Having Your Child In Armenia

Official Vacation Time 

For the working mother (including self-employed) 140 days for regular labour, with 70 days before the expected birth date and 70 days afterwards. 155 days for complicated labour, with 70 days before expected birth date and 85 days afterwards. 180 days for multiple child deliveries (twins+), with 70 days before the expected birth date and 110 days afterwards. For parents who have adopted a child will be granted leave until he/she is 70 days old. 

Whether you give birth prematurely or no, the allotted vacation time is provided. In the case of miscarriage from the 154th day on, still birth or sudden death of the infant, the mother receives 70 days of vacation time to recuperate. Should you require an abortion before this period as recommended by your doctor, you will not get vacation time but instead will receive a small stipend.

According to the law, a woman can take unpaid maternity leave up to three years after the birth of her child, keeping her position in the workplace.

Paternity leave also exists in Armenia, where if he is the one taking care of the child, he may take unpaid paternity leave for up to 3 years, just as a mother can, while he is also entitled to an unpaid 2 month leave during the pregnancy, delivery, and/or until the child’s first birthday.

No pregnant woman can be terminated from employment from the day she presents papers that she is pregnant to a month after the 140 day maternity leave period. She cannot be terminated during the year a mother takes to care for her child. Furthermore, upon returning to work, a mother can take frequent breaks and may reduce daily hours of work in order to breastfeed her child, while the hours are still counted and salary paid without any cuts due to this. This allowance is in place until the child reaches 1.5 years, keeping both the baby and the mother in a secure environment.

Note: Annual leave, while normally requiring 6 months of uninterrupted work, can be taken by pregnant women and employees raising a child under the age of 14. Fathers can also receive their full month of annual leave during the pregnancy and/or maternity leave of their wives, irrespective of when they were accepted to the workplace.

Paperwork for Vacation Time

You will receive a single document from your doctor at the start of your vacation time that will be given to your company’s accountant. A second document will be provided for the additional 15 or 40 days after birth, with the same serial number to add to the first, extending your leave.

Maternity Leave Payments and Government Funding

By law, you are entitled to 100% of your salary over the 140, 155 or 180 days that you are on maternity leave. This you will receive from your place of work. Furthermore, according to the March 6, 2014 government decision on the matter, the government pays each family a one-time sum per child, as follows:

-First child: 50,000 AMD
-Second child: 50,000 AMD
-Third child: 1,000,000 AMD – 500,000 AMD in cash + 500,000 in a special account for the child
-Fourth child: 1,000,000 AMD – 500,000 AMD in cash + 500,000 in a special account for the child
-Fifth child and onwards: 1,500,000 AMD – 1,000,000 AMD in cash + 500,000 in a special account for the child

In the case of twins or more children born simultaneously, all children receive the highest amount. For example, if you have 1 child and then have twins, instead of one receiving 50,000 AMD and the other 1,000,000 AMD, you will instead receive 1,000,000 AMD for both. If you have two children and have triplets next, you will receive 1,500,000 for each. When the third child and any subsequent children are born, you will sign a Ընտանեկան դրամագլխի սպասարկման պայմանաքիր (family assets service contract) and the account will include the money sent in by the government for the birth of the child, interest gained from the process, if applicable, money added in through means the government allows.

The money placed in the special account can be accessed before the child is 18 only in certain circumstances, including:

-To pay mortgage fees on the house
-To pay school fees for child or family members
-To pay off villager subsidized loans
-To buy a home in small villages with less than 1000 population

For personal use, transferring up to 25,000 AMD per month, only after child is over 1 year old. The money that is kept in the account can be used unconditionally by the child once he/she reaches 18 years of age. In the meantime, it is the family members, or caregivers who have access only for the reasons stated above. Should one be caught utilizing the money for other means, the government reserves the right to reclaim the amount provided.

Not all banks in Armenia can be used for the receipt of the one-time stipend. Those officially on the list include:
-Converse Bank
-ArmBusinessBank
-ArmEconomBank
-Unibank
-VTB Armenia Bank

Furthermore, the maternity leave pay would have to be to an account you have open at any of these banks:
-Converse Bank
-ArmBusinessBank
-ArmEconomBank
-Unibank
-VTB Armenia Bank

You will be eligible to receive 18,000 AMD per month from the government over a two year period for the care of your child, as well.

