Accessing Healthcare

While some health services are free of charge to everyone such as maternity services and immunisation services, you will be asked to pay for other services if you do not have a medical card. Free services linked to a medical card are: visits to a General Practitioner (GP – a family doctor) including out-of-hours GP services, prescribed drugs and medicines, in-patient public hospital and out-patient services, short-term counselling for mild to moderate psychological difficulties, dental checks, eye tests and ear tests.

To apply for a medical card, you can complete the application form, or collect the form at Local Health Offices, IPAS Accommodation Centres, or from Health Service Executive (HSE) Migrant Health teams.

Eligibility for a medical card is based on your own income, not the family or the individuals who are providing accommodation if you are in private accommodation. If your only income is the Daily Expenses Allowance (DEA) weekly payment of €38.80 for adults and €29.80 for children, then you automatically qualify.