European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) Ireland

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) helps you get healthcare for free or at a lower cost when you’re in another EU country. You can use it:

• If you are planning to go on holiday.
• Staying abroad for less than 3 months.
• Studying in another EU country (you’re covered for the full academic year).

How to Apply (If You Are Residing in Ireland)

You can apply for a European Health Insurance Card if you live in Ireland and plan to stay for at least a year. There are a few ways to apply:

• Drop into your local health office in person. List of Local Health Offices.
• Go online, if you already have a Medical Card or a Drugs Payment Scheme Card
• Or by post, just send your application to your local health office.

Once you apply, your card should arrive in about ten working days. Need one urgently? No problem, just visit your local EHIC office for a temporary certificate.

Applying For Your Family

Everyone in the family needs their own card. This includes yourself, your partner and children under 16 (a parent or guardian needs to apply for them).

Using Your EHIC Abroad

If you are abroad and need to see a doctor or get treatment, bring your European Health Insurance Card. Each country handles the use of the European Health Insurance Card a little differently. Sometimes, even though healthcare is free in Ireland, you might have to pay something abroad. You can check the European Commission website for details on how the card works in different countries (just pick the country you’re visiting). Note: You can’t use your EHIC in the UK. Remember, an EHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance if you are going abroad.

What’s a Patient Co-Payment?

Some countries require you to pay a portion of your medical costs; this is called a patient share or co-payment. Unfortunately, you can’t get reimbursed for that amount.

Using an EHIC in Ireland

If you’re visiting Ireland and have an EHIC, you can get necessary medical treatment free of charge, but only through public healthcare.

What You Should Do in an Emergency

Call 999 or 112 if it’s a serious emergency. An ambulance will bring you to the hospital, you won’t be charged for the hospital treatment if you have your EHIC.

Seeing a Doctor (GP)

To see a GP, look for one who’s part of the Primary Care Reimbursement Scheme (PCRS). You can get free treatment from a PCRS GP with your EHIC if you are visiting Ireland. Ask your local health office for a list of PCRS doctors in your area.

• Call the doctor’s office to check their hours (some have recorded messages with after-hours contact information).
• If you need medication, the GP will write a prescription for you. However, there is currently a €1.50 charge for each item but you only pay up to €15 a month per person.
• And if you need a specialist, they’ll give you a referral.

Tip: Let the doctor know you want to be treated as a public patient, not a private one. Tell them that you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

Please note: Not all GPs accept the EHIC for reimbursement. You should check with the practice in advance. The EHIC typically covers public healthcare only. Many GPs in Ireland operate private practices and may charge fees even if you have an EHIC.

Seeing a Dentist

Need emergency dental care? If you’re visiting Ireland and have a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you may be able to access emergency dental treatment free of charge at a public HSE Dental Clinic.

To do so, contact your local HSE health office to find out which clinics are available and whether you qualify for treatment under the EHIC.

• The EHIC only covers medically necessary care during a temporary stay, such as emergency dental treatment (pain, infection, or trauma etc).
• Routine dental care (cleanings, fillings, check-ups) is not covered under the EHIC in Ireland.
• Not all areas have HSE dental clinics with immediate availability, and you may be placed on a waiting list.

If I have an EHIC, do I need a travel insurance policy?

EHIC isn’t a replacement for travel insurance. It only covers public healthcare and not things like private hospitals or emergency repatriation.

The EHIC gives you access to public healthcare in EU/EEA countries at the same cost as locals (sometimes free), but it doesn’t cover private care, repatriation, or travel issues.

Travel insurance covers medical emergencies, cancellations, lost luggage, and more, often including private healthcare and global coverage.

Best Practice: Bring both! EHIC helps with public healthcare access in Europe, but travel insurance covers much more and protects you financially in a wider range of situations. Review holiday insurance quotes at Compare Insurance Ireland today to find great online deals and save!