gp visit card scheme

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General GP visit card

You can apply for a GP visit card if you:

• are age 8 to 69
• live in the Republic of Ireland or plan to live here for at least a year

GP visit cards for people age 8 to 69 are means tested.

This means we look at your income, personal circumstances and expenses to see if you qualify.

Not just about your salary

It's possible that you may qualify for a GP visit card even if the amount of money you earn is high.

If your expenses are also high, you could still qualify.

Examples of people who qualify

How to apply for a GP visit card

The only way to apply for this GP visit card is online.

You will need to provide your:

• date of birth
• income and expense details
• marital status
• details on any children dependent on you

You automatically qualify for a GP visit card if you live in Ireland and are:

• over 70 years old
• under 8 years old
• getting Carer’s Benefit or Carer’s Allowance

It does not matter what your income is - you do not need to apply.

But you do need to register. There is a separate registration process if you are in these groups.

How we work out if you qualify

To work out if you qualify for a GP visit card we look at your:

• personal circumstances, such as if you are married, your living situation and if you have any children dependent on you
• certain expenses
• if your income after expenses is below a certain financial threshold for your family size

If you get a Government allowance or grant towards any of your allowable expenses, you cannot count the overall amount as an expense. You can only count your contribution.

For example, you may have childcare costs of €800 per month. You claim €240 through the National Childcare Scheme. This means the amount you pay is €560. This is the amount you can claim as an expense in your application.

How we calculate your financial threshold

To get a GP visit card your net weekly income, after your expenses, must be below a qualifying financial threshold.

This qualifying financial threshold is unique to you.

We calculate it by adding the following 3 amounts:

• A basic rate - an amount of money depending on your circumstances.
• An amount for each dependant.
• Your allowable expenses.

The total is known as your weekly qualifying financial threshold.

You will qualify for a GP visit card if your net weekly income is less than this amount. Net income is your weekly income after tax, PRSI and USC.

Qualifying financial threshold

Basic rate amount + amount for dependants + allowable expenses = amount you can earn a week and qualify for a card

The basic rate is a fixed amount. It is determined by your marital status, living situation and if you have any children.

The basic rates are:

• Single person living alone age 69 and under: €418
• Single person living with family: €373
• Married or co-habiting couple with or without children dependent on them: €607
• Single parent: €607

These basic rates do not apply to the GP visit card for over 70s, carers or under 8s.

Additional rates for dependants are:

• First two children under 16 financially dependent on applicant: €57
• Third and subsequent children under 16 financially dependent on applicant: €61.50
• First two children over 16 financially dependent on applicant: €58.50
• Third and subsequent children over 16 financially dependent on applicant: €64
• A dependent child over 16 who is in full time 3rd level education, not grant aided: €117

Examples of qualifying financial thresholds

Barry and Mary have 2 children under the age of 16. Their combined monthly income after tax is €5,450.

Their expenses include:

• mortgage payment of €1,200 a month
• mortgage protection of €52 per month
• childcare costs of €1472 per month

Basic rate allowance

This is the fixed amount for married couple and single parent families age 69 and under with 2 dependant children under 16.

Dependants allowance

This is based on a rate of €57 for each dependant child under 16.

Weekly mortgage payment

This was calculated by multiplying their monthly mortgage payment (€1,200) by 12 (to get yearly figure) and dividing by 52 (to get weekly).

Weekly mortgage protection cost

This was calculated by multiplying their monthly payment (€52) by 12 (to get yearly figure) and dividing by 52 (to get weekly).

Weekly travel to work costs

€14.40 for Mary, €28 for Patrick

Calculated based on petrol usage for Mary to go to work and weekly Leap Card fare for Patrick to get to work.

Weekly childcare costs

This was calculated by multiplying their monthly payment (€1472) by 12 (to get yearly figure) and dividing by 52 (to get weekly).

This gave a weekly childcare cost of €339.69.

But they also receive €126 a week towards their childcare costs through the National Childcare Scheme (NCS). This amount is deducted to give them a weekly expense of €213.69

This total is their qualifying financial threshold. It was calculated by adding up their basic rate, allowances for dependants and their various allowable weekly expenses.

Qualifying financial threshold means that if the couple has combined weekly net income of €1,266.01 or less, the family will qualify for a GP visit card.

Net income is your weekly income (earnings) once tax, PRSI and USC have been deducted.

Barry, Mary and their children qualify for a GP visit card. Their net weekly income is €1,257.69.

This was calculated by multiplying their monthly income (€5,450) by 12 (to get yearly figure) and dividing by 52 (to get weekly).

