Medical Card or GP Visit Card?
One application can assess a person for both. The main difference is the range of services covered.
Republic of Ireland only · Last reviewed: 18 July 2026
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Quick comparison
| Label | Medical card | Gp visit card |
|---|---|---|
| GP visits | Covered | Covered |
| Most prescribed medicines | Covered; prescription charges may apply | Not covered |
| Public inpatient and outpatient services | Covered | Not covered by the card |
| Certain dental, eye and hearing services | Covered | Not covered |
| Assessment | Financial, automatic category or discretionary assessment | Age, category or financial assessment |
Checklist
Applying
- Apply for the Medical Card if eligible. If the person does not qualify, the HSE automatically assesses the same application for a GP Visit Card.
- Include household income, expenses, marital status and dependant details.
- Include evidence of allowable expenses. The assessment uses more than one headline income figure.
- If healthcare costs cause financial hardship, include the costs and a medical report for discretionary assessment.
- Apply online where possible, or use the current MC1 form. Keep the reference and copies of supporting documents.
2026 basic weekly rates for applicants under 70
These are starting rates before relevant allowances and expenses are added.
| Household | Medical card | Gp visit card |
|---|---|---|
| Single, living alone, under 66 | EUR 184 | EUR 418 |
| Single, living alone, age 66 to 69 | EUR 201.50 | EUR 418 |
| Single, living with family, under 66 | EUR 164 | EUR 373 |
| Single, living with family, age 66 to 69 | EUR 173.50 | EUR 373 |
| Couple or single-parent family with dependent children, under 66 | EUR 266.50 | EUR 607 |
| Same household, age 66 to 69 | EUR 298 | EUR 607 |
Age 70 and over
- Current gross weekly Medical Card income limit: EUR 550 for a single person.
- Current gross weekly Medical Card income limit: EUR 1,050 for a couple.
- People aged 70 and over can receive a universal GP Visit Card above these limits, but must register.
Other direct routes
- Children under 8 can register for an Under 8s GP Visit Card.
- People receiving full-rate or half-rate Carer's Allowance or Carer's Benefit can register for a Carers GP Visit Card.
- Some groups qualify for a Medical Card without a financial assessment, but still need to apply.
Your next step
If the figures feel complicated, submit clear evidence of income and expenses and let the HSE assess both cards.
Sources
Checked 18 July 2026. Links may change.
- HSE - National Assessment Guidelines for Medical Card and GP Visit Card
- HSE - What a Medical Card covers
- HSE - GP Visit Cards
- HSE - Assessment for a Medical Card
Republic of Ireland guidance only. This is general information, not medical, legal or financial advice. Schemes, rates and eligibility rules can change. Check the linked official source before applying or changing an existing arrangement.