If you are willing to be treated in Ireland, you do not need to obtain a special visa or a permit for entry to receive treatment. 

If you are visiting Ireland, you have the right for free or subsidized medical services depending on your circumstances. Your right to medical care generally depends on the place of your residence. 

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Medical card

Anyone who lives in Ireland and intends to live here for at least another year can apply for a medical card.

How to get a medical card?

To obtain a medical card, your weekly income must be below a certain number for your family. Cash income, savings, investments and property (other than own housing) are taken into account in the income check.

What are the advantages of a medical card?

If you have a health card issued by the health authority (HSE), you can get certain medical services for free. Usually, your spouse, or a partner on your dependence, and your children are also offered the same range of health services.

Find out more on the website.

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Visitors from the EU/EEA member states and Switzerland

If you are visiting Ireland, you can use a valid European health insurance card issued by your country to receive medical care.

If you have EHIC, you can get the necessary medical treatment in Ireland for free. However, EHIC only covers public health care, not private health care. You must have a European Health Insurance Card when you travel to Ireland.

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Some categories of people, such as employees on business trips, are entitled to receive medical cards under EU rules - see the section on additional information on medical cards.

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Visitors from outside of the EU, EEA, Switzerland, or the UK

If you come from outside of the EU, EEA, Switzerland, or the UK, you are not entitled to free or subsidized medical services. You can consider travel insurance.

If you can demonstrate to the HSE that you intend to live in Ireland for at least one year, you will be considered a regular resident and entitled to free or subsidized medical services. The HSE can look for evidence that you have a legal right to live here for at least a year. .Individuals at your dependence must show that they also intend to live here for at least a year to be considered ordinary residents of Ireland. They are not automatically considered ordinary residents because of your right.

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Visitors from Great Britain

If you are a UK citizen, you have access to medical care within the Common Travel Area when visiting Ireland. Britain's withdrawal from the EU did not affect this agreement. You should provide proof of your UK citizenship.

Residents of the United Kingdom can access the necessary medical care when visiting Ireland. You can show any of the following as proof of residence in the UK:

• Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), issued in the UK;
• UK driver's license;
• Voter card or medical card of Northern Ireland;
• Biometric residence permit in the UK;
• 2 documents tied to your UK address (such as a bank statement, or an utility bill) issued within 6 months.

You will need to show your photo ID if the document you are presenting does not have a photo.

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Asylum seekers, refugees and people coming from Ukraine in accordance with the Temporary Protection Directive are also entitled to receive free medical care. Ukrainians will receive the same health care services as people living in Ireland. They are also entitled to a medical card. The medical card allows you to visit a doctor for free, receive other medical services and receive medicines at a reduced price.

It is necessary to apply for a medical card using a special application form for a medical card (pdf) for citizens of Ukraine.

Find out more about providing medical care to foreigners in Ireland here.