Healthcare in Ireland: GPs, Hospitals, and Insurance

Understanding Ireland’s healthcare system is essential when moving to the country. This guide explains how it works and how to access healthcare services.

If you’re moving to Ireland from abroad, see our relocation guides for Americans, British citizens, or EU nationals for complete information on settling in, including healthcare setup.

Overview of Irish healthcare

Ireland has a mixed public and private healthcare system:

• Not free at point of use (unlike the UK’s NHS)
• Two-tier system: Public and private options
• Means-tested support: Medical cards for those on lower incomes
• Private insurance: Common among middle and higher earners
• GPs operate privately: You pay for each visit (unless you have a medical card)

Registering with a GP

Your GP (General Practitioner) is your first point of contact for healthcare.

Finding a GP

• Search online for GPs in your area
• Ask neighbours, colleagues, or friends for recommendations
• Check the Irish College of General Practitioners website
• Call practices to check they’re accepting new patients

Registration process

1. Contact the GP practice
2. Confirm they’re accepting new patients
3. Fill out a registration form
4. Provide proof of address
5. Provide PPS number
6. Some practices may require a brief initial appointment

You’ll need your PPS number to register with a GP. Apply for your PPS number as soon as you arrive in Ireland.

GP visit costs

Standard fees (private patients):

• Standard consultation: €50-€60
• Out-of-hours visit: €75-€100+
• Home visits: €100+
• Phone consultation: €30-€50

Medical card holders: Free GP visits

GP visit card holders: Free GP visits (but pay for prescriptions)

When to see your GP

Visit your GP for:

• General illness and infections
• Referrals to specialists
• Repeat prescriptions
• Health checks
• Vaccinations
• Medical certificates for work

Medical cards and GP visit cards

Medical card

A medical card gives you free:

• GP visits
• Prescribed medication
• Public hospital services
• Maternity services
• Dental, optical, and aural services
• Medical appliances

Eligibility:

• Based on income and family size
• Different thresholds for different circumstances
• Automatic for those over 70 (subject to income limits)

Income guidelines (2024, approximate):

• Single person: €218 per week
• Couple: €266.50 per week
• Add for each of first two children: €38 per week
• Each additional child: €41 per week

Higher limits for those over 70.

GP visit card

Covers GP visits only (not prescriptions or other services).

Higher income thresholds than medical card:

• Single person: €294 per week
• Couple: €400 per week
• Additional amounts for children

How to apply

1. Apply online at MyWelfare.ie, or
2. Download and post form from hse.ie, or
3. Visit your local health centre
4. Provide proof of income (payslips, P60, etc.)
5. Provide proof of address
6. Decision usually within 2-4 weeks

Prescriptions

Costs

• Prescription charges apply unless you have a medical card
• Each item costs the retail price (can vary)
• Some medications are expensive (€50-€100+)

Drugs Payment Scheme

If you don’t have a medical card:

• You never pay more than €80 per month for approved prescribed medications
• Register at any pharmacy
• Keep receipts and register for refunds
• Covers your whole family

Generic medications

• Often cheaper than branded versions
• Ask your pharmacist about generic options
• Can save significantly on costs

Hospital care

Public hospital system

Ireland has public hospitals run by the HSE (Health Service Executive).

Emergency Department (A&E):

• €100 charge for attendance
• Fee waived if admitted
• Free for medical card holders
• Waiting times can be long (4-8 hours+)

Inpatient care:

• Public patients: €80 per day (max €800 per year)
• Private patients: Full cost without insurance
• Medical card holders: Free

Outpatient appointments:

• Referred by your GP
• Long waiting lists for non-urgent care
• Free for public patients
• No charge for medical card holders

Private hospitals

• Faster access
• Private rooms
• Shorter waiting times
• Significantly more expensive without insurance
• Popular private hospitals: Bon Secours, Mater Private, Blackrock Clinic

Emergency situations

When to go to A&E:

• Severe injuries
• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Suspected stroke
• Severe bleeding
• Loss of consciousness

Call 999 or 112 for:

• Life-threatening emergencies
• Serious accidents
• Ambulance needed

For non-emergencies:

• Contact your GP first
• Use GP out-of-hours service
• Visit a minor injury clinic

Private health insurance

About half of Irish residents have private health insurance.

Why get private insurance?

• Faster access to specialists
• Avoid long public waiting lists
• Choice of consultant
• Private or semi-private rooms
• Dental and optical coverage (some plans)

Main insurance providers

VHI Healthcare

• Largest provider
• Wide range of plans
• Good hospital network

Irish Life Health

• Comprehensive plans
• Competitive pricing
• Good customer service

Laya Healthcare

• Various plan levels
• Innovative options
• Good value plans

For a complete comparison of providers, coverage options, costs, and help choosing the right plan, see our detailed private health insurance comparison guide.

Types of plans

Basic plans (€50-€80/month):

• Public hospital cover
• Some excess charges
• Limited private hospital cover

Mid-range plans (€100-€150/month):

• Private hospital cover
• Lower excess
• Outpatient cover
• Day-to-day expenses

Premium plans (€200+/month):

• Full private hospital cover
• No or low excess
• Extensive outpatient cover
• Additional benefits (dental, optical)

Healthcare is a significant expense to budget for. Private health insurance costs €1,000-€3,000+ per year per adult. Factor this into your overall budget using our cost of living in Ireland guide.

