What the Medical Card covers
Free services with the Medical Card
- GP (family doctor) visits — unlimited, completely free
- Prescribed medications — free at the pharmacy
- Public hospital inpatient and outpatient care — free
- Basic dental care
- Eye tests and basic glasses
- Hearing services
- Ambulance service
- Maternity care
Why Ukrainians are automatically eligible
The Medical Card is normally means-tested — you need to show your income is below a weekly limit. For Ukrainians with Temporary Protection, the government has waived both the income test and the Habitual Residence Condition. This means you qualify regardless of income and regardless of how recently you arrived.
How to apply
Apply online at medicalcard.ie. You will need your PPS number, so get that first. The application takes about 15 minutes to complete online.
What you need for the application
- PPS number — yours and your children's
- IRP card number
- Irish address
- Date of birth
- Name of a GP you want to register with (you can search for GPs accepting new patients at hse.ie)
Children and the Medical Card
Children under 8 in Ireland are entitled to free GP care regardless of income through a separate scheme (GP visit card for under-8s). Ukrainian children under 8 are covered. For children aged 8–17, they are covered under your family Medical Card. At 18, children need to apply for their own Medical Card.
Dental and mental health care
Dental care
The Medical Card covers basic dental care — check-ups, extractions, and fillings. Find a Medical Card dentist at dentalcouncil.ie or ask at your GP surgery.
Mental health
If you or a family member is struggling with mental health — which is completely understandable given what many Ukrainians have been through — talk to your GP. They can refer you to HSE mental health services which are free with a Medical Card. The organisation Cairde (cairde.ie) also provides culturally sensitive mental health support.
More Temporary Protection Guides
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