Apply for an EHIC in Ireland

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) lets you get healthcare when abroad for free, or at a reduced cost.

You can use the card in any European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) country, or Switzerland.

It covers you if you're on holiday, or on a short-term stay of no more than 3 months. If you're studying abroad, you'll be covered for the academic year.

Each family member needs their own EHIC. The card is free and there's no charge to apply.

There are different ways to apply depending on if you:

• live in Ireland
• are employed in Ireland but live in Northern Ireland
• live in another EU/EEA member state, or Switzerland

You can also apply for a temporary card, if you need an EHIC urgently. Apply in person at your local health office.

If you live in Ireland

If you’re an Irish citizen or living in Ireland and intend to live here for at least 1 year you can apply:

• in person - visit your local health office
• by post - post a completed application form to your local EHIC office
• online - if you have a medical card or drugs payment scheme card

You will need to show proof that you live in Ireland, for example, a rent agreement or employment contract.

Download the EHIC application form (PDF, 102KB, 2 pages)

The card will be posted to your address within 10 working days after you apply.

Apply in person 

You can apply for an EHIC in person at your local health office. The Dublin North West office only accepts applications by post. The Dublin South, Kildare, West Wicklow and Cork South Lee offices only accept applications by post or online. 

To apply in person you’ll need to give your:

• name
• address
• date of birth
• PPS number

You also need to bring your passport or driving licence.

You may need to show proof of your PPS number. This could be on an Employment Detail Summary or a public services card (PSC).

Apply by post 

To apply by post you’ll need to:

• have an address in Ireland
• download and print an EHIC application form (PDF, 102KB, 2 pages)
• complete the form and post it to your local health office

Apply online 

You can apply for an EHIC online if you have a current medical card or drugs payment scheme card. 

Apply as a family

Each family member needs their own EHIC.

You can apply for:

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

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

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 (or cross-border workers) can get an Irish-issued EHIC because they make social security contributions in Ireland.

To apply you'll need:

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

Student dependants of frontier workers

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

• you’re aged 18 to 23 years
• you’re the dependant of a frontier worker
• you’re studying in the EU, EEA or Switzerland
• you have a completed School or College Details form (PDF, 1 page, 400kb)

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

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  

You can apply online if you are:

• 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 by post

To apply by post you’ll need to:

• download and print the application form (PDF, 298KB, 1 page)
• fill in the form and post it to the EU Regulations Office

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

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