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International visitors: seeing a GP in Ireland

Falling ill on holiday, a work trip or a family visit is stressful, especially in a health system you do not know. This guide explains how visitors can see a GP in Ireland, what it costs and where to get help.

Updated 7 November 2026 · 3 min read · By the AccessGP team

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.

Your options as a visitor

How you see a doctor in Ireland depends on where you are from and what you need.

  • A pharmacist is the quickest place to start for minor illness, and can tell you if you need a doctor. Since late 2025, pharmacists can also prescribe for some common conditions. Read how prescriptions work in Ireland.
  • A local GP practice may see you as a private patient. Practices set their own fees, so ask when you phone. Our guide to private GP costs in Ireland explains typical charges.
  • An online GP can be a practical option for problems that do not need an examination. Our guide to how online GP consultations work explains what to look for.

If you have an EHIC or GHIC

If you are visiting from another EU or EEA country or Switzerland, your European Health Insurance Card entitles you to necessary public healthcare during your stay. The HSE says you can see a GP who is part of its Primary Care Reimbursement Scheme free of charge, as a public patient, and pay a small charge for each prescription item. Not every practice takes part, so ask when you phone. An EHIC does not cover private care. If you live in the UK, your Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) works in a similar way in EU countries, including Ireland.

If you are visiting from outside the EU

You will usually pay for GP care privately. Check your travel insurance before you travel, keep every receipt, and ask the doctor for a written summary to support a claim.

Bringing medicines from home

  • Bring enough of your regular medicines for your whole trip, plus a few days spare.
  • Keep them in their original boxes, with a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor.
  • If you run out, a pharmacist can advise. A prescription-only medicine will need an Irish prescription, which means seeing a GP.
  • Some medicines, including some strong painkillers and ADHD medicines, are controlled drugs with extra legal rules. Check before you travel.

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 visitors. 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

Studying in Ireland rather than visiting? See our guide for international students in Ireland.

AccessGP is not an emergency service. In an emergency, call 112 or 999.

Frequently asked questions

Can a visitor see a GP in Ireland?

Yes. Many GP practices see visitors as private patients and charge a fee. Practices set their own prices, so ask when you phone. If you have an EHIC or a UK GHIC, you may be able to be seen as a public patient instead.

Does my EHIC cover a GP visit in Ireland?

If you are visiting from another EU or EEA country or Switzerland, the HSE says your EHIC lets you see a GP who is part of its Primary Care Reimbursement Scheme free of charge, as a public patient. It does not cover private care.

Will my travel insurance pay for a private GP?

Many policies refund private GP fees, but cover varies. Check your policy, keep every receipt and ask the doctor for a written summary to support a claim.

I have run out of my regular medicine. What should I do?

Speak to a local pharmacist first. Bring the box, label or a copy of your prescription. A pharmacist cannot dispense a prescription-only medicine without an Irish prescription, but they can advise. Otherwise, you will need to see a GP.

When is AccessGP launching in Ireland?

AccessGP is launching private online GP consultations in Ireland in the coming months. Until then, a local GP or pharmacist is the right place to go.

Sources and further reading

From AccessGP

Checked against official Irish sources. Last checked 7 November 2026.

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