The program "Vse Po Delu" on October 17, 2025, compared the cost of childbirth in Belarus and Europe:
"As a rule, women first hear the word 'mama' addressed to them in the maternity ward. For staying there, women giving birth in Belarus don't have to pay anything. Unless, of course, they choose private rooms or, for example, partner births. For comparison: in European countries, the birth of a child costs parents an average of 10,000 to 12,000 euros."
Journalists from the WTF project found this claim to be false. Citizens or residents of EU countries who have basic statutory health insurance or pay social security contributions do not pay for childbirth. The unemployed can be included in their family members' insurance. In some countries, copayments are required only for certain services not included in the basic package: for example, for additional ultrasounds or cesarean sections at the woman's request, without medical indications for the procedure.
Even in less wealthy countries like Romania or Bulgaria, childbirth is free for all women, including those without insurance.
In Italy and Spain, pregnant and postpartum foreign women are even entitled to free prenatal and postnatal care. Italy even offers them benefits.
In addition, EU citizens who have insurance in their own country can obtain a free European Health Insurance Card and use it to receive emergency medical care in any EU country at no additional cost under the same conditions as citizens of that country. This also applies to childbirth.