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The Irish Healthcare services:
Learn more about the healthcare system in #Ireland
Image courtesy of phasinphoto at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

An Overview of the Irish Healthcare System

There are two tiers of health services in Ireland:

The Irish Public Healthcare system is governed by the Health Service Executive (HSE). It provides health and social services to EU/EEA or Swiss nationals and residents of Ireland. Many public health services are free of charge but in some cases, there may be a fee.

In order to receive publicly funded health services, you do not need to be paying Irish tax or social insurance, but you must be able to satisfy the HSE that you are ‘ordinarily resident in Ireland‘. To establish whether you are ordinarily resident, you must be able to demonstrate that you intend to remain in Ireland for a minimum of one year. As well as this, the HSE may request evidence such as:

  • Proof of property purchase or rental, including evidence that the property in question is the person’s principal residence.
  • Evidence of transfer of funds, bank accounts, pensions etc…
  • A residence permit or visa.
  • A work permit or visa, statements from employers etc.
  • A signed affidavit by the applicant.

If you do not come under one of these categories, then you can still receive healthcare but you will be charged the full cost of the service.

Unfortunately, there can be long waitlists in place for medical treatments. As a result, many people choose to take out private health insurance in order to receive medical treatments more promptly. In some cases where specialised treatment cannot be sourced for patients within Ireland, the HSE pays for the patient to be treated abroad. Alternatively, some people turn to medical treatment abroad in order to receive prompt and cheap treatment.

Tips

  • Establishing you are eligible for Irish health services does not automatically mean that your dependants are also eligible.

Irish Public Health Care Cover

If you are eligible to receive the HSE service, then you are entitled to either full eligibility – medical card holders, or, limited eligibility – non medical card holders.

Irish Medical Card Holders

If you are an Irish resident and low income earner, then you may be entitled to a medical card. Medical card holders receive a range of health services free of charge such as:

  • GP visits
  • Drug and medicine prescriptions (some charges may apply)
  • Hospital services
  • Dental, optical and aural services
  • Maternity and infant care
  • Some community care and personal social services
  • Short-term counselling services.

Find out how to apply for the medical card and what health services are covered. If you are eligible for a medical card, then your dependant spouse or partner and children are also usually covered. If you do not qualify for a medical card due to your income, you may still qualify for a GP visit card.

GP Visit Card

If your income is above the limit for a medical card, you may be able to get a GP visit card because it has an income test with a higher limit. Unless you hold a GP visit card then you will need to pay for your GP visits. Children under the age of 6 and those aged over 70 can get a GP Visit Card without an income test. Learn more about the GP visit card and how to apply.

Non-Medical Card Holders

You are entitled to receive public hospital services, but you may have to pay inpatient and outpatient hospital charges. You will also receive subsidised prescription drugs, free maternity care, free or subsidised community care and personal social services. Unless you hold a GP visit card then you will need to pay for your GP visits.

General Practitioners in Ireland

In Ireland, a general practitioner, or GP, is a doctor who works from a private surgery rather than a hospital. Unless you have a medical emergency, then the GP is usually your first point of contact. If you need to see a specialist, called ‘consultants’, then you require a referral from a GP. In order to find a GP in your local area, use the HSE Service Finder Map.

Patients with a Medical Card

Those who have a medical card need to register with a GP who have registered to see patients under this scheme.

Patients with a GP Visit Card

A GP visit card allows you to visit participating GP’s for free. However, you will still need to pay for prescriptions and hospital charges.

GP Visits for Children Under 6 Years and People over 70 Years

All children under six years of age and people over 70 years of age are entitled to free GP visits.

GP Visits for All Others

If you are not eligible for any of the above entitlements, you are considered a private patient and can register with any GP that offers services to private patients. A GP visit can set you back €45 to €70. You should confirm the charges with your GP when you register as they can vary all over the country. If you have health insurance it may cover GP visits or even subsidise them, so check your level of cover with your health insurer.

