24 June 2009
European health Insurance Card

Getting necessary healthcare in other EU / EEA countries

As an Irish resident you are entitled to get healthcare through the public system in countries of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland if you become ill or injured while on a temporary stay there.

Until no

The Card will be introduced from 1 June 2004. It means that you can get necessary healthcare in the public system of any EU / EEA country or Switzerland, if you become ill or injured while on a temporary stay in that country.

Apply for the European Health Insurance Card if you:

Plan to go on holiday to another EU / EEA country or Switzerland
Regularly visit any of these countries, for example, on business, as a transport worker or for leisure
Plan to go to any of these countries to seek work
Are being sent by your employer to work in any of these countries temporarily but will continue to pay tax in Ireland
Intend to undertake a course of study in any of these countries but still consider yourself as ordinarily resident in Ireland
Intend to visit any of these countries for any other type of temporary stay where healthcare in itself is not the aim of the visit
Travelling to Great Britain or Northern Ireland

You don’t need a European Health Insurance Card to get necessary healthcare while on a temporary visit to the UK. It is enough to show proof that you are ordinarily resident in Ireland – in practice, this means a driving licence, passport or similar document.

Contact your local Health Board for additional information