The standard of care in state hospitals in Ireland is generally very good, although you can be in for a long wait once you get there. Anyone who is ordinarily resident in Ireland is entitled to free outpatient public hospital services, with the exception of A&E charges which will cost you €60. ‘Ordinary residency’ is generally understood to mean that you intend living in Ireland for at least a year, and it includes students who are taking a course of a minimum of one year’s duration. You may be asked to prove this by producing an employment contract, a lease on rented property or proof of mortgage. If you are referred to the hospital by your GP for outpatient, accident and emergency treatment you will not have to pay a fee.

Inpatient hospital care is charged at €60 per day and this up to a ceiling of €600 in a 12 month period. Medical card holders are covered for both GP visits and for hospital care in a public hospital and are entitled to free pharmacy prescriptions. EU citizens who hold a valid European health insurance card are entitled to the same benefits as Irish medical card holders and can use these cards when they first arrive. Most people choose to take out private health insurance.