Tips

  • When moving to Ireland, remember to get a copy of your medical history as well as any prescriptions to assist you in continuing your health care in Ireland.

Specialist Services in Ireland

To get access to a specialist, known as ‘consultants’, you need to be referred by your GP. They will refer you to the local specialist either in the nearest city or regional hospital. Unless you pay the full private fees or have health insurance then it can take some time sitting on the public health system waitlist before you get to see a specialist.

Emergency Services in Ireland

The Irish Public Healthcare system provides ambulance services to transport the seriously ill to hospitals. Unless you have a medical card, you may be charged for this service, depending on your circumstances.

Ireland’s public and private hospitals have Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments for serious emergencies. Be aware that if you attend a private hospital, you will be charged accordingly.

At Irish public hospitals, visiting EU/EEA and Swiss nationals receive emergency care free of charge. However, if you do not come under one of these categories then you will need to pay for the cost of your treatment. If you are an Irish resident then unless you hold a medical card, there may be some costs for your visit. However, the costs are very reasonable, especially when compared with countries like the USA. Alternatively, you could consider getting private health insurance.

When you arrive at the A&E you will be prioritised on the basis of medical need. Therefore, non-urgent cases may be required to wait for treatment, so you may be better off going to see your GP rather than sitting in an A&E waiting room for hours.

Tips

  • Dial 999 or 112 for an ambulance in an emergency.

Long Term Illnesses

Those who are eligible for the Long Term Illness Scheme can receive free drugs and medicines for their condition, regardless of whether or not they hold a medical card.

Child Healthcare in Ireland

All children under six years of age are entitled to free GP visits. Children also receive free vaccinations including Tuberculosis, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Whooping cough (Pertussis), HiB (Haemophilus influenzae B), Polio, Meningitis C, Measles, Mumps and Rubella. Girls also receive the HPV vaccination at 12 years of age.

Women’s Healthcare in Ireland

Cervical Screening Tests

Ireland provides a free cervical screening test. The program is called CervicalCheck and once you register with the service, they will send you a reminder when your next test is due or you can check this for yourself on their website. This program is available to residents of Ireland and provides tests to women aged 25 to 65.

For more information refer to the CervicalCheck website.

Breast Screening

Ireland provides a free breast cancer screening program to residents of Ireland aged 50 to 69. The program is called BreastCheck and the breast screening involves having a mammogram of your breasts at a BreastCheck clinic or mobile screening unit.

For more information about this program and about how to carry out your own self-check refer to the BreastCheck website.

Abortion

You can have an abortion in the Republic of Ireland if your pregnancy is no more than 12 weeks. 12 weeks of pregnancy means 84 days since the first day of your last period. After 12 weeks, you can only have an abortion in certain circumstances.

For more information refer to the HSE website.

Maternity Care

All women who are eligible to receive Irish public health services receive free maternity care through the Maternity and Infant Care Scheme, regardless of whether they hold a medical card. This service is provided by a GP of your choice and a hospital obstetrician. Only treatment relating to the pregnancy is covered by the scheme. You can see full details of what is covered under the scheme here.

Women in employment are also entitled to maternity leave. Find out more about Ireland’s workplace maternity rights.

Women can give birth either in a hospital or at home and have access to pain relief options such as Epidurals. Breast feeding is encouraged and there is support to assist new mothers with this. Ireland also provides new mothers with free public health nurse home visits and support from the Community Mothers Programme through local GPs.

It is a legal requirement that you officially register the birth within three months. The Register of Births form is usually given to parents in the hospital and it needs to be completed by one of the parents and signed and submitted at the Office of the Registrar. There is no fee for registering a birth but there is a fee to buy a certificate.

The baby is entitled to Irish citizenship if one or both parents:

  • Is Irish
  • Is British or entitled to live in Northern Ireland or the Irish State without restriction on their residency
  • Is a foreign national legally resident in the island of Ireland for 3 out of 4 years immediately prior to your birth
  • Has been granted refugee status in Ireland

Check whether you could be an Irish citizen by birth or descent.

