If you are moving to Ireland or already working there and wondering how much a visit to the doctor costs, what a medical card is, and what happens with your NFZ insurance, the Irish healthcare system operates differently than the Polish one: public care exists, but visits to a general practitioner (GP) are paid for most adults, and what you receive for free depends on your place of residence and income – not just your contributions. This guide explains how it all works, step by step.
Last verification: October 21, 2026. Informational material – not legal, tax, or medical advice. Amounts and rules may change; confirm them with an official source (HSE, Citizens Information, Health Insurance Authority).
In Brief
- Public healthcare eligibility requires “ordinarily resident” status – you live in Ireland and intend to reside here for at least a year (Citizens Information).
- Without a medical card or GP visit card, you pay out of pocket for visits to a GP (Citizens Information).
- Children under 8 years old and individuals over 70 receive a GP visit card without an income assessment (Citizens Information, as of October 13, 2026).
- Prescription medications: with a Drugs Payment Scheme card, a family pays a maximum of €80 per month (Citizens Information).
- Emergency department visits without a GP referral cost €100; the daily charge for public hospital stays was abolished on April 17, 2023 (Citizens Information).
- Private insurance purchased for the first time at age 35+ is 2% more expensive for each year "without a policy" – unless purchased within 9 months of moving to Ireland (HIA).
Structure of the Irish System
Public healthcare in Ireland is organized by the HSE (Health Service Executive) – the equivalent of our NFZ combined with a network of public facilities. A key difference from Poland: the right to benefits primarily depends on place of residence and income, not on paying contributions. Citizens Information states that eligibility for health services is mainly based on residency and wealth, not on paying taxes or PRSI (Irish social insurance contribution) (Citizens Information).
Individuals considered “ordinarily resident” are divided into two groups (Citizens Information):
Full eligibility (Category 1) – holders of a medical card: free GP, public hospitals, medications (with a small charge per item on the prescription), selected dental, optical, and ENT services.
Limited eligibility (Category 2) – all others: you pay for GP visits and medications (with a limit under the Drugs Payment Scheme), while public hospital services are free or at a reduced fee.
What Does “Ordinarily Resident” Mean
This is a status you must demonstrate to the HSE: you have lived in Ireland for at least a year or intend to live here for at least a year. The HSE may request a rental agreement or property purchase deed, bank statement, current utility bill, home or car insurance policy, or a letter from an authority (e.g., from Revenue). Documents must be from the last 12 months (Citizens Information).
PPS Number – You Can't Move Without It
PPSN (Personal Public Service Number) is the Irish equivalent of the PESEL number used in dealings with authorities. Applications for a medical card and GP visit card, as well as registration in the Drugs Payment Scheme, require the PPS numbers of you and your family members (Citizens Information). If you are just arriving, obtain your PPSN as soon as possible – it will also be needed for private insurance (the HIA lists the PPSN application from the last 9 months as one of the proofs that you did not previously reside in Ireland, HIA).
Medical Card vs. GP Visit Card – Comparison
Both cards are issued by the HSE and you apply for both using the same form. The HSE first checks if you qualify for a medical card, and if not, considers the GP visit card, for which the income thresholds are higher (Citizens Information).
Free GP (including out-of-hours services), medications with a charge of €1.50 per item (max €15/month), free public hospital services, dental, vision, and hearing examinations, free short-term psychological therapy. Income threshold is the lowest.
Free visits to GP and out-of-hours services. Does not cover medications or hospital fees. Higher income threshold; no income assessment for children under 8 years and individuals over 70.
You pay for GP visits according to the practice's pricing. Medications: €80/month limit for families with a DPS card. Emergency department visit without a referral: €100. Public hospital stay as a public patient: no daily charge.
| Service | Medical Card | GP Visit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Visits to GP, including out-of-hours | yes, free | yes, free |
| Prescription Medications | yes, with a charge per item | no (DPS helps) |
| Public Hospital (stay and outpatient) | yes | no |
| Dental, Vision, and Hearing Examinations | yes | no |
| Counselling in Primary Care (short therapy) | yes | no |
Source of the table: Citizens Information – services for cardholders.
Income Thresholds for GP Visit Card (Individuals Under 70)
The HSE compares your net weekly income (after tax, PRSI, and USC) with the so-called basic rate. The rates are effective from November 13, 2023, and were current on the Citizens Information page edited on October 13, 2026 (Citizens Information):
| Situation | Net Weekly Threshold |
|---|---|
| Single person living alone | €418 |
| Single person living with family | €373 |
| Married couple/partner or single parent with children | €607 |
| Allowance for each of the first 2 children under 16 | €57 |
| Allowance for the 3rd and each subsequent child under 16 | €61.50 |
If you exceed the threshold, the HSE also considers expenses that raise it, including rent or mortgage payments and childcare costs. For the medical card, savings, investments, and properties outside your home are also counted in the income assessment (Citizens Information). If medical expenses would put you in a difficult financial situation, you can apply for a discretionary medical card even if you exceed the threshold.
