Information for non-residents & non nationals

To qualify for free medical health care, you must produce proof of one of the following on your first antenatal appointment:

  1. Proof that you have been Ordinarily Resident in Ireland for the last year or more (P60, Rent Book, Letter from Employer)

  2. Provide a Medical Card to the hospital so that we can obtain the Number and Expiry Date.

  3. Photographic ID and your PPS number.

What happens if I am from Romania or Bulgaria?

You must produce a current valid Work Permit issued by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment or you must produce your current valid Garda National Immigration Bureau Card (GNIB) or your old Garda National Immigration Bureau Card if resident in Ireland previous to 2007.

Please bring your GNIB card with you to the hospital so that we can obtain the Number and Expiry Date.

If instead you have a valid Medical Card, please bring the card with you to the hospital so that we can obtain the Number and Expiry Date.

If you do not have any of these documents, please apply immediately to the HSE for a Medical Card.

If you fail to produce any of these documents, you will be required to pay a deposit of €1650.00 on your first antenatal visit to cover your maternity care prior to your admission to hospital.

What happens if I am from another country?

You must produce your current Garda National Immigration Bureau Card. Please bring your GNIB card with you to the hospital so that we can obtain the Number and Expiry Date or you must produce a valid Medical Card or valid Student Card, with a letter from your college.

Please bring your Medical Card or Student Card to the hospital so that we can obtain the Number and Expiry Date.

If you do not have any of these documents, you will be required to pay a deposit of €1650.00 to cover your maternity care on your first ante natal visit to the hospital.

Please be aware that failure to produce any of these documents will result in charges for your care and all invoices must be paid in full when leaving the hospital.

What if I am visiting Ireland from abroad?

EU citizens who need urgent public hospital treatment whilst visiting Ireland will not have to pay hospital charges once they are able to produce their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and matching identification.

If you are an EU national and you are coming to Ireland temporarily, you should apply for a European Health Insurance Card before you leave your home country. This will enable you to receive emergency healthcare in a public hospital if you need it during your temporary stay in this country. If you start working in Ireland, you will be treated as 'ordinarily resident' for healthcare purposes, and although you may not have to show your EHIC, we advise you to keep it, in case you are required to produce it.

Citizens of EU or non EU countries who travel to Ireland specifically for healthcare services are charged an Economic Rate, which is subject to change.