Tips

Learn more about the healthcare system in #Ireland

Sexual Health Services in Ireland

The HSE website’s Sexual Health page outlines a number of resources that are available. In Ireland, you can get sexual health advice and support services and contraception from the following services:

GP’s

Unless you have a medical card or a GP visit card, then visiting your GP for contraception can be expensive. A GP visit can set you back €45 to €70. Consequently, many of the long acting contraceptive options such as the IUD and implants are becoming more popular in Ireland.

Family Planning Clinics

Family Planning Clinics can offer everything from counselling, education, STI testing and contraceptive. These clinics are often cheaper than seeing a private practice GP and also typically have student and unemployed rates. Find a family planning clinic in your area.

Online Services

For a fee, you can get your contraceptive pill prescription online, and even order a STI Test Kit to be sent to your home. However, online doctors do not give you the opportunity for face to face discussion about your personal medical circumstances.

Contraceptive Options in Ireland

All contraceptive devices are available in Ireland, including:

  • The contraceptive pill and mini pill
  • Injectable contraception
  • The coil
  • Intrauterine System (IUS)
  • The implant
  • The patch
  • Vaginal ring
  • Diaphragms/ cap
  • Female and male condoms

Condoms are readily available from supermarkets, convenience stores and pharmacies. Condoms can be quite expensive in Ireland. Many college student services give them out for free or cheap.

How to Obtain the Emergency Contraceptive Pill in Ireland

Also called the morning after pill, there are several types of emergency contraceptive pills available in Ireland.

  • NorLevo or Prevenelle: Available over the counter from pharmacists (no need to see a GP or get a prescription) and can be taken up to three days (72 hours) after unprotected sex.
  • EllaOne: Is only available on prescription from a GP or Family Planning Clinic. It can be taken up to 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected sex.

How to Obtain the Contraceptive Pill in Ireland

Pharmacists cannot dispense the contraceptive pill without a prescription from a registered Irish GP. GP’s can only prescribe six months worth of contraceptive pill at a time.

The brand name on the label of your current contraceptive pill may not be familiar to Irish GP’s, so it helps if you bring along the packaging that states the ingredients and prescribed dosage. Be aware that the type of pill you take may not be available in Ireland, but your GP should be able to work with you to find an alternative that suits your needs.

A cheap way to get a contraceptive pill prescription without having to pay to see a GP is to obtain it from an online Irish pharmacy for around €25. However, this does not give you the opportunity for a face to face discussion with a GP, so may not suit everyone. On the website you will be given a range of contraceptive pills to choose from and then asked to complete an online consultation. Then, after paying the fee, you will be sent a prescription for your contraceptive pill from a registered Irish GP. You then take this prescription to any pharmacy to have it filled.

Online pharmacies that provide contraceptive pill prescriptions:

Learn more about the healthcare system in #Ireland

Medicines and Pharmacies in Ireland

Pharmacies are widely available in Irish towns and cities. Opening hours are usually 9am to 6pm or 8pm, Monday to Saturday. Some are open till late (10pm) during the week and on Sundays. There are no 24/7 pharmacies and if medication is required urgently, it’s best to go to the emergency department of your nearest hospital.

Pharmacists cannot dispense drugs without a prescription from a registered Irish doctor. Before moving to Ireland, get a list of your medications from your doctor. Remember, the brand name on the label of your medications may not be familiar to Irish GP’s and pharmacists, so it helps to bring along the packaging that states the actual ingredients and your prescribed dosage.

Everyday drugs such as paracetamol and ibuprofen are very expensive to purchase in Ireland. Furthermore, due to the high numbers of recorded paracetamol overdose in Ireland it is against the law for shops to sell paracetamol in blister packs of more than 12 (500 mg) tablets in a single transaction, and in pharmacies they cannot sell more than a 24 pack. For doses higher than this, they can only sell half this amount. Drugs containing codeine can only be sold in pharmacies over the counter.

