Short Answer
Public health insurance covers the full cost of standard prenatal care and hospital births for all insured residents.
Financial responsibility is limited to non-medical elective extras, such as upgraded hospital accommodations or supplemental screening tests.
What Most Expats Don't Realize
You assumed the hospital would provide a private room for you and your partner as a standard service. You spent three nights in a "Familienzimmer" (family room) and received an invoice for €600 shortly after being discharged. You lost several hundred euros from your savings because you didn't realize that while the birth is free, the "hotel" aspect of a private family room is an out-of-pocket luxury.
What To Do
- Download your GKV provider’s app to check the balance of your "Schwangerschaftsbudget" (pregnancy budget) for supplemental tests.
- Ask the hospital during your "Anmeldung" (registration) for a clear price list of room upgrades.
- "Wie viel kostet ein Familienzimmer pro Nacht?" (How much does a family room cost per night?) — Ask this before you agree to the room assignment.
The Truth
Germany provides world-class medical birth care for free. The system only starts charging you the moment your requests move from "medical necessity" to "personal comfort."