Healthcare in Ireland for newcomers: GP, hospital, medical cards

The short answer

• Who: anyone ordinarily resident, living here or planning to for at least a year, whatever their nationality.
• Free: public hospital stays, GP-referred out-patient care, maternity and infant care, and child health services.
• You pay: the GP (usually), €100 at an emergency department without a referral, and prescriptions up to €80 a month per family.
• Free GP care: with a medical card or GP visit card, automatic under 8 and over 70, means-tested otherwise.

Check your costs

Being ordinarily resident

You’re ordinarily resident if you’ve lived in Ireland for at least a year, or intend to. The HSE may ask for proof dated within the last 12 months, such as:

• a rent agreement, a property purchase, or a letter showing it’s your main home;
• a bank or credit union statement;
• a current utility bill, or car or home insurance in your name;
• a letter from a government department, such as a Revenue notice of assessment.

If you’re a non-EU national, your dependants don’t qualify automatically because you do: they also need to show they live here, or intend to, for at least a year.

What you pay

Medical cards and GP visit cards

A medical card covers GP visits, public hospital care, most prescriptions and some dental, eye and ear services. It’s means-tested: your weekly income, savings and property (not your home) are assessed.

A GP visit card covers GP visits only. You get one without a means test if you’re under 8, over 70, or on Carer’s Benefit or Carer’s Allowance. Otherwise, your weekly net income is compared with a limit:

Allowable costs, such as rent, childcare and travel to work, raise your limit. Apply online for either card.

Students, visitors, EU and UK citizens

• Non-EU students: a course of at least one academic year generally counts as ordinarily resident. But ISD’s Stamp 2 conditions exclude publicly funded services, such as public hospitals, unless you’re entitled another way. Keep your private medical insurance.
• Stamp 0, for example if you’ve retired to Ireland: ISD’s conditions exclude publicly funded services, such as a public hospital. You need private medical insurance.
• Non-EU visitors: no free or subsidised care. Take out travel insurance.
• EU visitors: necessary public treatment is free with a European Health Insurance Card.
• UK visitors: necessary care under the Common Travel Area, with proof of UK residence.
• Asylum applicants in State accommodation and people on temporary protection get a medical card.

Common mix-ups

Common questions

Sources