Because of the high cost of medications, many people purchase them online. However, be aware that it is illegal to import prescription drugs and drugs (including supplements) that are banned in Ireland. Consequently they can be seized by customs.

Learn more about the healthcare system in #Ireland

Saving Money on Your Prescriptions in Ireland

There is no Value Added Taxes charged on oral medications in Ireland.

Shop Around

You can save money by shopping around to get the best price. Both the retail price of the medication as well as the pharmacy’s fee to dispense the medicines can vary greatly between pharmacies. To save time and energy, simply phone the pharmacy to check the total price that they charge to fill your prescription.

Buy in Bulk

Buying in bulk is another great way to save money. If there is an option to dispense your prescription in bulk (for example, collecting a 6 month supply instead of collecting it twice as 3 months supply), then this is usually cheaper as you will only have to pay the dispensing fee once.

Drugs Payment Scheme

Without a medical card you will need to pay for your medications as well as the pharmacists dispensing fee. However, under the Drugs Payment Scheme, there is a maximum monthly limit for an individual or family. Anyone who is ordinarily resident in Ireland can apply for this scheme.

Learn more about the Drugs Payment Scheme here and apply for the Drugs Payment Scheme at mydps.ie.

Vitamin and Supplements

Ireland has tight restrictions on the sale of vitamins and supplements (including herbal). Many are either banned outright or banned from being sold over the counter and may only be obtained via a prescription. For more information, go to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland.

Medical Treatment Abroad

Each year thousands of Irish make their way abroad to seek discount medical procedures, from essential surgeries to cosmetic surgery and dentistry. Hungary, Spain, Poland, Czech Republic, Belgium, Turkey, Spain and Thailand are just some of the many countries that Irish turn to, especially those tired of waiting on long waitlists for medical procedures in Ireland. The idea of combining a holiday with medical treatment can be particularly attractive, but you need to be careful and thoroughly do your research before deciding on where to go.

Treatment Abroad Scheme

The Treatment Abroad Scheme covers treatments that are not available in Ireland. If you are a public healthcare patient and require treatment that is not available in Ireland or is not available within the usual time needed to get it, taking account of your medical circumstances, you may be able to use the Treatment Abroad Scheme to get the treatment in another country in the EU, EEA or Switzerland.

Read more about the Treatment Abroad Scheme.

Cross-Border Healthcare Directive

The Cross-Border Healthcare Directive only covers treatments that are available in Ireland. If you are entitled to health services that are publicly funded and available in Ireland, you may opt to access those services in another member state of the EU or EEA under the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive.

Read more about the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive.

35 Responses

  1. Nancy Tehero
    | Reply

    We are U.S. citizens age 68 and 70 looking at moving to Ireland to do some volunteer work for one year. I have need for a physical therapy or an osteopath. Is this possible in Ireland?

    • Colleen
      | Reply

      Hi Nancy Tehero, if you search using Google for Physical Therapy and Osteopaths in Ireland you will find the closest service available wherever you are moving to in Ireland.

  2. Aman Gupta
    | Reply

    Hi,

    I am moving to Ireland from India, I have a work permit too. I am suffering from Haemophilia which comes under Long-Term Illness scheme. Can you please tell me whether I will get free healthcare treatment and medicine under this scheme, or could you guide me to some other places where I could get to now about this.

    Thanks,

  3. Gary thomas
    | Reply

    Sold my house in the UK and will be living in my motorhome in Ireland, travelling around looking at houses to buy. My concern is my medication. My GP in UK will only give me 3 months of pills. As i wont have a permanent address, will i be able to register to see a dr to get a prescription.