Their net income (€1,257.69) is less than their qualifying financial threshold (€1,266.01). This means that they qualify.

Yan is a single parent living in rented accommodation with her 11-year-old child. She pays €800 per month in rent. Her monthly income after taxes is €3,550.

This is a fixed amount for a single parent.

Weekly rent payment

This was calculated by multiplying her monthly rent (€800) by 12 (to get yearly figure) and dividing by 52 (to get weekly).

Travel to work allowance

Calculated on distance travelled to work at 18c per kilometre.

This total is Yan's qualifying financial threshold. It was calculated by adding up her basic rate, allowances for dependants and her various allowable weekly expenses.

This means if she has a weekly net income of less than €875.62, she will qualify for a GP visit card.

Yan qualifies for a GP visit card. Her net weekly income is €819.23.

This was calculated by multiplying their monthly income (€3,550) by 12 (to get yearly figure) and dividing by 52 (to get weekly).

Her net income (€819.23) is less than her qualifying financial threshold (€875.62). This means that she qualifies.

Income, savings and assets

The types of income you should include in your application are:

• social welfare payments
• wages (take-home pay, after tax, PRSI and USC)
• income from savings and investments
• maintenance payments
• rental income from family home (for example a sub-let room)
• property other than the family home

You should also include income from royalties or payments under a settlement, covenant or from an estate.

If your only household income is a social welfare payment, you qualify for a medical card and should apply for that instead.

Savings, investments and property

We look at your savings, investments and property, other than your family home. If they are over a certain amount, we include them as part of your weekly income.

Single person

If you are single, we do not assess the first €36,000 of your savings, investments or property.

For the next:

• €36,001 to €46,000 - we add €1 to your weekly income for every €1,000
• €46,001 to €56,000 - we add €2 to your weekly income for every €1,000
• more than €56,000 - we add €4 to your weekly income for every €1,000

If you have savings of €50,000, your weekly income from them would be €18.

We get this by adding:

• €0 for your first €36,000
• €10 for your next €10,000 in savings - we add €1 for every €1,000 between €36,001 to €46,000
• €8 for your next €4,000 in savings - we add €2 for every €1,000 between €46,001 to €56,000

If you are a couple, we do not assess the first €72,000 of your savings, investments or property.

• €72,001 to €82,000 - we add €1 to your weekly income for every €1,000
• €82,001 to €92,000 - we add €2 to your weekly income for every €1,000
• more than €92,000 - we add €4 to your weekly income for every €1,000

If you have savings of €150,000, we do not assess your first €72,000 of savings.

Your weekly income from them would be €262.

• €0 for your first €72,000
• €10 for your next €10,000 – we add €1 for every €1000 between €72,001 to €82,000
• €20 for your next €10,000 – we add €2 for every €1000 between €82,001 to €92,000
• €232 for your next €58,000 – we add €4 for every €1000 over €92,001

Allowable expenses

All allowable expenses help to increase the amount that you can earn and still qualify for a card.

The types of allowable expenses you should include in your application are:

• rent payments
• mortgage payments
• childcare costs
• travel to work costs
• net cost of private nursing home care
• mortgage protection payment
• life assurance for mortgage protection

No documents to include

You do not need to provide any documents with your application. But we may contact you at a later date and ask you for proof of your income and expenses.

Page last reviewed: 10 November 2023 Next review due: 10 September 2026

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HSE encourages people to apply for the GP visit Card online

HSE Press Release

Monday, 13 November 2023

The HSE is encouraging all those who may be eligible to apply online via  hse.ie/gpvisitcards  following the announcement by Minster for Health Stephen Donnelly TD.

Encouraging those eligible to apply for a card Shaun Flanagan, HSE Assistant National Director, Primary Care Reimbursement Service said:   “The HSE would encourage all those who think they may be eligible to apply. It’s important to remember that you could quality even if the amount of money you earn is high and if your expenses are also high. Your application will be means tested and you will be asked to self-declare your income and allowable outgoings.

“When you apply, you should have you PPSN number, income and expense details, marital status, DOB (date of birth) and details on any children dependent on you to make it easier for you. Remember the quickest and easiest way to apply for a GP visit card is  online .

“GP visit cards allow the holders to access GP care without charges. If you have a GP visit card, you don't have to pay to see your doctor, but you will have to pay for medicines and other services.”

People can apply for a GP visit card if they are age 8 to 69, live in the Republic of Ireland or plan to live here for at least a year, and will be income tested. This means we look at a person’s income, personal circumstances and expenses to see if they qualify.

