European Health Insurance Cards
www.ehic.ie

The European Health Insurance Card or EHIC (formerly the E111 form) allows the holder to access health care services when travelling to or on holiday in another EU or EEA country. Please note that an Irish EHIC card does not cover you for any medical treatment in Ireland, you can only use it abroad.

There is no charge for the EHIC card. The HSE does not charge a processing fee, it is a free public service.

To apply online see www.ehic.ie To apply online you need to be registered for the Medical Card/Doctor Visit Card Schemes or Drugs Payment Scheme.  Forms can be downloaded at the www.ehic.ie site to apply by post also.

You can also renew your card online if you have your old EHIC number, your PPSN, and your address is unchanged.

The website also has details on what countries the EHIC card is valid for, what services are available and how to access them.

If you move to Ireland from another country your EHIC card from your country of origin will cover you for the first three months only and you will need to sign a form at reception for each visit. This is because services available under EU Regulation 1408/71 to holders of the European Health Insurance Card, E111 or equivalent during a temporary stay in Ireland only.  If you are moving to live here you should immediately apply for a medical card or doctor visit card.  After three months, if you still have not received a medical or doctor visit card you will be treated as a private patient of the practice until you get a valid medical card number.