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Apply for an EHIC

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) lets you get healthcare abroad for free, or at a reduced cost, if you're:

  • on holiday
  • on a short-term stay of no more than 3 months
  • studying abroad - you'll be covered for the academic year
Countries that accept an EHIC

You can use an EHIC in the EU, the EEA and Switzerland.

The EU countries are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

The EEA countries are Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

How to apply if you live in Ireland

You can apply for an EHIC if you’re living in Ireland and intend to live here for at least 1 year.

You can apply:

  • in person - visit your local public EHIC office
  • online - if you have a medical card or Drugs Payment Scheme card
  • by post - if you live in Dublin North West, Cork North & South Lee or Kilcock
Apply in person

You can apply for an EHIC in person at any local health office except:

  • Dublin North West
  • Cork North & South Lee
  • Kilcock

To apply in person you will need to download the:

Complete the form and bring it to your local public EHIC office along with both of the following:

  • a photo ID - for example, your passport or driving licence
  • proof that you live in Ireland - for example, a rent agreement or an employment contract

You will also need to show 1 of the following:

  • proof of your PPS number - for example, a recent payslip, a Public Services Card or an Employment Detail Summary (the old P60)
  • a letter from the Department of Social Protection if you get any social insurance payments, such as illness benefit, disability allowance or the state pension
Apply online

You can only apply online if you have a medical card or Drugs Payment Scheme card.

Apply online

Contact your local health office if you’re having trouble applying online.

Apply by post

You can only apply by post to:

  • Dublin North West
  • Cork North & South Lee
  • Kilcock

If you live in 1 of these areas, download the:

Complete the form and post it along with copies of both of the following:

  • a photo ID - for example, your passport or driving licence
  • proof that you live in Ireland - for example, a rent agreement or an employment contract

You also need to include a copy of 1 of the following:

  • proof of your PPS number - for example, a recent payslip, a Public Services Card or an Employment Detail Summary (the old P60)
  • a letter from the Department of Social Protection if you get any social insurance payments, such as illness benefit, disability allowance or the state pension
Information:

Do not send original documents with your application form.

Important

Your card will be posted to you within 10 working days of applying. If you need an EHIC urgently, you can get a temporary replacement certificate in person at your local public EHIC office.

Apply as a family

Each family member needs their own EHIC.

You can apply for:

  • yourself
  • your partner
  • any dependent children under the age of 16

A parent or guardian has to apply for any child under the age of 16.

How to apply if you live outside Ireland

If you live in Northern Ireland but are employed in Ireland

If you live in Northern Ireland but are employed in Ireland you can get an Irish-issued EHIC.

Frontier workers

Frontier workers (or cross-border workers) can get an Irish-issued EHIC because they make social security contributions in Ireland. They have to return home at least once a week to qualify.

To apply you'll need:

  • your most recent payslip
  • a recent utility bill as proof of address

Apply as a frontier worker

Student dependants of frontier workers

You can get an Irish-issued EHIC if all of the following apply:

Ask your school or college to complete the form before you begin your EHIC application.

Apply as a student

If you live in another EU/EEA member state or Switzerland

If you live in the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you can get an Irish-issued EHIC if you:

  • receive a state pension from Ireland and have an Irish-issued E Form/S1 form (certificate of entitlement) registered in your country of residence
  • are a worker sent to work in another EU/EEA country or Switzerland by your Irish employer
  • are a frontier worker (cross-border worker) living in the EU/EEA and working in Ireland
  • are a family member of a posted worker or of someone working in Ireland and you are not covered in your own right by the EU/EEA country you live in

You can apply online or by post. 

Apply online if you live in the EU, EEA or Switzerland

You can apply online if you're:

  • an EU, EEA or Swiss resident living in Europe (not Ireland)
  • an Irish citizen or Irish pensioner living in the EU, EEA or Switzerland

To apply online you’ll need your: 

  • name
  • address
  • PPS number

You'll need the same details of any dependants you’re applying for.

Apply online

Information:

You should only use this online form if you live outside Ireland in another EU/EEA member state or Switzerland.

Apply by post if you live in the EU, EEA or Switzerland

To apply by post you’ll need to:

EU Regulations Office,
HSE,
North West Wing,
St. Joseph's Health Campus,
Mulgrave Street,
Limerick,
Ireland

Information:

You should only use this address if you live outside Ireland in another EU/EEA member state or Switzerland.

If you're not eligible for an Irish-issued EHIC, check if you're eligible for an EHIC in the country you live in.

If you're studying in the EU, EEA or Switzerland

You can get an EHIC when studying abroad if all of the following apply:

  • you’re age 18 to 23
  • you have been living in Ireland
  • you’re going to study in the EU, EEA or Switzerland

Apply by emailing ehicapplication@hse.ie.

Attach both of the following as PDFs:

Page last reviewed: 28 June 2023
Next review due: 28 June 2026

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