Childbirth free of charge for all Faroese citizens

Faroese citizens who study abroad should not have to pay for childbirth procedures in Faroese hospitals.

A new directive seeks to amend the existing rule from 2009 which entitles Faroese citizens studying abroad to give birth in Faroese hospitals free of charge.

With the new directive, this will also apply when only one of the parents is a student.

Emergency situation

This comes in the wake of a case last October in which Niels Rødgaard, who studies in Denmark, was handed a DKK 26,000 bill when his girlfriend, Rosa Heinesen, who lives with Niels in Denmark but is not a student, gave birth in the Faroes.

The couple rushed to the Faroes while Rosa was heavily pregnant as they wanted to spend time with Niels’ mother, who was dying from cancer.

Shortly after, Rosa gave birth at a Faroese hospital. The couple say they are delighted to hear that they will not be required to pay the bill after all.

Translated by prosa.fo