What a medical card covers
Free GP visits
Unlimited GP consultations at no charge — including home visits and out-of-hours emergency calls.
Free prescriptions
All prescribed medicines on the approved list are free. You pay nothing at the pharmacy.
Free public hospital care
Inpatient and outpatient hospital treatment in public hospitals is free — no overnight charges, no A&E fees.
Dental, optical, and aural
Basic dental treatment, eye tests, and hearing services are covered. More complex treatments may have limits.
Free ambulance service
Emergency ambulance transport is covered under the medical card.
Maternity and infant care
Antenatal visits, maternity hospital care, and postnatal checks are all covered.
Medical card vs GP visit card
There are two cards. The medical card covers everything. The GP visit card only covers free GP visits — prescriptions and hospital care are still paid.
If your income is too high for a medical card but you still struggle with GP costs, you may qualify for a GP visit card instead.
Related medical card guides
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