The HSE operates random and targeted control processes to ensure that only those who qualify receive means tested GP visit cards. You may be asked to produce supporting documentation to process your application.

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GP visit cards for children under 8

What is the gp visit card for children, what is covered by the gp visit card for children, can my child get a free gp visit card, how to apply for a gp visit card for children.

If your child is under the age of 8, you can get a GP visit card for them. With the GP visit card, your child can visit a participating GP (family doctor) for free and get free specific assessments (see ‘What is covered’ below).

Children aged 6 and 7 now qualify

The GP visit card for children was initially only available for children under the age of 6. On 11 August 2023, it was extended to children who are 6 and 7. If your child is 6 or 7, you can register online for a GP visit card for them.

If your child turned 6 after 1 July 2023, their GP visit card will be extended automatically by the HSE and you do not need to register again.

Medical cards

If your child already has a medical card , you do not need to register them for a GP visit card. If your family circumstances change and you are no longer eligible for medical cards, you can then register your child for a GP visit card for children under 8.

Free GP visits include visits to the doctor, home visits and out-of-hours urgent GP visits for your child.

Free medical assessments for children aged 2 and 5

If your child has a GP visit card, they can get free medical assessments when they are aged 2 and 5. These are preventive checks that include charting your child’s age, weight and height, and taking any appropriate follow-up actions.

Checks for children with asthma

If your child has asthma, they will get free asthma checks and their medication reviewed, to make sure that they are using their inhalers correctly. You will also get a written plan to help you manage your child’s asthma.

Children over 2 will get their first free asthma check when they are diagnosed. The second check is arranged 3 months after their first check.

Your child’s asthma will be checked for free every year until they are 8.

What is not covered by the GP visit card for children under 8?

The GP visit card does not cover medicines or hospital care .

However, all in-patient hospital services are free for children under 16 in all public hospitals. Read more about hospital charges for children.

If you have a Drugs Payment Scheme card , you and your family only have to pay a maximum of €80 each month for drugs and medicines. This includes the medicines your child may be prescribed.

Your child can get a free GP visit card if they are:

• Aged under 8 years
• Ordinarily resident in Ireland

‘Ordinarily resident’ means your child currently lives in Ireland and intends to live in Ireland for at least one year.

When does the GP visit card expire for children?

Your child is included in the scheme until the end of the month of their 8th birthday. For example, if your child turns 8 in July, their card will expire on 31 July. The card shows the date that it is valid until.

If you have any questions before registering, you can phone Lo-call 0818 22 44 78.

To register, you will need:

• Your Personal Public Service (PPS) number
• The child's PPS number (see below)
• Your choice of participating GP

Your child’s PPS number

You are sent your child’s PPS number after registering their birth. If you do not have a PPS number for your child, contact Client Identity Services in the Department of Social Protection on Lo-call 0818 927 999, or email [email protected] .

If you do not have a PPS number and your baby is under 2 months of age, you can register and leave the PPS number blank and the HSE will write to you separately to get it.

Choosing your family doctor (GP)

Check if your GP is taking part in the scheme (pdf) . You may also need to check if your chosen GP is accepting new patients. If they are not, you must pick another GP. You can also check if they are accepting online applications on that list.

Apply by post or email

If a GP does not accept online registrations, or if you want to post or email the form, you can download the GP Visit Card for under 8s Registration Form (pdf) bring it to the GP to sign, and then email it to [email protected] or post it to:

PO Box 12629 Dublin 11

Register online

Before you register online, check this list to see if your chosen GP accepts online registrations . Then you can apply on the HSE website .

After you apply, you will get an email with a copy of your child’s registration details attached.

Print this email attachment, bring it to your GP to sign and then post it to:

Health Service Executive

PO Box 11745 Dublin 11 D11 XKF3

Lost GP visit card

If you have lost your card you can request a replacement by phoning Lo-call 0818 22 44 78 or emailing [email protected] . Include your child’s name, address and date of birth.

Related documents

• Examples of calculating eligibility for GP visit card for under 70s Case study showing how to calculate your income and allowable expenses for a GP visit card if you are aged under 70. 2663.627
• Under 70s means test for medical card and GP visit card How your income is assessed for the medical card and GP visit card if you are under 70 years of age. 2600.967
• GP visit cards Unless you have a medical card or GP visit card, visits to family doctors are not free. What is a GP visit card and how can you apply? 2516.446

If you have a question about this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0818 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm).

You can also contact your local Citizens Information Centre .

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