A New Adventure Begins: Our Birth Tourism Experience In Chile

As subscribers to our newsletter and listeners of the Expat Money Show already know, we recently welcomed a new member to our family: a brand-new baby boy. Not only are we thrilled to welcome our third child into our life, but we were also able to help him start life off with a leg up on his expat journey as we decided to give birth in Chile. He was born in good health and with a Chilean passport in hand (well, my hands for now…)

In today’s article, I’ll detail why my wife and I chose Chile for birth tourism, our experience with the Chilean medical system, and my overall view of the country. 

With a Chilean passport, you can enjoy visa-free access to over 170 countries, making international travel easy for cultural experiences, business ventures, or personal development

WHY WE CHOSE CHILE FOR BIRTH TOURISM

We chose Chile for birth tourism for several reasons. Firstly, the passport is the strongest in Latin America, with visa-free access to more than 170 countries, including the United States and Canada. This makes it an excellent travel document, providing our child with significant mobility.

Secondly, we have a Private Client and friend who was also having their third child in Chile, and we thought it would be fun if both of our kids started off life together with Chilean passports. It was great to know someone else going through the process simultaneously - which is not very common when it comes to birth tourism experiences! 

THE BENEFITS OF CHILEAN CITIZENSHIP

Acquiring Chilean citizenship comes with many perks across legal, social, and economic. Here's a breakdown:

VISA-FREE TRAVEL 

With a Chilean passport, you can travel visa-free to more than 170 countries, including the USA, Canada, the UK, the EU and Schengen Area, Singapore, Hong Kong, Mexico, and Argentina. This makes international travel easier for cultural experiences, business, or personal growth. Chile’s strong diplomatic relationships boost this benefit.

OVERSEAS PROTECTION AND ASSISTANCE 

Thanks to services provided by Chilean embassies and consulates, Chilean citizens can count on the government for protection and assistance abroad.

UNRESTRICTED ENTRY AND EXIT

Chilean citizens enjoy the freedom to enter and leave Chile without restrictions, which adds convenience and flexibility for international travel and living arrangements.

ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION 

Chilean citizens have easier access to public universities and educational institutions, along with various scholarships and financial aid. In 2023, over 693,000 undergraduates were enrolled in Chilean universities, and around 419,000 students attended professional institutes, making higher education widely accessible.

PROPERTY OWNERSHIP 

Citizens face fewer restrictions on owning property, including agricultural land and real estate. This freedom is reflected in a robust and stable real estate market, contributing to economic growth and personal financial security.

INHERITANCE AND SUCCESSION RIGHTS 

Chilean citizens have full inheritance rights and can pass their citizenship to their children. These rights help preserve wealth and ensure financial stability for future generations, showing Chile's commitment to its citizens' long-term security.

DUAL CITIZENSHIP 

Chile allows dual citizenship, letting you retain your original nationality while enjoying Chilean citizenship benefits. This flexibility facilitates both countries' seamless travel, work, and residence, promoting cultural exchange and international cooperation.

CITIZENSHIP FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY 

Chilean citizenship laws, though not automatically, extend benefits to immediate family members, including spouses, children, and parents. This family-friendly approach promotes social cohesion, encouraging families to build their lives in Chile together. So, my wife and I now also have a path to Chilean citizenship, should we choose to pursue it someday.

TAX BENEFITS 

Chilean citizens with dual citizenship benefit from a favourable tax system due to Chile's three-year tax holiday, double taxation treaties, and the absence of wealth and estate taxes. This setup allows for tax optimization, reducing overall tax burdens.

Understanding these benefits shows how Chilean citizenship offers comprehensive advantages, enriching various aspects of life and opening numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Related content: Top Countries For Birth Tourism

The hospital facilities were impressive. We spent three days in the hospital while my wife recovered. The food was good, and we had a room with an incredible view of the mountains. Most importantly, it was a comfortable environment for recovery and bonding with our baby

CUTTING IT CLOSE 

My wife arrived in Santiago just a week before the baby was born. We had a special doctor's letter to give her permission to fly, but she wasn’t even asked about it at the airport. Immigration went smoothly, and she got settled in while she waited for me to join her there following our company retreat in Panama. 

After the retreat, I flew over to Santiago with my daughter. We landed in the morning and had a doctor's appointment that very same day to check on the baby. The obstetrician said everything looked good, and by 5 p.m., we were meeting with the midwife, who said the baby should arrive in about five days.

