The Medical Card provides free healthcare services including: GP visits, prescribed drugs and medicines (€1.50 per item, max €15/month), hospital inpatient and day care, dental, optical, and aural services, and maternity care. Eligibility is primarily means-tested (income limits vary by age and household size). You may still qualify on hardship grounds even if your income is above the threshold — always ask your HSE office to review your case. A GP Visit Card (less comprehensive, covers GP visits only) is available for those with income slightly above medical card limits. Under-8s and over-70s have automatic entitlement to a GP Visit Card.
Means-tested based on income and household size — check hse.ie for current thresholds. May qualify on hardship grounds even above income limits. All children under 8 and adults over 70 qualify for a GP Visit Card.