(edit title) Going back to UK to have a baby How does it affect benefits here? Options

[t_annah]

My wife and I have been in Sweden now since october 2011 after I was offered a job here. We are now expecting our first baby in august and have always been set on having her out here, but are now thinking about returning to England for the birth so we have family around us.
There were a few things we were unsure on with this, and was hoping someone might be able to help.

First of all, if we do have the child back in the UK, does it affect any benefits we are entitled to here? We aren't claiming anything at the moment, but I am thinking more specifically of the paternity time off I would receive (my wife isnt working). My plan is to use holiday to join my wife before the baby comes, and then around 1 month of the paternity leave from the government after she is born.

When we arrived in Sweden, we registered for migration here and were given the right to reside in Sweden (as we are planning on living here permanently), but I was unsure if being out of Sweden for a large period of time (2-3 months for my wife) will affect this? I could fly back every so often in that period, but my wife probably wont be able to.

Any help would be great, thanks.

[JulieLou40]

I can understand you wanting to be around family for the birth...but did you know that Sweden is way ahead of the UK, as one of the safest countries in the world to give birth in?

I am sure your parents and in-laws will be more than happy to jump on a plane when the time comes. Personally, I would stay here.

[byke]

For legality reasons I would still opt for a uk birth.

[Bender B Rodriquez]

If you are residents in Sweden it should not matter where the baby is born, as long as you are only in the UK temporarily (3 months is not enough to lose your residency status). However, you must of course notify Swedish authorities of the birth.

There are some practical aspects though:
1. You have to check with the NHS if it is possible to give birth even though you are Swedish and not UK residents. From EU regulations it is often the country of residence that pays, and they can be reluctant to pay for planned procedures abroad. If the NHS require your wife to become resident it will jeopardize her Swedish residency.

2. Many airlines require written confirmation from a midwife to let your wife on a plane during the last two months of pregnancy.

[t_annah]

Yes we have been going to the midwife regularly and have seen / read how great the care here is. But I think having family around, especially early on will be great for us. Like I say, we havent decided yet if we will stay here or return to the uk, but we know one of the big advantages to staying would be the health care.

Which legality reasons would these be byke? I know by having her in the UK she is a British Citizen and not a British National; could that cause issues later then?

[t_annah]

If you are residents in Sweden it should not matter where the baby is born, as long as you are only in the UK temporarily. However, you must of course notify Swedish authorities of the birth.

Thanks, thats what I had thought / hoped

[skogsbo]

As far as benefits go, it makes no difference, you can still claim back your paternity / maternity when you return to Sweden.

What you need to consider is;
-Flying as mentioned, 'most' airlines won't let her fly close to the birth date. Then it will take a bit of settling time before you can flying back to Sweden. We lived in the UK when ours were born away, but waited until they were 8weeks old and everyone was fully fit again, before flying.
-Staying in the UK, will you have your own place, with all your own stuff. I would suggest that having all your own stuff around you, will make establishing a routine much easier, especially if things are not 100% at the beginning or your are being seriously sleep deprived.
- Family and friends are great, but in general they will wear you out, more than reduce the work load, than if you live at home. They are best served in short bursts of a few hours, leaving you to rest and focus on your new family. That is point, this is your new family, don't put the rest of them first, put yourselves.
-What if things don't go to plan, how long can you both stay in the UK, accommodation or work issues? Will you still be staying in the UK even if it runs to 6mths and paying for a place in Sweden.

Personally, I would stay here, everyone else has the means to visit? I think you are making work for yourselves.

[Yorkshireman]

I know by having her in the UK she is a British Citizen and not a British National; could that cause issues later then?

If your child is born in the UK or Sweden, if You are both British citizens, then Your child is a British citizen not a British National. Just remember to register

[Puffin]

Are you planning to go NHS or private? You should check out whether you are eligible for free maternity in the UK as you are no longer a UK resident - I read that the UK was clamping down on UK residents living abroad who returned to the UK just for medical treatment - so it would be worth checking up

Personally I would fly relatives out rather than risk an NHS birth

[Yorkshireman]

Good point Puffin, they did change the rule. If You move from the UK even for work within the EU, You are no longer entitled to NHS care under the same rules as if resident in UK, however it may be that the UK would even have to pay for certain care in Sweden for a period!

EHIC card covers for immediate medical care, Child Birth is considered immediate, but you can land in sticky water if it is planned to be a birth in another country!

If You are registered with Försäkringskassan, then You probably need to get the EHIC card from them, you can order it online, and it takes just a few days to arrive, just in case you find yourself in the UK when the baby is popping out

[byke]

Which legality reasons would these be byke? I know by having her in the UK she is a British Citizen and not a British National; could that cause issues later then?

I am not sure on both your nationally statuses, however for things such as certain schools in Stockholm to costs of registering the birth, passports , your marriage status etc means their are multiple issues you should consider. Since the birth rules have changed a few times in the past few years I would contact the british embassy for advice. Just make sure the person you speak to isn't a swede. I have called the british embassy in Stockholm in the past and was only able to speak to a Swede? Who had very little knowledge on British laws and registrations etc. If I had wanted to speak to an unqualified Swedish muppet ... I would have called the tax office. How the embassy has outsourced such important jobs to non nationals is beyond me. So be carefull.

[William Sachsen-Coburg-Go...]

Which legality reasons would these be byke? I know by having her in the UK she is a British Citizen and not a British National; could that cause issues later then?

If your child is born in the UK they will be a British Citizen by birth. If your child is born in Sweden they will be a British Citizen by descent. This will make no legal difference to your child. It will however make a difference to your future grandchildren. Citizenship by birth can be passed on to the next generation, citizenshp by descent can't.

[byke]

Some international schools in Stockholm specifically ask where your child was born in regards to requirements for acceptance.

[byke]

Basically put, there are many small things that a Swedish birth can effect.
So check them out.

[Gamla Hälsingebock]

I am confused here...why should Sweden give benefits to a British baby?

Or people that left Sweden so as to have the baby born elsewhere.

And you are not Swedes!

Why?

Please advise.