You can probably guess how that prediction held up…

Later that night, it became clear that our third child was on his way, regardless of what our midwife had foreseen. We headed to the hospital, and by the time we arrived, there was a doctor available who agreed to deliver the baby. We moved quickly from the examination room to the delivery room, and in just a couple of minutes, our baby was here. 

Related content: Everything You Need To Know About Birth Tourism To Get You Started

THE HOSPITAL EXPERIENCE IN SANTIAGO

The hospital staff in Santiago was fantastic, and we had a great experience. We spent three days at the hospital while my wife recovered, and the food was surprisingly good. We had a private room with amazing mountain views, making the whole experience tranquil and peaceful. The room was spacious and well-equipped, providing a comfortable environment for recovery and bonding with our newborn.

While exploring Santiago, we discovered a large and vibrant city with many outdoor activities, especially for families with children. Our daughter loved the interactive city KidZania, where she could explore various professions through role-playing

DOCUMENTATION PROCESS 

Securing a Chilean passport for my son, who was born in Chile, was made even more efficient by digital services. The process of obtaining his birth certificate and passport was straightforward. We partnered with an excellent service provider who guided us every step of the way. Despite a minor spelling error in our child's name, it was promptly corrected the next day. We completed the passport application after receiving multiple copies of the birth certificate. Within a week, we had his passport and national ID card in hand. This starkly contrasted our previous birth tourism experience in Brazil, which involved a lot more hassle from the bureaucratic side. 

Digital apostilles and birth certificates played an important role in simplifying the bureaucratic procedures we inevitably have to deal with. This not only expedited the process -, but also ensured accuracy and reliability in the documentation required for the passport application. Utilizing these digital services streamlined everything, making the entire experience notably faster and more efficient than we had ever experienced before. 

EXPLORING SANTIAGO

During our stay, we had time to explore Santiago – a massive and vibrant city. There were tons of outdoor activities available, especially for families with children, with parks, gyms, running paths, and bicycle paths everywhere. We took advantage of the beautiful weather and historical sites. We even visited KidZania, which our daughter loved. KidZania is an interactive city where children can explore various professions through role-playing. It was a hit with our daughter, who loved pretending to be a firefighter, a pilot, and even a TV anchor.

The city's historical sites and museums offered a rich cultural experience. We visited the Plaza de Armas, the heart of Santiago, which is surrounded by beautiful colonial buildings. The Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Historical Museum were highlights. We also took a cable car ride up San Cristobal Hill for stunning views of the city and the Andes mountains.

Santiago seemed a bit more expensive than Panama City to me, although the numbers say the overall cost of living is lower than Panama City. The public transportation system, including the Metro, was efficient and affordable. However, Uber often proved unreliable, which was frustrating. After trying to take Ubers to an office center for a day of meetings, it took me nearly two hours between cancelled Ubers and traffic, and I barely made it in time for my first client call. I wouldn’t recommend planning your stay around Uber rides if you plan to visit Santiago.

Chile is a livable city with friendly, educated people, though English proficiency is lower than many expats will come to expect from countries like Panama and Mexico. Even though I speak a little Spanish, so much of my daily communication in Panama is in English, so I’m certainly not as proficient as I could be. This occasionally made communication challenging (and reminded us to keep working on our Spanish).

The beef was fantastic, and we enjoyed a ton of nice restaurants. Chilean cuisine is diverse and delicious, with fresh seafood, empanadas, and traditional dishes like pastel de choclo. We particularly enjoyed dining at local steakhouses and trying the famed Chilean wine.

Chile may not be our first choice for permanent residency due to high taxes and lengthy requirements, but it offers numerous benefits for birth tourism, such as strong protection abroad and visa-free travel

FINAL THOUGHTS ON BIRTH TOURISM IN CHILE

While Chile might not be our first choice for permanent residency due to high taxes and lengthy residency requirements, it is an excellent option for birth tourism. The initial three-year tax holiday, with the possibility of extending it for another three years, is particularly attractive. Chile offers numerous benefits for birth tourism, such as visa-free travel, robust overseas protection, and unrestricted entry and exit. 

Chilean citizenship provides access to quality healthcare and education, excellent employment opportunities, favourable property ownership laws, a supportive business environment, full inheritance rights, and the allowance for dual citizenship. Additionally, the family-friendly citizenship laws ensure comprehensive support and security. These factors, along with top-notch healthcare facilities and excellent support from our service provider, made Chile the perfect place to welcome our third child. For more on our adventures and the latest expat news, subscribe to our newsletter.