The Irish healthcare system is organized in a rational and well-thought-out manner. Doctors in this country are highly qualified, and medical facilities are equipped with modern technology. However, there are frequent complaints about long queues and a limited range of free services. Learn more about the peculiarities of medical care in Ireland in 2024

Medicine in Ireland is recognized as one of the most effective and modern in the world. Doctors in Ireland are highly paid and constantly improve their skills. There are no polyclinics familiar to us here, almost all issues are dealt with by a family doctor who sees patients in a private or home office.

The family doctor performs vaccinations, rapid tests, and even ultrasound. His office is equipped with the latest technology, which allows the patient to receive all the necessary medical care at once, except for the need to contact a narrow specialist.

Health insurance in Ireland

In this country, it is not necessary to have health insurance, but most people buy it because medical care is very expensive. There are public and private insurance companies. State insurance does not cover 100% of the costs, so you will have to pay extra even for a doctor's appointment.

Insurance in private companies is usually paid for by the employer. Often this item is a bonus for company employees. 

Basic insurance costs about 100 euros per month. However, if you need additional insurance, the price can increase significantly, as it includes dentistry, ophthalmology, physiological procedures, etc.

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Planning a trip or move abroad? An important part of a successful trip is an insurance policy, as it guarantees high-quality medical care anywhere in the world and can protect you from unnecessary expenses while travelling.  You can buy insurance from trusted agents on the Visit World portal. 

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Healthcare system in Ireland

In Ireland, the state health insurance program covers only emergency care and primary visits to a family doctor (GP) for 70% of the population who do not receive benefits. The reason for this is insufficient funding. The healthcare system is financed by a single tax, but revenues are low and voluntary insurance is expensive and not popular among the population. In large companies, corporate insurance is used, when the employer takes out VHI policies for employees; family members can be included in the policy for an additional fee.

Most medical institutions in Ireland are private practices, so for non-privileged categories of the population, medical care is mostly paid. For vulnerable groups, there are programs for reimbursement of medical expenses: pensioners over 70 and children under 6 years old are treated free of charge, and people with low incomes must confirm their income level every year.

A GP Visit Card entitles you to free visits to a general practitioner, house calls, basic tests, pregnancy management, and childbirth. In the event of hospitalization, medical care is subsidized, but you will have to pay from 80 EUR for a place in a ward, and the maximum amount of patient participation in hospitalization does not exceed 800 EUR per year. The least well-off and refugees receive additional compensation. 

The extended health insurance card Medical Card includes additional free services:

1. Basic hardware diagnostics;

2. Medical care at home;

3. Basic dental treatment;

4. Ophthalmologist and audiologist services;

5. Ordering glasses and hearing aids;

6. Short-term psychotherapy courses.

There are also support programs for patients with serious illnesses who do not meet the GP Visit Card criteria for income but have high medical expenses. Officially employed foreigners with permanent residence receive preferential medical care under the same conditions as local residents; foreigners with temporary visas are covered by commercial insurance.

What documents are needed to go for treatment in Ireland?

To come to Ireland for medical treatment, you need to apply for a short-term medical visa with a "C" marking. It allows you to stay in the country for up to 90 days for medical procedures.

However, there are several conditions for obtaining this visa:

1. If the necessary medical procedure is not performed in your country of residence;

2. The chosen clinic has confirmed its intention to take you for treatment;

3. You can pay for the treatment yourself;

A type C visa does not allow you to be treated in public clinics. You are also not allowed to work with it.

Everyone who plans to be treated in Ireland must apply for a visa. This must be done 3 months before the planned trip. To do this, you need to create a visa application online, pay the visa fee, and send the necessary documents. If it is approved, the Irish visa will be placed in your passport and sent back to you.

Once you have completed your application, write down the transaction number so that you can check the status in the future. Pay the visa fee of 60 or 100 euros for single or multiple entry.

Required documents:

1. A letter from the hospital in your country of residence;

2. A letter from an Irish hospital;

3. Visa fee;

4. Foreign passport;

5. Application letter;

6. Accommodation plan;

7. Confirmation of payment.

Important: all documents must be translated into English and notarized.

