Healthcare in Ireland is modern, safe, and considered by many to be among the best in the world. If you live in Ireland, you usually qualify for subsidised public health services funded by the government.
Ireland's two-tier system means you can choose to use either the government-funded public healthcare system or the private system, for which fees must be paid in full.
Public healthcare in Ireland
The standard of public healthcare in Ireland is high. Public hospitals are either owned and funded by the Health Service Executive (HSE) or are voluntary public hospitals that may be privately operated but are funded by the government. Some notable public hospitals include St. James's Hospital and Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.
The public system provides high-quality care comparable to private hospitals but is often overbooked. You can access publicly funded healthcare if you are classified as 'ordinarily resident' in Ireland. To be ordinarily resident, you need to have lived in Ireland for one year or be able to prove your intention of staying for one year or more.
Public healthcare in Ireland is heavily subsidised, but isn't entirely free. Patients without a Medical Card may have to pay subsidised fees based on income, age, illness, or disability. For instance, there's a EUR 100 charge for visiting emergency departments without a GP referral, though recent reforms have abolished many inpatient and day-service fees.
Useful links
- Citizens Information: Health System in Ireland
- Government of Ireland Department of Health Information
- HSE Website
Private healthcare in Ireland
Private hospitals in Ireland operate independently of the state, requiring patients to cover the full cost of treatment. Costs for common procedures can vary significantly. Negotiating a healthcare allowance with your employer is recommended to ensure your salary can cover the cost of private health insurance.
Compared to other EU countries, private healthcare in Ireland tends to be pricier. Despite the higher costs, private healthcare offers faster access to treatment, avoiding the long waiting lists of the public system. The quality of care is generally high, with private hospitals often providing more luxurious facilities and amenities.
Many employers offer private health insurance as a fully or partially subsidised benefit. This perk can include dental and optical coverage, health screenings, wellness programmes, and mental health support.
Private healthcare is also available in public hospitals through private beds. Choosing private care in a public hospital offers faster treatment, access to private rooms, choice of consultant and shorter waiting times for elective procedures. However, you will still receive care from the same medical staff as public patients and may incur additional costs depending on your insurance coverage.
Health insurance in Ireland
Despite the availability of subsidised treatment, many citizens and expats opt for private health insurance in Ireland. This allows you to receive immediate treatment and access additional services, like private hospital rooms and specialist care. Check if Irish private hospitals accept an overseas provider before signing up. Many employers offer private health insurance as a benefit, so it's worth negotiating this into your employment package.
If you don't qualify for subsidised care and the associated Medical Card, there are other options for free or low-cost care. The GP Visit Card, for instance, covers GP visits and out-of-hours services. To qualify, your income must be below certain thresholds. Cover is always available to specific groups, like children under eight or those over the age of 70. The Long-Term Illness Scheme offers free drugs and medical appliances for more than 15 specific conditions, requiring only a diagnosis.
Useful links
Pharmacies and medicines in Ireland
Pharmacies are widely available in Irish towns and cities. In urban areas, many pharmacies stay open late, with some Lloyds Pharmacy locations open until 10pm. In rural areas, pharmacies typically close early in the evening and may have limited weekend hours.
Medical Card holders benefit from heavily subsidised prescription medicines. When picking up your meds, you'll only need to pay a small copayment of a few euros per item. If you are ordinarily resident in Ireland, you can apply for the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS). This scheme ensures you pay at most a set amount per month for approved medications, with the government covering any additional costs.
Useful links
Vaccinations for Ireland
Routine vaccinations are recommended for everyone in Ireland, including measles-mumps-rubella, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella and polio. Flu shots are also recommended.
Vaccines are free for all children, at-risk adults, and Medical Card holders. You can get vaccinated at pharmacies, doctors' offices and vaccination clinics. There's no specific vaccination programme for new residents, but expats have the same access to vaccines as Irish citizens.
Useful links
Emergency medical services in Ireland
Most hospitals in Ireland have Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments for serious emergencies. You can dial 999 or 112 for an ambulance in an emergency. Patients without a Medical Card may be charged for A&E services.