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Renew or replace your Medical Card or GP Visit Card

Medical Cards and GP Visit Cards are usually issued for a set period of time.
Before your card expires, the HSE will review your details to see if you still qualify.
This topic explains how to renew your card or get a replacement if it is lost, stolen or damaged.

Use this topic if you or someone you support wants to:
  • Renew a Medical Card or GP Visit Card that is close to its expiry date
  • Respond to a renewal review letter, PIN code or form from the HSE
  • Understand what happens if you no longer qualify for a Medical Card
  • Replace a card that has been lost, stolen or damaged

If you do not have a card yet and want to apply for the first time, see:

Note

This page offers plain language guidance. It is not a legal document.
Only the Health Service Executive (HSE) can make an official decision about a Medical Card or GP Visit Card.

Before you begin

You do not need everything on this list, but these details can help things go smoothly.

Try to have:

  • Your current card if you still have it so you can see the Valid to date
  • Any letter, text, email, PIN code or renewal form you received from the HSE
  • Your PPS number and date of birth
  • Your current address and Eircode
  • The name of your GP and practice
  • Recent information about income and family circumstances, in case the HSE asks for it

Keep the envelope and reference numbers from any HSE letter. These can help if you need to phone or write back.

Step 1. Check what the HSE letter or reminder is asking

When your card is due for review, the HSE may:

  • Send you a letter with a PIN code, inviting you to use the online medical card application system
  • Send you a paper form to fill in and return
  • In some cases, renew your card automatically and simply send you a new card or confirmation letter

Read the letter carefully and note:

  1. The type of review. Medical Card, GP Visit Card, or both
  2. Any deadline or “reply by” date
  3. Whether they are asking you to go online or complete a paper form

If your address has changed and you think letters may have gone to your old address, contact the Medical Card office shown on your card or letters to update your details as soon as possible.

If you are unsure what the letter means, you can bring it to a Citizens Information Centre or ask a trusted person to go through it with you.
Many review letters are routine. this step is about understanding exactly what they are asking, not about starting a brand new application from scratch.

Step 2. Renew your card using the online system or a paper form

Follow the instructions on your letter to renew online or with a paper form.

If you are asked to renew online

You will usually be asked to:

  1. Go to the online medical card application system. website details are in your letter
  2. Choose the option to “Review my medical card” or similar
  3. Enter your PIN code, PPS number and other personal details
  4. Confirm your address, household members, income and circumstances
  5. Upload or send any supporting documents the system asks for

Take your time and save any reference number you receive at the end.

If you are not comfortable using the online system, you can bring your letter to a Citizens Information Centre and ask them to help you go through it.

If you are asked to use a paper form

You may receive a review form similar to the MC1 Medical Card and GP Visit Card application form.

You will usually need to:

  1. Fill in your personal and household details
  2. Give information about income, social welfare payments, savings or property, as requested
  3. Sign the form and, if asked, have your spouse or partner sign as well
  4. Return the form to the address given on the form or letter by the date shown

If you find the questions difficult, you can ask:

  • A Citizens Information Centre, or
  • A support worker, family member or friend

to help you complete the form.

Step 3. What happens after you send your renewal

After you submit your renewal online or by post, the HSE will:

  • Review your eligibility based on the information you provided
  • Decide whether you still qualify for a Medical Card, a GP Visit Card, or neither

They will then:

  • Write to you with the outcome of the review
  • Send a new card or confirm that your existing card has been extended
  • Or tell you that you no longer qualify for a Medical Card, and whether you qualify for a GP Visit Card instead

In many cases, a digital version of your card will also appear in the HSE Health App if you use it.

If you:

  • Do not understand the decision, or
  • Believe the information used was incorrect or incomplete,

you can use the topic When your card is reviewed, reduced or stopped to learn how to ask for a reassessment or appeal.

Step 4. Replace a lost, stolen or damaged card

If your Medical Card or GP Visit Card is lost, stolen or badly damaged, you should request a replacement as soon as you can.

You can usually:

  1. Contact the Medical Card office named on your card or letters, by phone or using the contact details on the HSE website
  2. Give them:
    • Your name and address
    • Your PPS number
    • Your date of birth
    • Your GP’s name and practice

Tell them if you think the card was stolen, so they can cancel the old card quickly.

The HSE will:

  • Arrange for a replacement card to be issued, and
  • Update the digital version of your card in the HSE Health App, if you use it

While you are waiting for your new card, keep a note of your PPS number and any letters confirming you are still eligible. Pharmacies, GPs and hospitals can often check your entitlement using these details.

What to do next

If you:

  • Have sent a renewal and are waiting for a decision, or
  • Are not sure whether your card has been extended or stopped,

you can:

  • Keep copies of forms, emails and letters you sent to the HSE
  • Phone or write to the Medical Card office using the contact details on your letters
  • Bring all paperwork to a Citizens Information Centre and ask them to help you check the status

If you receive a decision that reduces, stops or refuses your card and you believe it is wrong, use:

to learn how to ask for a reassessment or appeal and what to include in your request.