When does a child get a medical card?
Under 6 — automatic entitlement
All children under 6 years of age in Ireland are entitled to a free GP visit card regardless of household income. This covers GP visits only — not prescriptions or hospital care.
Under 16 — medical card with parents
Children under 16 are automatically included on a parent or guardian's medical card if the parent qualifies. You don't apply separately for them.
Family income below the threshold
If the household income is within the means-test limits, all children are covered under the household medical card application.
Documents needed for a child
Child's PPS number
Every child must have their own PPS number included in the application.
Child's birth certificate
Required if applying separately for a child or if the child's relationship to the applicant isn't already established.
Children born in Ireland often already have a PPS numberCheck your child's birth registration paperwork — PPS numbers are often assigned automatically at birth in Irish hospitals.
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