GP and HSE registration
Finding a GP, getting on a panel, GMS card eligibility, and what to do if your GP is closed.
In Ireland you choose your own GP (family doctor) — there is no automatic assignment — and registering with one near you should be done before you need them, because many Dublin practices have waiting lists for new patients. Use the HSE's service finder at hse.ie to list practices near you, then phone and ask whether they are accepting new patients.
What does a GP visit cost? Without a medical card or GP visit card, a standard consultation is typically somewhere in the €50–80 range, set by each practice. GPs are the gateway to the rest of the system: hospital referrals, prescriptions and sick certs all start there.
Can I get free GP care? Two schemes matter: the medical card (means-tested, covers GP visits, prescriptions with a small charge, and hospital services) and the GP visit card (free GP visits only, with broader eligibility including all children under a certain age and income-based eligibility for adults). Check both on hse.ie — many working newcomers qualify for the GP visit card without realising.
What if I am an EU/EEA visitor or student? A European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from your home country covers necessary public healthcare during temporary stays. Once you are ordinarily resident in Ireland, you move onto the Irish system instead.
What about emergencies and out-of-hours? For emergencies call 999 or 112. For urgent-but-not-emergency care when your GP is closed, GP out-of-hours co-ops cover most areas. Hospital emergency departments charge a fee if you attend without a GP referral and without a medical card.
Do I need my PPS number? For the medical card and GP visit card, yes — one more reason to sort the PPS number early.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Last updated: August 2026. Sources: hse.ie (find a GP, medical cards, GP visit cards), citizensinformation.ie (Health services for visitors and new residents).