You can apply for a GP visit card if you:
- are age 8 to 69
- live in Republic of Ireland or plan to live here for at least a year
- do not automatically qualify for one
People who automatically qualify
GP visit cards are not income tested if you are:
There is a separate registration process if you are in these groups. You do not need to meet a financial threshold to qualify.
GP visit cards for people age 8 to 69 are income tested.
This means we look at your income, personal circumstances and expenses to see if you qualify for one.
The only way to apply for this GP visit card is online.
You will need to provide your:
- PPS number
- date of birth
- income and expense details
- marital status
- details on any dependants you have
Financial thresholds
To get a GP visit card your weekly income must be below a certain financial threshold for your family size.
Your weekly income is based on your income, circumstances and certain expenses.
How we calculate your threshold
Your qualifying financial threshold is calculated by adding the following 3 amounts:
- A basic rate - an amount of money depending on your circumstances.
- The amount allocated for each dependant.
- The amount for allowable expenses.
The 3 amounts are added together to give you a qualifying financial threshold. This figure is the maximum amount you can earn as your net weekly income in order to qualify for a GP visit card.
Qualifying financial threshold
Basic rate amount + amount for dependants + allowable expenses = amount you can earn a week and qualify for a card
Example of qualifying financial thresholds
Example 1
Family GP visit card
Basic rate allowance
€524
Fixed amount applied to married couple/single parent families aged below 69 with two dependant children under 16
Dependants
€57 per child (€114)
Weekly rent payment
€276.92
Travel to work allowance
€14.40 for Mary, €28 for Patrick
Calculated based on petrol usage for Mary and weekly Leap Card fare for Patrick
Childcare Costs
€300
Qualifying financial threshold
€1257.32
If the couple has combined weekly net earnings of more than €961.82 but less than €1257.32 the family will qualify for a GP visit card.
Example 2
Martina is a single parent living in rented accommodation with her 11-year-old child. She pays €800 per month in rent.
Basic rate allowance
€524
Fixed amount applied to single parent
Dependants
€57
Weekly rent payment
€184.62
Travel to work allowance
€27
Calculated on distance travelled to work at 18c per kilometre.
Qualifying Financial threshold
€792.62
If Martina has weekly net earnings of €792.62 or below, she will qualify for a GP visit card.
Income, savings and assets
The types of income you should include in your application are:
- social welfare payments
- wages (take-home pay, after tax, PRSI and USC)
- pension
- income from savings and investments
- maintenance payments
- rental income from family home (for example a sub-let room)
- property other than the family home
You should also include income from royalties or payments under a settlement, covenant or from an estate.
If your only household income is a social welfare payment, you qualify for a medical card and should apply for that instead.
Allowable expenses
All allowable expenses help to increase the amount that you can earn and still qualify for a card.
The types of allowable expenses you should include in your application are:
- rent payments
- mortgage payments
- childcare costs
- travel to work costs
- maintenance payments
- net cost of private nursing home care
- mortgage protection premium
- life assurance for mortgage protection
No documents to include
You do not need to provide any documents with your application. But we may contact you at a later date and ask you for proof of your income and expenses.