Applications for GP visit cards are now open for up to 215,000 newly eligble people. People aged up to 69 and parents of children aged 8 and up can apply for a means-tested GP visit card on the HSE website. The means test assessment considers a persons or family’s circumstances, income and expenses.

 

This is the first of two phases which will provide free GP care to an estimated 430,000 people in Ireland on a means-tested basis. It is part of the biggest expansion in eligibility for free GP care in the history of the state happening this year and covering up to 500,000 people.

 

On 8 August 2023, free GP care was expanded to 78,000 children aged 6 and 7. From 13 November 2023, it will be expanded to 215,000 more people on a means-tested basis.

 

As well as assessing various kinds of income, a means test assessment considers personal situation, including dependent children and living situation, plus expenses such as rent or mortgage and childcare costs.

 

This expansion will increase the qualifying financial threshold for a means tested GP visit card in two phases.

 

 

The HSE has developed a simplified online application process for means tested GP visit cards which is now available on www.hse.ie/GPVisitCards