Contraception is the use of medicines, devices or surgery to prevent pregnancy. It is also called birth control.
Free contraception is available in Ireland to women, girls, trans and non-binary people.
Most contraception is free under the Free Contraception Service. The service includes the morning-after pill.
Condoms are not free under this service, but you can get them free of charge through postal services or community venues.
How to get free contraception
Make an appointment with your GP or doctor to discuss your options for free contraception.
You do not need a medical card to access the Free Contraception Service.
To get free contraception, you need to:
- be age 17 to 35
- go to a GP or clinic that offers the service
- have a prescription - except for the morning-after pill which you can get without a prescription
You do not have to pay for the GP visit or prescription fees.
Most GPs participate in the Free Contraception Service. Check with your GP before making an appointment or asking for a prescription.
To register for the service
To register for the Free Contraception Service, give your GP your:
- name
- address - you need to live in Ireland
- date of birth
- PPSN
We need these details to confirm your age.
How to apply for a PPSN - citizensinformation.ie
If you do not have a GP
If you do not have a GP or do not want one, you can still get free contraception.
The service is also provided by:
- some family planning clinics
- women’s health clinics
- student health clinics
- health centres
What costs are covered
The costs covered under the Free Contraceptive Service include:
- GP or doctor appointments - to talk about contraception options and for repeat prescriptions when needed
- prescription fees from your GP or doctor for approved products
- your choice of contraception - from the list of free contraceptives
- fitting and removal of an implant or coil - these are also called intrauterine devices (IUDs) or intrauterine systems (IUSs)
- check-ups or other follow-up care needed, relating to your implant or coil
- emergency contraception (morning-after pill)
Types of free contraception
There are many types of contraception covered by the Free Contraception Service.
Talk to your GP or clinic about contraception. You may need to try different options to find what works best for you.
Download a contraception guide in plain English (PDF, 474 KB, 34 pages)
Download translated contraception guides
Short-acting contraceptives
Short-acting contraceptives come as a pill, patch or ring.
They include the:
- progesterone only (the mini pill) and combined contraceptive (the pill)
- contraceptive patch
- contraceptive ring
Long-acting reversible contraceptives
Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) include the:
- implant
- injection
- coil - these are also called IUDs and IUSs
The Yanae is the copper coil available for free under this service. It is not free for emergency contraception.
Emergency contraception
Emergency contraception can prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or if your contraception fails. For example, a condom slipped or you missed a pill.
There are 2 main types of contraception that can be used as emergency contraception:
- the copper coil
- the morning-after pill
The copper coil
The copper coil is not free as emergency contraception under this service. You will need to pay for the device. But the cost of the GP appointment and insertion is covered.
The morning-after pill
You can get the morning-after pill free of charge at a pharmacy offering the Free Contraception Service. You do not need a prescription.
Give your PPS number, name, address and date of birth to the pharmacy. We need these details to confirm your age.