All you need to know about
health insurance in Ireland

Mutual insurance in Ireland: understanding the healthcare system

Ireland has a publicly-funded healthcare system managed by the Health Service Executive (HSE). Accessible to residents, including expatriates who choose to live in Ireland. However, waiting times can be long. To benefit from faster access to care and greater flexibility in their choice of providers, many expatriates opt for a mutuelle in Ireland, offering them health cover tailored to their needs.

Levels of HSE cover

The HSE offers two levels of cover:

• Full eligibility: If you are on a modest income, you can benefit from the Medical Card, which gives you free access to a number of essential treatments: GP consultations, maternity care, as well as certain dental and ophthalmological treatments. In Ireland, around 30% of the population benefits from the Medical Card. Priority is given to children under 6, people over 70 and low-income households.
• Partial eligibility: If you are not eligible for the Medical Card, you can still benefit from the GP Visit Card. This gives you free access to consultations with a general practitioner. However, you will still have to pay for other care (hospitalization, medication, specialist care), although you may be eligible for some cost-cutting assistance.

Cost of medical care in Ireland

The cost of medical care in Ireland is generally higher than in France, which may come as a surprise to expatriates moving here. For example, a consultation with a general practitioner costs between €30 and €65, while a consultation with a specialist can easily reach €150. If hospitalization is necessary, the rate for a shared room in a public hospital is €80 per night, with an annual ceiling of €800. Faced with these costs, taking out a mutual insurance policy in Ireland means you can better anticipate these expenses and access care with complete peace of mind.

The importance of private health insurance

Because of the high cost of care and waiting times in the public sector, around 40% of the Irish population take out private health insurance. Private health insurance offers a number of advantages.

• Faster care: In the private sector, waiting times are often much shorter, so you don’t have to wait several months to see a specialist.
• Choice of doctor: A mutuelle gives you greater freedom to select the healthcare professionals and facilities that suit you best.
• More comprehensive coverage: Some private insurers offer additional benefits, such as dental and optical care. These costs are generally only partially covered by the Irish public system.

Health insurance options for expatriates

Expatriates in Ireland have several options for their health cover:

• HSE membership: After residing in Ireland for at least one year, expatriates can join the HSE by applying for a Personal Public Service (PPS) number and registering with their local health office.
• Local private health insurance: Expatriates can take out health insurance with an Irish company. However, these policies generally only cover treatment received in Ireland.
• International health insurance: An alternative is to take out international health insurance, which provides cover not only in Ireland, but also during stays in other countries, including the expatriate’s home country. Compare offers on Santexpat.fr.

Expatriate health insurance for living in Ireland

Moving to Ireland as an expatriate means understanding how the healthcare system works. While the HSE offers basic coverage, it does not cover all expenses, and waiting times can be long. To avoid unpleasant surprises and gain faster access to care, taking out a mutual insurance policy in Ireland or international health insurance can be an essential solution. This allows you to control your healthcare budget while benefiting from care tailored to your needs.