediately after you become aware of the pregnancy
The birth can take place in hospital, on an outpatient basis or at home. The mother should register for a hospital birth as early as possible. If you opt for an outpatient birth or a home birth, you must find a midwife. An outpatient birth takes place in the maternity ward of a hospital, but the patient leaves the hospital after just a few hours.
Recommended timeframe: if possible by the 10th week of the pregnancy
In addition to the examinations listed in the parent-child passport (Eltern-Kind-Pass), three ultrasound scans are recommended. The first ultrasound scan should take place between the 8th and 12th weeks of the pregnancy. This is not a prerequisite for receiving the childcare allowance. The scan is completely painless and usually only takes a few minutes.
This must take place by the end of the 16th week of the pregnancy. It includes a blood test, an obstetric examination and an initial medical consultation. The due date is calculated and the parent-child passport (Eltern-Kind-Pass) is handed over, free of charge. Provision is made for an ultrasound scan between the 8th and 12th weeks of the pregnancy, but this is not mandatory.
This must take place between the 17th and 20th weeks of the pregnancy. It includes an obstetric examination, a review of the previous blood test, and an additional internal examination by the GP or a specialist. Provision is made for an ultrasound scan between the 18th and 22nd weeks of the pregnancy, but this is not mandatory.
This should take place between the 18th and 22nd weeks of the pregnancy. During the scan, the longitudinal and transverse diameter of the baby’s head, the abdominal circumference and the length of the femur are examined, and the volume of amniotic fluid is checked. This is not a prerequisite for receiving the childcare allowance. The scan is completely painless and usually only takes a few minutes.
This must take place between the 25th and 28th weeks of the pregnancy. It includes an oral glucose tolerance test, the determination of the haematocrit (blood-flow behaviour) and haemoglobin (red blood pigment) values, a hepatitis B test and an obstetric examination.
A vaccination against whooping cough (in combination with diphtheria-tetanus or diphtheria-tetanus-polio) is recommended from the 27th week of pregnancy if the mother’s last vaccination against whooping cough was more than two years ago.
This should take place between the 30th and 34th weeks of the pregnancy. During the scan, the longitudinal and transverse diameter of the baby’s head, the abdominal circumference and the position of the baby in the mother’s abdomen are examined, and the volume of the amniotic fluid is checked. This is not a prerequisite for receiving the childcare allowance. The scan is completely painless and usually only takes a few minutes.
This must take place between the 30th and 34th weeks of the pregnancy. It is an obstetric examination that includes an examination of the cervix and the breasts, as well as a general medical check-up. Provision is made for an ultrasound scan between the 30th and 34th weeks of the pregnancy, but this is not mandatory.
This final examination must take place between the 35th and 38th weeks of the pregnancy. It is an obstetric examination that includes an examination of the cervix and the breasts, as well as a general medical check-up. You must absolutely take the parent-child passport (Eltern-Kind-Pass) with you to the birth.
Work formalities
You must inform your employer of your pregnancy and your due date as soon as you become aware of these. If your employer requests a medical certificate, you must provide one. If a change in the due date is determined during a check-up, you should inform your employer of this.
Recommended timeframe: as soon as possible after you become aware of the pregnancy
You must inform your employer of the start date of your maternity leave during the fourth week before it begins.
Employees are not allowed to work for a certain period of time before and after giving birth. This period is commonly referred to as maternity leave (Mutterschutz), and is generally eight weeks either side of the birth. If necessary for medical reasons, your doctor may indicate early maternity leave (vorzeitiger Mutterschutz). In the case of premature birth, multiple births and caesarean sections, the maternity leave is extended to 12 weeks after the birth.
Expectant mothers are not allowed to work from the eighth week before giving birth. They are on maternity leave. During this period, the maternity allowance will compensate you for your loss of income. The maternity allowance is generally paid eight weeks before the due date, on the day of the birth, and eight weeks after the birth. To apply, contact your health insurance provider.
Female self-employed people and farmers must report their pregnancy to the SVS (Social Insurance Institution for the Self-Employed) no later than the beginning of the third month before the due date. A medical certificate showing the due date must be attached to this communication.
Recommended timeframe: as soon as possible after you become aware of the pregnancy
For tradeswomen, newly self-employed women and farmers, relief is generally available for eight weeks before the birth, the day of the birth and eight weeks after the birth. This means that a substitute takes over any work outside the household that cannot be postponed. The business can continue to operate.
Self-employed women who are expecting a child can put their business on hold. This option is available to self-employed women whose business is based exclusively on their own labour, such as web designers.
Tasks after the birth
These tasks should be completed in good time before the mother gives birth. The tasks are listed in the order corresponding to the typical course of a pregnancy.
In most cases, the hospital reports the birth automatically. For home births, the doctor or midwife completes the form for reporting the birth. Reporting the birth is not the same as issuing the birth certificate.
Once the birth has been reported, please use the 'first issue of certificates' online service to apply for the birth certificate.
