At a Glance: Irish Healthcare
| System Name | Health Service Executive (HSE) |
|---|---|
| Core Principle | Means-Tested (Income Based) |
| Medical Card | Free GP, Hospital, Medicines |
| GP Visit Card | Free Doctor Visits Only |
| Private Patients | Pay for GP (€50-70) & Hospital (€80) |
| Emergency Number | 112 or 999 |
The healthcare system in Ireland is dual-layered: Public and Private. The public system is managed by the Health Service Executive (HSE).
Unlike the NHS in the UK where everyone gets free care automatically, access to free public healthcare in Ireland depends on your residency status and your income ("Means Test"). Residents are divided into two main categories:
- Medical Card Holders (Approx 32% of population): Full free care.
- Non-Medical Card Holders: Subsidized hospital care, but must pay for GP visits and prescriptions.
1. The Medical Card (Full Eligibility)
This is the "Gold Standard" of public health coverage in Ireland. If you hold a Medical Card issued by the HSE, you pay essentially nothing.
What is Covered?
- Free GP (Family Doctor) visits.
- Free Prescribed Medicines (small charge of €1.50 per item).
- Free Public Hospital services (Inpatient & Outpatient).
- Dental, Optical, and Hearing services (limited).
- Maternity & Infant Care.
2. The GP Visit Card (Partial Eligibility)
If your income is too high for a Medical Card, you might still qualify for a GP Visit Card. The income limit for this card is generally 50% higher than the limit for the Medical Card.
- What it covers: Free visits to your family doctor (GP).
- What it does NOT cover: Hospital charges and Medication costs. You still have to pay for these.
- Automatic Eligibility: All children under 8 years and everyone over 70 years get this card automatically, regardless of income.
The Means Test: Do I Qualify?
To get a card, the HSE looks at your weekly income after tax and PRSI. They also deduct reasonable expenses like rent/mortgage, childcare, and travel to work.
Example Limit (Single Person living alone):
If your weekly income (after expenses) is below €184, you qualify for a Medical Card.
If it is below €276, you qualify for a GP Visit Card.
*Note: Limits are higher for couples and families with children.
Drug Payment Scheme (DPS)
If you do not have a Medical Card, medicine can be expensive. However, the government protects you with the Drug Payment Scheme (DPS).
Under the DPS, an individual or family pays a maximum of €80 per month for approved prescribed medicines.
- How it works: You apply for a DPS Card (it's free). You show it at the pharmacy.
- The Cap: Once your family spends €80 in a calendar month, the HSE pays the rest for that month.
- Eligibility: Anyone who is "ordinarily resident" in Ireland can apply, regardless of income.
Hospital & A&E Charges
If you do not have a Medical Card, you must be aware of these charges to avoid "Bill Shock".
| Service | Cost (Non-Medical Card Holder) |
|---|---|
| GP Visit | Private fee (approx €50 - €70) |
| A&E (Emergency Room) | €100 (if you don't have a GP referral letter) |
| Hospital Overnight Stay | Abolished in 2023! (Public inpatient charges are now free) |
| Injury Unit | €75 |
*Tip: To avoid the €100 A&E charge, always visit your GP first to get a referral letter, unless it is a life-threatening emergency.*
Find a GP or Hospital
You must register with a GP who accepts GMS (Medical Card) patients. Finding one can be difficult in busy areas like Dublin.
HSE Service Finder
Find a GP, Health Centre, or Hospital near you using the official HSE map.
Find a GP Near You →Out of hours? Search for "GP Out of Hours Service" (SouthDoc, D-Doc, etc.).