Everyone living in Ireland and some visitors to Ireland are entitled to many health services for free or at low cost. If you require treatment at a public hospital or stay overnight as an inpatient, you may be liable for hospital charges. Medical card holders and certain other groups do not have to pay hospital charges.
Inpatient and day service charges
There are no hospital charges for public inpatient care or day service care. The removal of these charges was announced as part of Budget 2023 and came into effect on 17 April 2023. Inpatient and day service charges still apply for inpatient and day service care up until and including 16 April 2023.
You may be liable for hospital charges if you attend an emergency department (A+E) of a public hospital. Medical card holders and certain other groups do not have to pay hospital charges.
You may be liable for hospital charges if you attend an emergency department (A+E) of a public hospital. Medical card holders and certain other groups do not have to pay hospital charges.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said in a statement after the bill was signed that people would no longer be inconvenienced by these fees when seeking treatment in public hospitals. Donnelly said the abolition of the fee, which was decided as part of the 2023 budget, was a major step in reducing the cost of public health services.
The government had abolished in-patient fees for children in government hospitals last year. Those with medical card and those with special needs need not pay in-patient fee in advance. About 30 million euros have been allocated in the budget for the implementation of the project. According to the plan, about 800 euros can be saved for each patient.
- How about hospital charges in Ireland? CLICK HERE
- Who can access health services in Ireland ? CLICK HERE