Recommended timeframe: within four weeks after the birth
Once the birth has been reported, please use the 'first issue of certificates' online service to register your child’s place of residence.
Recommended timeframe: within four weeks after the birth
Once the birth has been reported, please use the 'first issue of certificates' online service to choose the child’s first name.
Recommended timeframe: within four weeks after the birth
Once the birth has been reported, please use the 'first issue of certificates' online service to choose the child’s surname.
Recommended timeframe: within four weeks after the birth
Once the birth has been reported, please use the 'first issue of certificates' online service to apply for proof of citizenship.
Recommended timeframe: within four weeks after the birth
Two alternatives are possible: the 'childcare allowance account' or the 'income-dependent childcare allowance'. You can apply to the relevant health insurance fund for your chosen option, either online or with a printed form, at any time after the birth. The prerequisites for receiving the allowance include evidence of the parent-child passport (Eltern-Kind-Pass) examinations.
Once the birth has been reported, please use the 'first issue of certificates' online service. This will also initiate the automatic payment of the family allowance.
The Family Bonus Plus is a tax credit. It directly reduces the tax burden by up to EUR 2 000 per child per year. The Family Bonus Plus will be paid for as long as the parents receive the family allowance for the child. There are two ways to apply for the Family Bonus Plus: during the calendar year through your employer, or after the end of the calendar year in the course of your employee assessment or through your income tax return.
This should take place in the first week of the child’s life. The newborn’s hip joint is examined so that hip-joint disorders can be detected and treated early. This is not a prerequisite for receiving the childcare allowance. The scan is completely painless and usually only takes a few minutes.
Recommended timeframe: as soon as possible after you become aware of the pregnancy
This must take place in the first week of the child’s life. Among other things, the body weight and length, the heart and respiratory tract, the sensory organs, the oral cavity and throat, and the skin and navel are examined. The reflexes are tested, blood is taken from the heel, and, if technically possible, a hearing screening is carried out. Provision is made for a hip ultrasound in the first week of the child’s life, but this is not mandatory.
Recommended timeframe: immediately after you become aware of the pregnancy
This must take place when the child is between three and six weeks old. It includes a measurement of the weight and length of the child’s body and a general physical examination. The child is checked for possible coordination and posture disorders, and their head control is tested. Provision is made for a hip ultrasound when the child is between five and seven weeks old, but this is not mandatory.
This should take place when the child is between five and seven weeks old. The child’s hip joint is examined so that hip-joint disorders can be detected and treated early. This is not a prerequisite for receiving the childcare allowance. The scan is completely painless and usually only takes a few minutes.
The rotavirus vaccine is an oral vaccine against illnesses involving severe diarrhoea with vomiting. It is administered from the age of six weeks in two or three doses, with an interval of at least four weeks between them. The last dose must be given no later than the age of 24 weeks in the case of two doses, or 32 weeks in the case of three doses. The rotavirus vaccine is included in the free child vaccination programme.
The pneumococcal vaccine is administered by injection in three doses. Pneumococci are bacteria that cause, among other things, pneumonia, septicaemia and meningitis. The second of the three doses will be given two months after the child’s first dose (at the age of four months). The pneumococcal vaccine is included in the free child vaccination programme.
This is a six-in-one vaccine that is administered by injection in three doses. It provides immunisation against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, invasive Haemophilus influenzae type B and hepatitis B. The first of the three doses should be given immediately after the child turns two months old. The six-in-one vaccine is included in the free child vaccination programme.
From the age of two months, vaccination against meningitis B is recommended as protection against septicaemia and meningitis. The vaccination schedule is age-dependent and consists of two to three doses and a booster. The vaccine is not included in the free child vaccination programme.
This must take place between the ages of two and four months. It includes a measurement of the weight and length of the child’s body and a general physical examination. The child’s motor skills, hearing and vision are tested, and their reflexes and organs are examined in detail.
The pneumococcal vaccine is administered by injection in three doses. Pneumococci are bacteria that cause, among other things, pneumonia, septicaemia and meningitis. The second of the three doses will be given two months after the child’s first dose (at the age of four months). The pneumococcal vaccine is included in the free child vaccination programme.
This is a six-in-one vaccine that is administered by injection in three doses. It provides immunisation against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, invasive Haemophilus influenzae type B and hepatitis B. The third and final dose will be administered at the age of 11 months, 6 months after the second dose. The six-in-one vaccine is included in the free child vaccination programme. Children aged 6 to 9 are given a booster vaccine in the form of a four-in-one vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio. In addition, a booster vaccine against hepatitis B is recommended between the ages of 7 and 15. The two booster vaccines mentioned above are included in the free child vaccination programme.
This is a six-in-one vaccine that is administered by injection in three doses. It provides immunisation against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, invasive Haemophilus influenzae type B and hepatitis B. The second of the three doses will be given two months after the child’s first dose (at the age of four months). The six-in-one vaccine is included in the free child vaccination programme.
