Ireland is a member of the European Union, attracting expatriates not only with its warm welcome, but also with its dynamic economy and growing industries. More and more young people are choosing Ireland to build their professional careers.
If you too want to live and work in Ireland, you’ll need to take care of your health cover. We explain how the Irish healthcare system works.
Access to care
Despite the good performance and quality of care in Ireland, there can be long waits in public hospitals, often caused by staff shortages. It should also be noted that medical care in private hospitals can be very expensive.
Depending on your expatriation situation, you may be eligible for social protection in your home country if it is a member of the European Union. This means that you will be entitled to social security cover for accidents and emergencies, as in your own country, but for consultations with general practitioners/specialists, or for dental or optical care, you will have to pay in advance. Refunds will also be made under the same conditions as in your country of origin, so if costs are higher in Ireland, the difference will not be refunded.
Irish social security card
As an expatriate, you may be eligible for the Irish social security card, but the waiting time to qualify is long. In fact, you’ll have to wait a full year before you’re considered “ordinarily resident”, and then you’ll be entitled to health cover like the Irish, but additional private cover is recommended to make up for any shortcomings in the system.
Expatriate health insurance
To avoid unpleasant surprises and long waits, we strongly advise you to take out expatriate health insurance. These insurances will cover you not only in Ireland but worldwide, and it is also possible to choose one in addition to the Caisse des Français à l’étranger (CFE). Additional benefits such as repatriation assistance and maternity coverage will also contribute to your peace of mind during your expatriation.
Mondassur has developed health cover to meet the needs of expatriates in all situations.
