Getting medical treatment in another Member State
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From: Department of Health
- Published on: 19 November 2020
- Last updated on: 22 April 2021
In certain circumstances, under EU law you have the right to arrange medical treatment, such as consultation with a specialist, surgery or treatment for a specific condition, in other EU countries. Before you do so, make sure you fully understand the extent of your rights and the procedures you need to follow.
European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) lets you get healthcare in another EU or European Economic Area (EEA) state for free, or at a reduced cost.
It covers you if you are on holiday, or on a short-term stay.
A short-term stay is generally accepted as for a period of less than 3 months. The exception to this is a student who may be considered a visitor on a short-term stay up to a full academic year.
EHIC replaces the old E111 form. You need one for each member of your family. It's free and there's no charge to apply.
There are different ways to apply depending on:
- if you live in Ireland
- if you live in another European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) member state, or Switzerland
Cross Border Directive
The Cross Border Directive (CBD) allows you to get healthcare in another EU or EEA member state.
You can access this healthcare in the same way you'd get public healthcare in Ireland.
The healthcare must be planned. You need a valid referral and you must qualify for the healthcare you want as a public patient in Ireland.
Once you go abroad, you must pay for any healthcare that you get. But under the CBD you can then apply to the HSE for reimbursement towards the cost of the healthcare.
You cannot claim reimbursement for:
- the cost of any medicine you'll need afterwards
- any travel costs
If you are having healthcare that involves an overnight stay in hospital, you can apply for prior authorisation before you go abroad.
Further information on getting healthcare abroad is available from the HSE.
Treatment Abroad Scheme
As a public patient, you can apply for the Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS) to cover the cost of treatment in another country in the European Union, European Economic Area or Switzerland.
All treatment requested must be within Irish law and either:
- not available in Ireland, or
- not available within the time normally necessary to get it in Ireland - this will take into account your current health and the likely course of your condition or disease
The amount that can be covered varies depending on the country where you get treatment and the treatment that you need. You can ask the hospital abroad how much you will need to pay.
Only a public hospital consultant based in Ireland can refer you for treatment abroad. A GP cannot refer you for this scheme. You cannot refer yourself either.
You can only apply for the Treatment Abroad Scheme if you are ordinarily resident in Ireland.
‘Ordinarily resident’ means that you are living in Ireland and intend to live in Ireland for at least one year.
Your application must be assessed and approved by the HSE before you travel for treatment.
Your consultant must confirm to the HSE that you need treatment abroad. They must also confirm that the treatment is:
- medically necessary and will meet your needs
- a proven form of medical treatment, not an experimental or test treatment
- in a recognised public hospital or other institution run by a registered medical practitioner
- in a hospital that will accept the Treatment Abroad Scheme form 'EU/EEA form E112 (IE)'
Information on applying for the Treatment Abroad Scheme is available from the HSE.
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