  4. Mike Reape
    | Reply

    If I move to Ireland will my current medication be cover by
    The Irish Medical Card
    The Drug scheme
    I take Tacrolimus and a diabetic pill

    I can’t seem to find an answer to this anyplace on the web
    Thank You

  5. Pat
    | Reply

    Hi Colleen,

    All of this is EXTREMELY helpful! Thank you so much! I have a quick question regarding mental health medication. I am an American/Irish Dual Citizen, and my girlfriend and I are planning to get married and move to Ireland next year. I would be sorted since I’m a citizen and will be applying for my passport ASAP, and we will look to get the Stamp 4 for her and, since we plan to stay longer than a year, she would qualify as ordinarily resident.

    She has an ongoing prescription for mental health medication here in the states, and if we’re going to make the move it’s imperative that we’re able to keep that prescription going in Ireland. Would you have any insight into how this process would play out? Would her prescription in the states carry over to Ireland and we’d just need to bring it to a chemist? Would she need to go to a GP and then get referred to a specialist who would then need to give her a prescription? Thanks so much!! I really appreciate any help you could offer.

    • Colleen
      | Reply

      Hi Pat,
      Sorry, as I am not a medical professional or have experience with the kind of medication I can’t answer your question, but someone else might be able to. Something to further consider is whether that medication is available in Ireland. I know that I couldn’t get the particular contraceptive pill I used in Australia, so had to swap to another one.
      You could try ringing the Mental Health Information Line.

    • Susan Keane
      | Reply

      Hi
      I too have to take care of my mental heat. During this Covid period I have been online meditating with groups and have found it really beneficial. May I recommend this group who can be contacted at sarahfitzgerald@innerspace.org

      I am currently attending an online course called ‘Make Your Mind Your Friend’. They have taught me how to view the world as a an invisible traveller or guest thereby avoiding all of the dramas we are all caught up in. People attend from all over the world. Groups are around 16. I joined it via Meet-up three weeks ago and am coping much better. Sue

  6. Roseline
    | Reply

    I an on a longtime illness on medication, i am an EEA moving to Ireland with my family my son is EEA too, but my Husband is holding an EEA family permit, can we asses public health? And social support if we dont recieve enough from job?
    Can i go to college, is it free or i need to pay?

  7. Pat McCaffrey
    | Reply

    I’m a 70 year old male, US citizen as well as dual citizenship for Ireland. Presently retired and living off Social Security. I have retirement funds but don’t want to tap into them unless really needed, which is why I budget based on Social Security.
    Since I have Irish citizenship, IF I purchase property and relocate, will I be fully covered for insurance?

    Thanks – this is a great resource.

  8. Chris Norland
    | Reply

    Hi Colleen, my wife and I are emigrating from UK to the Republic of Ireland this month. We are setting up health insurance, but we both have some pre-existing conditions and have been prescribed medicines here in the UK for the past few years. We are both over 60. Will we be eligible to continue receiving prescription drugs either at no cost or at a subsidised cost after we will be resident in Ireland….?

    • Colleen
      | Reply

      Hi, You will need to refer to the eligibility of the Drugs Payment Scheme and apply for the Drugs Payment Scheme at mydps.ie. If you are accepted as ‘ordinary resident’ by the Health Service Executive (HSE), then generally speaking, you are likely to be eligible. Under the Drugs Payment Scheme, you pay a maximum of €124 in a calendar month for approved prescribed drugs, medicines and certain appliances for use by yourself and your family in that month. However, in the Budget 2020, it was announced that the monthly maximum will reduce to €114 from September 2020.

  9. Alan
    | Reply

    Hi Colleen,

    Im Irish living overseas since 17, moving back, but take anti seizure medication. I will have a 3 month supply moving over, however Im curious, how do I get into see a GP? Can i make an appointment, is it full price? Or because Im an Irish citizen, it will be covered? Please advise, thanks.
    Alan

  10. Mbionwu Ugochukwu Kingsley
    | Reply

    Please, I’m a Nigerian by birth and also a medical laboratory scientist. Please I need correct guidelines on how to relocate to Ireland for work permit.