What insurance covers

Typical coverage includes:

• Hospital accommodation
• Consultant fees
• Surgical procedures
• Diagnostic tests
• Outpatient consultations
• Some day-to-day expenses

What’s NOT covered

Usually not covered:

• Pre-existing conditions (for first few years)
• GP visits (most plans)
• Routine dental care
• Routine optical care
• Cosmetic procedures
• Pregnancy-related care (waiting period applies)

Choosing a plan

Consider:

• Your health needs
• Your budget
• Hospital access in your area
• Excess amounts
• Waiting periods
• Age-related loading (if over 35 and first time insured in Ireland)

Maternity care

Maternity services

Available through:

• Public hospitals (free with maternity card)
• Private obstetricians (€3,000-€5,000+ for full care)
• Semi-private or combined care (mid-range option)

Maternity and Infant Care Scheme

All pregnant women in Ireland are entitled to:

• Free GP visits for pregnancy-related care
• Two scans (one dating, one anomaly)
• Hospital birth care
• Postnatal care

Not dependent on medical card or insurance.

Maternity leave and benefits

• 26 weeks paid maternity leave
• Additional 16 weeks unpaid leave
• Maternity benefit from social welfare (if eligible)

Dental care

Public dental care

Limited free dental services:

• Medical card holders: Some basic treatments free
• PRSI contributors: Free exam and limited treatments
• Children: Free in primary schools

Private dental care

Most dental care is private:

• Check-up and cleaning: €50-€100
• Fillings: €80-€150
• Root canal: €400-€800
• Crowns: €600-€1,200
• Orthodontics: €3,000-€6,000

Dental insurance

• Some health insurance plans include dental cover
• Separate dental insurance available
• PRSI tax relief available for dental expenses

Optical care

Public optical services

Limited free services for:

• Medical card holders
• Children with certain conditions

Private optical care

Most optical care is private:

• Eye test: €25-€50
• Glasses: €100-€400+
• Contact lenses: €200-€400 per year

Optical benefits

• Some health insurance includes optical benefits
• PRSI tax relief for optical expenses

Pharmacy services

Pharmacy network

• Wide network across Ireland
• Many open extended hours
• Some 24-hour pharmacies in cities

Pharmacy services

Available at most pharmacies:

• Prescription medications
• Over-the-counter medications
• Minor ailment advice
• Blood pressure checks
• Flu vaccinations
• Emergency contraception
• Smoking cessation support

Pharmacy costs

• Prescription costs vary
• Over-the-counter medications similar to UK/EU prices
• Pharmacist advice is free

Mental health services

Public services

• Free through GP referral
• Long waiting lists (months to years)
• CAMHS for children and adolescents
• Adult mental health services

Private services

• Psychologists: €80-€150 per session
• Psychiatrists: €150-€250 per session
• Counsellors: €50-€100 per session
• Some insurance covers sessions

Crisis support

Free services:

• Samaritans: 116 123 (24/7)
• Pieta House: 1800 247 247 (suicide prevention)
• Aware: 1800 80 48 48 (depression, anxiety)
• Text 50808 (24/7 crisis text line)

Vaccinations

Childhood vaccinations

Free through:

• GP surgeries
• Health centres
• School vaccination programs

Adult vaccinations

• Flu vaccine: €25-€35 (free for medical card holders and over 65s)
• Travel vaccines: Vary by vaccine (€30-€80 each)
• COVID-19 vaccines: Free

For EU/EEA citizens

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

If you have an EHIC from another EU country:

• Covers necessary healthcare during temporary stays
• Access to public healthcare at same cost as Irish residents
• Not a replacement for travel or health insurance
• Only for temporary visits, not long-term residence

After moving to Ireland

• Register with HSE
• Apply for Irish medical card if eligible
• Consider health insurance

For UK citizens

UK-Ireland healthcare agreement

Post-Brexit arrangements:

• UK nationals resident in Ireland can access healthcare
• Similar to other foreign nationals
• Apply for medical card if eligible
• EHIC/GHIC covers emergency care during visits

Healthcare costs summary

Typical annual healthcare costs (without insurance):

• GP visits (3-4 times): €180-€240
• Prescriptions: €200-€400
• Dental check-up: €50-€100
• Eye test: €25-€50
• Total: €450-€800+

With private insurance (€1,200-€2,400/year):

• Lower out-of-pocket costs
• Faster access to care
• Private hospital options

Tips for managing healthcare costs

1. Apply for medical card: If eligible, this saves significantly
2. Register for Drugs Payment Scheme: Caps monthly medication costs
3. Consider health insurance: Weigh cost vs benefits for your situation
4. Use generic medications: Ask pharmacist for cheaper alternatives
5. Preventative care: Regular check-ups can prevent expensive treatments
6. Keep receipts: Can claim tax relief on medical expenses over €125/year
7. Compare insurance plans: Shop around annually

Useful contacts and websites

• HSE (Health Service Executive): hse.ie - Main health service provider
• HSE Live: 1850 24 1850 - Health information line
• Emergency services: 999 or 112
• MyWelfare.ie: Apply for medical cards
• Health Insurance Authority: hia.ie - Compare insurance plans
• Citizens Information: 0818 07 4000 - Health entitlement advice

Summary

Ireland’s healthcare system requires you to be proactive and prepared for costs. Register with a GP early, understand your entitlements, consider insurance based on your needs, and keep track of medical expenses for tax purposes. With proper planning, you can navigate the system effectively and access good quality care.