Health System in Ireland
Find out about the healthcare system and who is eligible to benefit...
Ireland's public health care system is delivered by the Health Service Executive (HSE). It is funded by general taxes and is available to all, but it is not free of charge to all Irish citizens and/or residents. Eligibility to free health care is based on residency and means rather than social insurance contributions or tax payments. Many residents in Ireland choose to take out private health insurance.
Eligibility
Anybody who is classed as an Ordinary Resident by the HSE is entitled to full eligibility health care (Category 1: medical card holders) or limited eligibility (Category 2). An Ordinary Resident is someone living in Ireland, or intending to remain for at least one year.
To meet the criteria to qualify as an Ordinary Resident and become eligible for publically funded health care, the following information must be provided:
- Proof of purchase or rental of property and evidence that this is the principal residence
- Evidence of transfer of funds, bank accounts, pensions and so on
- A residence permit or visa and/or a work permit or visa
- The applicant may have to sign a sworn statement (affidavit)
Although a non-EU national may establish eligibility for health services as an Ordinary Resident, their dependants are not automatically entitled to the same cover.