Ireland

If you need to see a doctor, contact a general practitioner (GP) who has a contract with the Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS). Most GPs in Ireland are contracted. At the clinic, state that you would like to receive treatment under EU regulations, and show your European Health Insurance Card and proof of identity. In such cases, treatment is free of charge.

If a PCRS-contracted doctor prescribes medication using a special prescription form, you can collect the medicine from a pharmacy free of charge. Please note that not all medicines are available free of charge.

You can see a specialist if you have a general practitioner’s referral. If a GP provides a referral, say that you want to be treated by a specialist as a public patient. In this case, the treatment is free of charge.

In Ireland, many specialists see both private and public sector patients. You can see a specialist as a private patient, but you must pay for the treatment yourself.

GPs have specific opening hours, which vary depending on the doctor. If you need treatment outside of these hours, you can find the contact information for the on-call doctor in your area, for example, by listening to the information provided on the doctor´s answering service.

Emergency dental treatment for the relief of pain and urgent denture repairs is available from a PCRS-contracted dentist through the Local Health Office. You can also obtain other necessary treatment at a Health Office dental clinic. When you go for treatment, present your European Health Insurance Card and your ID.

In emergencies, you should check in advance whether the dentist you choose provides treatment under EU regulations.

Contact your Local Health Office or health centre for information about contracted dentists and Local Health Office clinics. You can find a list of Local Health Offices in Ireland on the Health Service Executive (HSE) website.

You can collect medicines prescribed by a doctor from a pharmacy on presentation of a prescription. Most pharmacies in Ireland have an agreement with the Health Service Executive (HSE) or the Primary Care Reimbursement Scheme (PCRS).

Please show your European Health Insurance Card when presenting your prescription to ensure you are not charged. Prescriptions are valid for 6 months.

You can access hospital treatment with a referral from a GP or specialist contracted under the PCRS scheme. In this case, you are treated as a public patient and receive outpatient or inpatient care free of charge.

If you need urgent hospital treatment, you can go directly to the Accident and Emergency department of any public hospital. Present your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) upon arrival to receive treatment free of charge.

If your illness requires special transport back to Finland, you will be responsible for the full cost of the journey. It is recommended that you take out travel insurance that covers such expenses.

Remember to make sure that your patient data is transferred between countries. You can provide those responsible for your follow-up care or your health centre with the patient records concerning the treatment you received abroad. If the patient records need to be translated, you will be responsible for arranging that yourself.

In the event of a treatment injury, the legislation and patient insurance of the country providing the care always apply. If you are dissatisfied with the treatment you received, you should primarily try to resolve the matter directly with the healthcare provider.

If you wish to file a complaint, Ireland’s National Contact Point can help you find the right authority.

The Irish healthcare system is a public system funded through general taxation. The Health Service Executive (HSE) is responsible for delivering and funding public healthcare services in Ireland on behalf of the Department of Health. Public healthcare is currently organised into acute hospital services, mental health services, and primary care (including community healthcare).

Ireland also has a private healthcare sector. Private healthcare providers charge for services at commercial reates and are not part of the public system. Dental care in Ireland is primarily provided by private healthcare providers.