    • Colleen
      | Reply

      Thanks Marc, I am aiming to update these pages in the coming months, but I’ve been rather busy at work.
      Edit: This has now been updated to reflect the change to the legislation.

  12. Lee
    | Reply

    Hi,
    Hope you are well and Irish summer is keeping you happy.
    Me and my spouse are Non-European(Asian) and we both are on stamp 4, I’m thinking of getting my mum here as she is alone back home. Her age is 65 and she has asthma and diabetes what would be the best way to get her the medical care here in Ireland. Our insurance provider in my home country doesn’t provide any insurance for Ireland.
    It’d be really helpful if I could get some insights on how to get insurance or Medical for someone like my mother who would come here as a dependent on stamp 0.
    Hoping to hear from you.

    Thanks,
    Lee

  13. Henriette
    | Reply

    Ok, I have to give up and ask for help! I have read your (brilliant) website and tried to decifre all the information, navigate through what seems a million different healthplans and I am none the wiser!
    I am thinking about relocating to Ireland within a years time with my then 7 yearöld from my native Denmark. Now, here everything is free, included in our national healthscheme and we have never needed to think about excess pays or which kind of room where, etc. So please, can you give some sort of direction of what to look for in an affordable plan that covers all costs, as I will be footing all bills alone. In other words, I need to make a budget that is as secure as possible, but without costing an arm and a leg! I’ve looked at the individual healthinsurance websites, chatted with their consultants, tried to compare on the comparison website, but when you literally do not know what the various things means (in terms of everyday use, what exactly is the difference between HI Tech, etc, when would you be presented with excess pay etc), it is hard to know what you need. Is there any examples you can give from everyday life or links you can refer to other than the ones you’ve already listed? Thank you 🙂

    • Colleen
      | Reply

      Have you read the FAQ page of the Health service?
      As an EU citizen you will get the Irish healthcare if you are planning on living there so do you want to get health insurance?
      I suggest ringing the companies and going through your questions with them. They should also be able to suggest suitable cover based on your personal circumstances.

  14. Henriette Sommer
    | Reply

    When you say low income, what amount annually is that in Ireland?

  15. Tyler Howell
    | Reply

    I need HELP: I moving to Ireland for 2 years for College. I need Health Insurance something I can afford. Do I need to get the Insurance before I come to Ireland are after I get there. Do I get Health Insurance in Ireland. Can you please HELP. Thanks so much

    • Colleen
      | Reply

      Unless you are from the EU/EEA, you will need health insurance during your time studying in Ireland. If you have insurance from your own country, you must provide evidence of the extent of the cover (there are minimum cover requirements) and that it will cover you whilst you are in Ireland. Otherwise you will need to get Irish health insurance. There are only a few health insurance companies to choose from, which I’ve listed in my Irish Health Insurance article. If you go onto their website you can get an online quote based on your circumstances. You could try contacting the college you are planning on attending to see if they have any partnerships with a provider and whether they offer discount packages for students. There is a student scheme called Study and Connect offering quite cheap packages that can be arranged before you arrive. Here is a list of universities that they work with. Hope this helps.

      • Chuck
        | Reply

        Quick question… I am an American citizen who many years ago claimed my Irish Citizenship. So I am now an Irish citizen and hold both US and EU passports. Would I qualify for any healthcare if I relocated to Ireland? Many Thanks,
        Chuck

      • Meg
        | Reply

        Hi Colleen!
        Thank you so much for your detailed guidance on this difficult subject!
        I am also an American student, planning on studying at Cork for the next three years. I am currently researching Irish insurance plans and I cannot find any language in their plans that address medication. Am I to assume that I will have to pay out of pocket for preexisting prescriptions? I’m assuming by your posts and my research that I can get the prescriptions transferred under my Irish insurance. Are they covered under most claims and nothing is specified because the coverage is assumed?
        Thank you so much!
        Meg

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