How to Apply for a Medical Card or GP Visit Card
- Obtain PPSN and Document Your Residence
Prepare the PPS numbers for your entire family and documents confirming your address from the last 12 months (rental agreement, bill, bank statement).
- Check Your Chances with the HSE Calculator
The HSE provides an eligibility calculator. The result is indicative – the final decision will only come after a full application (Citizens Information).
- Submit Your Application Online or on Paper
The quickest way is through the mymedicalcard.ie website. Alternatively, send the MC1 form (for individuals 70+: MC1(a)) via email to PCRS or by post (Citizens Information).
- Choose a GP from the HSE List
The GP must accept you as a patient on the card. When applying online, the HSE contacts the chosen doctor. For paper applications, you usually select a GP within about 7 miles of your home; if the practice does not accept new patients, try another from the list.
- Keep Track of Reviews
The HSE periodically verifies eligibility. If you do not return the review form, your card may not be renewed (Citizens Information).
Visiting a GP Without a Card
If you do not have a medical card or GP visit card, you are not entitled to free visits to a GP (Citizens Information). The official sources we checked do not provide a single rate for a visit – ask for the price when registering. You can find a doctor in your area using the HSE Find a GP search tool (as of October 2026, it showed nearly 2500 practices).
Medications: Drugs Payment Scheme and Prescription Charges
Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS) – a program for everyone “ordinarily resident,” without an income assessment. You and your family pay a maximum of €80 per month for approved prescription medications and some medical devices; the limit has been in effect since March 1, 2022 (Citizens Information, page edited on October 13, 2026).
After registration, you receive a card for each person (there is also a digital version in the HSE Health App). It is best to fill prescriptions at one pharmacy during a given month – if you use multiple pharmacies, you may pay more than €80 and then need to apply for a refund for the excess. From June 1, 2025, a DPS card or medical card also provides free hormone replacement therapy (HRT) at participating pharmacies.
Prescription Charge with Medical Card – €1.50 for each item issued, maximum €15 per month per person or family; for individuals 70+, it is €1 per item and a maximum of €10 per month (Citizens Information). Register your family as a group (family certificate) so that the pharmacy does not charge more than the limit.
Hospital, Emergency Department, and Emergencies
Numbers 999 and 112 operate in parallel, calls are free, and the National Ambulance Service does not charge for ambulance transport (Citizens Information).
Hospital Charges
For a visit to the emergency department without a GP referral, you will pay €100 – one-time for the first visit for that issue; subsequent visits to the outpatient clinic for the same issue should not incur additional charges. Charges are not applicable to holders of a medical card, individuals admitted from the emergency department to a ward, women receiving maternity care, children up to 6 weeks old, and individuals entitled under EU regulations. In the injury unit (minor fractures, sprains, wounds, burns), the charge is €75 (Citizens Information, page edited on August 1, 2026).
Important, if you have read older guides: the daily charge for public hospital stays for public patients was abolished on April 17, 2023. You will pay if you choose to receive treatment as a private patient in a public hospital – then part of the costs may be covered by private insurance (Citizens Information).
GP Out-of-Hours Services
Night and weekend GP co-op services operate. There is no walk-in access – you call, first speak with a nurse, and she decides if you need a visit. The number is usually provided by your GP's answering machine, and the HSE publishes a list of numbers. Holders of a medical card and GP visit card do not pay for these services; other patients do pay (Citizens Information).
Private Health Insurance
In addition to the public system, you can purchase private health insurance. The market regulator, Health Insurance Authority (HIA), compares plans from four insurers in its free tool: Irish Life Health, Laya Healthcare, Level Health, and Vhi Healthcare. We do not specify a particular policy – coverage and prices change several times a year (as of October 2026, the HIA indicated price changes from October 31 and November 1, 2026).
Lifetime Community Rating – Penalty for Late Entry
According to HIA:
- If you purchase hospital insurance (inpatient) for the first time at age 35 or older, you pay a loading of 2% for each year over 34 without insurance;
- HIA example: first policy at age 45 incurs a 22% loading, meaning €1220 instead of €1000;
- The loading is capped at 70% and you pay it for a maximum of 10 years;
- Moving from abroad: if you purchase insurance within 9 months of moving to Ireland, you will not pay the loading;
- A break in insurance of up to 13 weeks does not incur a loading; so-called cash plans do not count towards the duration;
- You must prove that you previously lived abroad (e.g., foreign rental agreement, statements, bills, travel documents).
Dentist and Mental Health
Dentist: public support is limited. The medical card covers “selected dental services” and dental examinations; the GP visit card does not cover them (Citizens Information). Without a medical card, you usually pay for dental treatment yourself – check the detailed scope before your visit.