If necessary, the consulate may ask you to show additional documents. Sometimes, it may require biometric information (fingerprints, iris scans, etc.).

Ambulance in Ireland

Municipal ambulances in Ireland (112, 999) are free for everyone, but the call must be justified by a real danger to life. Otherwise, you will have to pay about 130 EUR for the arrival of the crew. 

If the patient's condition is not life-threatening, you should contact your family doctor, where patients with acute symptoms are seen out of turn. Outside of business hours, emergency medical care is provided in the departments of regular hospitals. If it is difficult for a patient to move around, you can invite a doctor to your home in the evening to provide the necessary medical care.

How to make an appointment with a doctor in Ireland

Private practices in Ireland have their own rules of admission, and usually, an appointment with a family doctor is made in advance, by phone or website. Before visiting a doctor, a foreign citizen must apply for a medical card at the municipal health service, providing personal data such as name, contact phone number, address of permanent residence, and a unique personal identifier (PPS). 

The application must be accompanied by the consent of the doctor you have chosen to include you in the list of regular clients. If you have not chosen a doctor yourself, you will be assigned one of the registered GPs at your place of residence. Electronic medical records simplify the appointment process, as all information is stored in a digital database, which saves time on formal issues.

Medical cards in Ireland

In Ireland, a medical card is issued to people from vulnerable groups, including refugees from Ukraine. Holders of this card are entitled to free use of various medical services. The card is issued for one year and can be renewed. 

Three months before the card expires, the current status of the cardholder may be checked, including financial status, health, minor children, disabled persons or elderly persons under their care. Medical services can check eligibility for the card at any time. If your income exceeds the established limit, you lose the right to a healthcare card. 

People over 70 are exempt from verification. You may also lose your eligibility if you do not update your contact information, for example, if you change your place of residence.

You can receive the following services with your health card:

1. Family doctors (general practitioners, GPs);

2. Nurses;

3. Community care services, such as physiotherapy and speech therapy;

4. Hospital or emergency services;

5. Children's health care services;

6. Mental health services;

7. Services for people with disabilities;

8. Pregnancy and childbirth services;

9. Services for the elderly.

Dental services are partially covered - ask your specialist which services are included. Eyeglasses are also subject to limitations.

People with disabilities

In Ireland, people with disabilities, including children, can get help to integrate into society. The HSE provides support for people with intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, sight, hearing, motor disorders, and difficulties with eating and dressing.

Services include:

1. Visits by a community health nurse (CHN);

2. Home care and personal assistant services;

3. Psychological assistance;

4. Speech therapy;

5. Occupational therapy;

6. Social services;

7. Physiotherapy;

8. Day or temporary care.

There may be a waiting list for some services. Waiting times depend on the type of care you need and the demand for these services in your area.

Giving birth in Ireland

Experience shows that women arrive for childbirth in Ireland several months before the due date. During this time, they are looking for a good clinic for pregnancy management and consultations. You can choose a municipal or private clinic or a special center for women.

Due to the fact that a type C medical visa allows you to stay in the country for up to 3 months, which, of course, will not be enough, you need to apply for a student, guest, or other visa.

After the birth of a child, parents apply for a birth certificate, which takes up to a month. Then you can apply for a passport. Officially, a person born in Ireland can apply for Irish citizenship. After 3 years, the child's passport will need to be replaced with a new one, and this does not require traveling to Ireland again - this is done with the help of a lawyer or by mail.

Parents of a newly minted Irish citizen will be able to apply for a residence permit. To do this, you will need a passport, a valid visa, and a marriage certificate (if available). Every year, the residence permit will need to be renewed, and only 5 years after that, the child's parents will be able to become Irish citizens.

We remind you! Thousands of migrants around the world choose Ireland as an ideal place to live. And this is not surprising, as the country is known for its picturesque countryside, clean environment and high standard of living. Read more about the possible ways to obtain Irish citizenship in 2024.

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