I have lived in Spain for almost 3 years, worked and paid Social Security for 18 months and my first baby is due in October.  I am now self-employed and more than a little confused about how to go about claiming any maternity benefits i am entitled to.

I have been advised to ‘sign myself off’ approximately 1 month before i am due to give birth and obtain a ‘Parte de Baja Medica’ from my doctor which i must then present to someone else and then, once i have given birth, within 15 days i have to produce some paperwork that the hospital will issue me with to say i have indeed given birth.

It is all very confusing, can anyone put me in touch with someone in the malage region who will be able to advise me further as i was under the initial impression that there is a lot of paperwork to complete.