The amount can be transferred to any of these banks:
-Converse Bank
-ArmBusinessBank
-ArmEconomBank
-VTB Armenia Bank
-Artsakh Bank
-Ararat Bank
-HayPost (given in cash)

The Application Process

For those with citizenship, you will need to present yourself at the local territorial office of the Social Security State Service of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (contact Information below) with the following documents:

-Application (filled out at the office)
-ID with social security number
-Child’s birth certificate with social security number

If the amount received is for the third child or any subsequent children, additional documents to be presented include:

-Identification papers for the rest of the children (unless they are incarcerated, serving in the army, getting an army-based education or studying abroad)
-Proof of parentage (birth certificate, parent’s identification papers, marriage certificate, court rulings, fatherhood acceptance documents, and/or any other papers that might be necessary given your circumstances)
-Proof of service for any children in the army from the commissariat
-Proof of prison sentence if any other children are in that situation
-Proof of study if another child is receiving army-based education
-Proof of study if any child is outside the country receiving education
-Bank document as proof that the special account along with relevant information

The stipends are received for each living child, only if the parents apply within 12 months of the child’s birth. The stipulation is that the parents will not give the child up for adoption, will not refuse parental rights over the child, will not leave the child in an orphanage, etc. Should this be exploited by doing any of the above before or after the 12 months, the government reserves the right to take back its stipend. Once cleared by all presented documents, the amount will be transferred to the special account over the upcoming month. Those with dual citizenship are entitled to everything a local receives.

The Cost of Having Your Baby in Armenia 

Armenia is quite maternity-friendly in most all ways, but even though technically the delivery process of having a baby is free of charge according to law, there are many other costs that accrue over the course of 9 months, and especially in the days following birth. This is generally all related to hospital fees as well, but of course there is so much more that needs to be done. It is imperative to point out that for the first 7 years of a child’s life, all doctor visits and vaccinations are for free. This also includes allergy testing and similar examinations that are a necessity for the child. 

Medication is the only thing left on the parents. Certain necessities like Vitamin D for winter births are also provided by the clinics free of charge. Some hospitals will even give complimentary diapers or creams once the baby is born. 
 

Pre-Birth Costs

When you become pregnant, the first thing you must do is pick a doctor at a hospital that suits your needs. If it is a state hospital, most everything that is a necessity is for free. If you opt for a private clinic, generally the costs of caring for you over a 9 month period, with standard testing and checkups, will cost you about 60,000 AMD. This does not include a Doppler, hospital stays, extra medications (the basics are all included), or extra examinations should you run into problems. For a standard, problem-free delivery though, it is a very affordable option. 

Private hospitals will also afford you more comfortable measures, and the possibility of single-bed hospital rooms without too high a fee. Should you need to stay the night, though, be ready to dish out about 10-20,000 AMD per day there. This includes meals, however. Additional costs can range from 5-10,000 per test, but they are very few to worry about there. Most of the local population spends nothing throughout the whole process and merely gives a little gift of 30-100,000 AMD at the end of the process, depending on abilities and the amount of care the doctor provided them with. 
 

Delivery Costs

Delivery is officially for free in Armenia. However, most hospitals either have an elective or gift system, where you can either pay at the cash register to have your doctor there for a fee that ranges up to 100,000 AMD, or you give a gift at the end that ranges up to that number or even more, depending on the process and your goodwill. Sometimes nurses are given small tips as well. However, some hospitals do not allow for this and you may get someone in trouble if you are not discreet. 

If you opt to stay in a free room, you might have multiple mothers in the same space and no shower in the room. However, a VIP room might cost you upwards of 20,000 AMD a night, but you will be alone and possibly be allowed to bring in a helper for a small fee. It can range from 5,000 to 20,000 to have your mother, husband, or other care provider stay by your side for the duration of those 2-3 days you are there. Sometimes, it is preferable to pay a little more and ensure you have all your bases covered.