The oral rotavirus vaccine is administered in two or three doses. There must be an interval of at least four weeks between the first and second doses. If three doses are given, the third dose is given no earlier than four weeks after the second dose and no later than at the age of 32 weeks. The rotavirus vaccine is included in the free child vaccination programme.
This is a three-in-one vaccine that is administered by injection in two doses. It is recommended that the doses be administered from the age of nine months, or even earlier in the exceptional case of an outbreak of measles. If the first dose is given before the child turns one year old, the second dose should be given three months later. If the first dose is given after the child turns one year old, the second dose should be given as soon as possible after an interval of four weeks. The vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella provides long-lasting protection once the child has received two doses. The vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella is included in the free child vaccination programme.
This must take place between the ages of six and eight months. It includes a measurement of the weight and length of the child’s body and the circumference of their head, an examination of their heart and lungs, and a general physical examination. The focus is an ear, nose and throat examination, usually conducted by a paediatrician.
The pneumococcal vaccine is administered by injection in three doses. Pneumococci are bacteria that cause, among other things, pneumonia, septicaemia and meningitis. The third and final dose will be administered at the age of 11 months, 6 months after the second dose. The pneumococcal vaccine is included in the free child vaccination programme.
This is a six-in-one vaccine that is administered by injection in three doses. It provides immunisation against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, invasive Haemophilus influenzae type B and hepatitis B. The third and final dose will be administered at the age of 11 months, 6 months after the second dose. The six-in-one vaccine is included in the free child vaccination programme. Children aged 6 to 9 are given a booster vaccine in the form of a four-in-one vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio. In addition, a booster vaccine against hepatitis B is recommended between the ages of 7 and 15. The two booster vaccines mentioned above are included in the free child vaccination programme.
This must take place between the ages of 9 and 13 months. It includes a measurement of the weight and length of the child’s body, a general physical examination, and an examination of the child’s senses and speech. The focus is an eye test, usually conducted by the paediatrician.
This is a three-in-one vaccine that is administered by injection in two doses. The second dose is given three months after the first dose. The vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella provides long-lasting protection once the child has received two doses. If a dose of the vaccine has been missed, a catch-up is recommended at any time, even in adulthood. The vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella is included in the free child vaccination programme.
A vaccination against chickenpox is recommended when the child is one year old. This consists of two doses with an interval of at least six months between them, and should be completed before the child starts attending a shared facility (kindergarten, etc.). The vaccine is not included in the free child vaccination programme.
A vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended when the child is one year old. This consists of two doses with an interval of at least six months between them, and should be completed before the child starts attending a shared facility (kindergarten, etc.). The vaccine is not included in the free child vaccination programme.
Every child needs their own passport to travel abroad, although an ID card is sufficient for journeys within the EU. Regardless of your place of residence, you can apply to any district authority or municipal authority in Austria, or to the municipal district offices in Vienna. A child’s first passport is issued free of charge until their second birthday.
This should take place between the ages of 21 and 25 months, around the time of the child’s second birthday. It includes an assessment of the child’s age-appropriate development, including body weight, body length and head circumference, and an examination of any malformations of the spine, pelvic misalignment and malpositions of the legs and feet. There is also a comprehensive eye test, conducted by an ophthalmologist.
This should take place between the ages of 33 and 39 months, around the time of the child’s third birthday. It includes an assessment of the child’s age-appropriate development, as well as a medical assessment of how agile and dexterous the child is and whether their language development is appropriate for their age.
Nurseries (Kinderkrippen) are for children up to three years of age. From the age of three, children can go to kindergarten. You should register for this as early as possible, and the process varies depending on the municipality and the childcare facility. Half-day kindergarten attendance is compulsory and free of charge in the last year before the child starts school.
This should take place between the ages of 45 and 49 months, around the time of the child’s fourth birthday. It includes an assessment of the child’s age-appropriate development, as well as a medical assessment of how agile and dexterous the child is and whether their language development is appropriate for their age.
This should take place between the ages of 57 and 61 months, around the time of the child’s fifth birthday. It includes an assessment of the child’s age-appropriate development, as well as a medical assessment of how agile and dexterous the child is and whether their language development is appropriate for their age.
Work formalities
Parents are entitled to parental leave until the day before their child’s second birthday. If the mother takes her parental leave first, she must notify her employer no later than the last day of her maternity leave, specifying the duration of her parental leave. If the father takes his parental leave first, he must inform his employer no later than eight weeks after the birth, specifying the duration of his parental leave. The parental leave must last at least two months.
Parental part-time work is a reduction of the previous working hours following the birth of a child. The prerequisite for this is that the child lives in the same household or that the parent in question has parental responsibility. The parent must notify their employer in writing of their desire for part-time employment.
Unmarried parents
If the parents are not married to each other, the mother generally has sole parental responsibility for the child after their birth. If the parents want shared parental responsibility, they can determine this at the registry office or settle it in court. Parental responsibility includes the care and upbringing of the child, act as their legal representative and managing their property.
Responsible for the content: oesterreich.gv.at Editorial Staff