Mental Health: holders of a medical card can access free short-term therapy for mild and moderate mental health difficulties through Counselling in Primary Care; ask your GP for a referral (Citizens Information). Children under 16 have free outpatient psychiatric treatment (Citizens Information). The 2027 budget plans for an additional 33,000 hours of free counselling in community mental health care (Budget in Brief 2027). In a mental health crisis, call 112 or 999.
What About NFZ, EKUZ, and S1
Going to Work in Ireland
In the EU, you pay health contributions in only one country. When you start working or doing business in Ireland, Irish regulations apply from that moment – this also applies to retirees, pensioners, and individuals voluntarily insured in Poland. Relatives can no longer register you with the NFZ as a family member. Exception: a posted worker by a Polish employer for a maximum of 24 months remains insured with the NFZ, and the employer must obtain an A1 certificate from ZUS. If you work simultaneously in Poland and Ireland, ZUS determines where you pay contributions (NFZ).
A posted worker can receive an EKUZ or S1 document from the NFZ. With the S1 document (formerly E106), a posted worker in Ireland can obtain a medical card (Citizens Information).
Polish Pension, While Living in Ireland
If you live in Ireland, receive a pension from another EU country, and are not subject to the Irish insurance system (do not receive contributory benefits from Ireland and do not work there with PRSI obligations), you can obtain a medical card under EU regulations. You apply together with the appropriate S form from the country that pays the benefit – then the HSE does not assess your income (Citizens Information).
Visiting Ireland
With a valid EKUZ (European Health Insurance Card) issued in Poland, you will receive necessary treatment in Ireland for free, but only in public healthcare, not in private (Citizens Information). Individuals entitled under EU regulations are also exempt from the €100 fee in the emergency department (Citizens Information).
How to Find a Polish-Speaking Doctor
We do not provide names – we did not find an official registry of doctors by language. However, you can search using the following methods:
- HSE Search Tool
In HSE Find a GP, find practices in your area. The search tool does not filter by language but provides phone numbers and websites.
- Ask at the Reception
Call and directly ask if there is a doctor or nurse who speaks Polish in the practice – and whether they accept patients with a medical card or GP visit card, if you have one.
- Polish Community and Diplomatic Institutions
Ask in Polish parishes, Polish community organizations, and the Polish Embassy in Dublin. Treat recommendations from forums cautiously and always check if the doctor practices legally in Ireland.
Common Mistakes
- Assuming that paying PRSI grants free GP access – in Ireland, free care is determined by the card, not just contributions.
- Going to the emergency department without a referral for a minor issue – you will pay €100; for a minor injury, the injury unit costs €75, and urgent advice can also be provided by out-of-hours services.
- Not registering in the Drugs Payment Scheme – without a DPS card, there is no monthly limit of €80.
- Delaying private insurance after moving – after 9 months, individuals 35+ start paying the LCR surcharge.
- Not sending the review form for the medical card or GP visit card – the card may expire.
- Remaining registered with the NFZ as a family member despite working in Ireland.
- Using outdated information about daily hospital charges – they were abolished in 2023.
This guide does not replace advice from a doctor or official. In case of a health or life emergency, call 112 or 999 – do not consider the costs. For eligibility matters, contact the HSE (Lo-call 0818 22 44 78, provided by Citizens Information) or your local Citizens Information office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I automatically have the right to free care in Ireland as a Pole from the EU?
No, not automatically. If you live in Ireland (ordinarily resident), you have the same rules as other residents: public hospital with low fees, but GP and medications are paid unless you receive a card. As a tourist, you use the EKUZ.
How much does a visit to the GP cost?
Official sources we checked do not provide a single rate. Ask for the price when registering at the practice. With a medical card or GP visit card, the visit is free.
Does my child have a free doctor?
Children under 8 years old are entitled to a GP visit card without an income assessment, meaning free visits to a participating GP. You must register them (Citizens Information).
Does the 2027 budget change the fees?
In the document Budget in Brief 2027, we did not find changes to the DPS limit, prescription charges, or age for free GP for children – the document describes them as the current state (GP up to 8 years, DPS €80). It announced, among other things, the extension of free contraception to age 37. Check gov.ie and citizensinformation.ie for details and deadlines.
Fact-Check Summary
- Definitely true: DPS limit €80/month; prescription charge with medical card €1.50 (max €15), 70+: €1 (max €10); emergency department without a referral €100, injury unit €75; daily hospital charge for public patients abolished on April 17, 2023; GP visit card without income assessment for children under 8 and individuals over 70; LCR 2% per year from age 35, max 70%, exemption when purchased within 9 months of moving.
- Probably true: income thresholds for GP visit card from November 2023 still apply (page edited October 13, 2026, but the HSE can change them at any time).
- What is uncertain: typical price of a GP visit (no official rate); detailed scope of free dental care for adults; effective dates for announcements from the 2027 budget.
- Common myth: “In Ireland, you pay a daily charge for every day in the hospital” – not anymore for public patients. “I pay PRSI, so the GP is free” – no, the card determines that.
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