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Apply for an EHIC

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) lets you get healthcare abroad for free, or at a reduced cost, if you're:

  • on holiday
  • on a short-term stay of no more than 3 months
  • under 23 and studying abroad - you'll be covered for the academic year

Mature students studying abroad are not covered under the Irish EHIC scheme.

Countries that accept an EHIC

You can use an EHIC in the EU, the EEA and Switzerland.

The EU countries are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

The EEA countries are Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

How to apply if you live in Ireland

You can apply for an EHIC if you’re living in Ireland and intend to live here for at least 1 year.

You can apply:

  • online - this is the quickest way to get an EHIC
  • by post or email

There is a temporary disruption to the production of physical plastic EHIC cards.

Instead of the usual plastic card, a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) will be issued to your online account. This provides the same entitlement to healthcare while abroad. This will be available in “Your Messages”.

If you are travelling abroad, print your Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) and bring it with you.

If you applied by posting a paper form, the Provisional Replacement Certificate will be posted to you. Bring this with you when you travel abroad. It will remain valid for 3 months.

Apply online

The quickest way to get an EHIC is to apply online.

Apply for an EHIC online
Apply by post or by email

To apply by post or email, download and complete the application form:

Include copies of the following for all applicants:

  • a photo ID - for example, your passport or driving licence
  • proof that you and anyone over 18 has been living in Ireland for the last 12 months - for example, a household bill or a letter from Revenue or Social Welfare

You also need to include a copy of 1 of the following for all applicants:

  • proof of your PPS number - for example, a recent payslip, a Public Services Card, a letter from Social Welfare or an Employment Detail Summary (the old P60)
  • a letter from the Department of Social Protection if you get any social insurance payments, such as illness benefit, disability allowance or the state pension
Information:

Do not send original documents in the post with your application form.

Send your completed application form and documents to us by post or email.

Post: EHIC Applications, PO Box 11745, Dublin 11

Email: PCRS.Applications@hse.ie

Urgent applications

If you are travelling abroad in the next 10 days and need your EHIC urgently, apply online.

Select the 'Travelling in less than 10 days' option. We will send you a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC). This is valid for 3 months. If you need help with an urgent application, contact us.

Apply as a family

Each family member needs their own EHIC.

You can apply for:

  • yourself
  • your partner
  • any dependent children under the age of 23

A parent or guardian has to apply for any child under the age of 18.

Any family member over age 18 can apply themselves either.

How to apply if you live outside Ireland

If you live in Northern Ireland but are employed in Ireland

If you live in Northern Ireland but are employed in Ireland you can get an Irish-issued EHIC.

Frontier workers

Frontier workers (or cross-border workers) can get an Irish-issued EHIC because they make social security contributions in Ireland. They have to return home at least once a week to qualify.

To apply you'll need:

  • your most recent payslip
  • a recent utility bill as proof of address

Apply online

Student dependants of frontier workers

You can get an Irish-issued EHIC if all of the following apply:

  • you’re age 17 to 23 years
  • you’re the dependant of a frontier worker
  • you’re studying in the EU, EEA or Switzerland

Apply online

If you live in another EU/EEA member state or Switzerland

If you live in the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you can get an Irish-issued EHIC if you:

  • receive a state pension from Ireland and have an Irish-issued E Form/S1 form (certificate of entitlement) registered in your country of residence
  • are a worker sent to work in another EU/EEA country or Switzerland by your Irish employer
  • are a frontier worker (cross-border worker) living in the EU/EEA and working in Ireland
  • are a family member of a posted worker or of someone working in Ireland and you are not covered in your own right by the EU/EEA country you live in

Apply online

Apply online if you live in the EU, EEA or Switzerland

You can apply online if you're:

  • an EU, EEA or Swiss resident living in Europe (not Ireland)
  • an Irish citizen or Irish pensioner living in the EU, EEA or Switzerland

To apply online you’ll need your: 

  • name
  • address
  • PPS number

You'll need the same details of any dependants you’re applying for.

Apply online

Information:

You should only use this online form if you live outside Ireland in another EU/EEA member state or Switzerland.

If you're not eligible for an Irish-issued EHIC, check if you're eligible for an EHIC in the country you live in.

If you're studying in the EU, EEA or Switzerland

You can get an EHIC when studying abroad if all of the following apply:

  • you’re age 18 to 23
  • you have been living in Ireland
  • you’re going to study in the EU, EEA or Switzerland

Apply online

You will need to provide a confirmation letter from the college stating the start date and end date of the academic year

Information:

Your card number and details will appear in the HSE Health App.

Download the HSE Health App

Back to European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)