How do you register with a GP in Ireland in 2026?

Search the HSE Find a GP directory by place name or address, then phone the surgery. Ask whether it accepts new private patients, Medical Card patients, or both. Many Dublin and Cork lists are full. Call several practices in neighbouring suburbs, along Luas or bus corridors, or in towns outside the city core rather than waiting for one popular city-centre surgery.

When a practice accepts you, complete its registration form and bring photo ID, your PPSN (Personal Public Service Number) if you have one, and any overseas medical summary. Ask about appointment fees, out-of-hours arrangements, and how repeat prescriptions work. Emergency departments are for emergencies, not routine registration.

UK citizens who are ordinarily resident under the Common Travel Area (CTA) access public health services on a similar resident basis to Irish citizens, but they still need a named GP and must meet Medical Card or GP Visit Card rules if they want free visits.

If you have no card, you pay the practice's private fee for each visit and for many certificates. Private health insurance is a separate product that may refund some GP costs under your plan; it does not automatically place you on a surgery list.

A Medical Card can cover GP visits and other listed services for people who pass the HSE means assessment and are ordinarily resident (living in Ireland and intending to stay at least a year). A GP Visit Card covers GP visits only for people who qualify on means or on automatic categories such as children under eight, people aged 70 or over, or carers on qualifying payments. Ages 8 to 69 normally apply online with PPS numbers, income, and expense details. Qualifying is not automatic for every employee in a tech or healthcare job.

Apply through the HSE medical-card channels. The GP must be willing to take you on the relevant panel. If your preferred doctor is full, choose another accepting practice before the card decision lands.

Short-stay visitors from the EU or UK may use an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) or UK Global Health Insurance Card for medically necessary public care during a temporary visit. Those cards do not replace ordinary-residence registration with an Irish GP for people who have moved here.