This guide is general information about healthcare in Ireland. It is not a substitute for advice from a doctor who has assessed you. In an emergency, call 112 or 999.
Start with your student health service
Most universities and colleges in Ireland have a student health service with doctors and nurses who look after students every day. It is usually the best place for ongoing care during term, and often costs less than a private GP. Register with it early, before you need it.
If you are staying in Ireland for a while, registering with a local GP practice is also worth doing. Some practices are not taking new patients, so ask around early. The HSE has a GP finder.
Other places to get help
- A pharmacist can advise on minor illness and, for some common conditions, prescribe. Read how prescriptions work in Ireland.
- A private GP can see you if you cannot wait for the student health service. Our guide to private GP costs in Ireland explains typical fees.
- An online GP can help with problems that do not need an examination. See how online GP consultations work.
Health insurance
Students from outside the EU and EEA are generally required to hold private medical insurance as a condition of their immigration permission. Check what your policy covers, including GP visits and prescriptions, and keep every receipt. Students from the EU and EEA can usually use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for necessary public healthcare. Your college’s international office can help with the details.
Medical certificates for college
If illness means missing an exam, a deadline or placement, you will usually need a medical certificate. Check your college’s rules first: many set a deadline for submitting it. A doctor can only certify what they have assessed, so get seen while you are unwell. See getting a sick cert in Ireland.
Looking after your mental health
Moving country is a big change, and stress, homesickness, low mood and poor sleep are common. Your college counselling service is free for students. You can also text 50808 at any time for free, anonymous support. Our UK doctors have written about mental health in plain English.
AccessGP is coming to Ireland
AccessGP is a private online GP service founded in 2025 by Dr Zamiel Hussain and rated 5.0 by patients in England, where we already support international students. In the coming months, we are bringing private video and phone GP consultations to Ireland, with experienced UK-trained GPs, time to talk and clear prices. Until then, use the options above.
Useful guides
- How online GP consultations work in Ireland
- How prescriptions work in Ireland
- Private GP costs in Ireland
- Getting a sick cert in Ireland
- UTI symptoms: when to see a GP and sore throat: when to see a GP
Visiting Ireland rather than studying here? See our guide for international visitors in Ireland.
AccessGP is not an emergency service. In an emergency, call 112 or 999.
Frequently asked questions
Where should an international student go first for a GP?
Your college's student health service is usually the best first stop. It understands student life, often costs less than a private GP and can register you for ongoing care. If you are staying for a while, registering with a local GP practice is also worth doing.
Do international students need health insurance in Ireland?
Students from outside the EU and EEA are generally required to hold private medical insurance as a condition of their immigration permission. Check the current rules with Irish Immigration Service Delivery and your college's international office. EU and EEA students can usually use their EHIC for necessary public care.
Can I get a medical certificate for a missed exam?
Yes, if a doctor assesses you and agrees you were unwell. Check your college's rules first, including how soon after the illness the certificate must be submitted. See our guide to getting a sick cert in Ireland.
Where can I get support for stress or low mood?
Your college counselling service is free for students. You can also text 50808 at any time for free, anonymous support. If you are at immediate risk of harming yourself, call 112 or 999.
When is AccessGP launching in Ireland?
AccessGP is launching private online GP consultations in Ireland in the coming months. Until then, your student health service or a local GP is the right place to go.
Sources and further reading
- HSE – Find a GP
- HSE – Using your EHIC when visiting Ireland
- Irish Immigration Service Delivery
- HSE – When to go to a GP out of hours
From AccessGP
- Private GP for international students in England (AccessGP UK)
- Mental health explained: AccessGP knowledge base
Checked against official Irish sources. Last checked 7 November 2026.