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Apply online for a Medical Card or GP Visit Card

Use this page to walk through the HSE online application for a Medical Card or GP Visit Card.

Use this topic if you or someone you support:
  • Want to apply online using the official HSE medical card service, or
  • Have already started an online application and want a simple checklist to follow

One online application can usually cover you, your spouse or partner, and any dependants who share the same household.

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.

You can keep this page open beside you while you go through the online screens.

Before you begin

Gather details for the people you plan to include on the application. This usually means:

Personal and ID details

  • PPS numbers and dates of birth
  • Current home address and how long you have lived there
  • Phone number and email address to link to the HSE online contact for you

Income details

  • Your GP visit or medical card number, if you have one already
  • Recent payslips, social welfare payment details or pension statements
  • Basic details of your income and expenses, for example:
  • Wage or salary, social welfare payments, pension or self employment income
  • Savings, investments or property other than the family home
  • Rent or mortgage payments

Medical and care costs

  • Regular medical or care costs that are putting pressure on your budget
  • Any ongoing prescriptions, dressings or medical appliances

You can usually upload clear photos from a phone or tablet if you do not have a scanner.

Tip

If you do not feel confident using the online system, you can ask a trusted family member, carer or support worker to sit with you while you complete the form.

If online does not suit at all, you can use the paper MC1 Medical Card and GP Visit Card Application instead.

Steps

Step 1. Create or log into your online account
  1. Go to the official HSE online medical card service on your phone, tablet or computer.
  2. Choose to start a new application or log in if you have used the service before.

  3. Follow the on screen instructions to:

    • Confirm your PPS number and date of birth
    • Set up a password or passcode if you are creating an account for the first time
    • Agree to any security or verification checks

  4. When you are signed in, choose whether you are applying:

    • For yourself only, or
    • For your household, including your spouse or partner and any dependants

Tip

Keep a note of any username, password or reference number you create at this stage, so you can log back in later to check the progress of your application.

Step 2. Fill in your personal and household details

On the next screens you will be asked for:

  • Your name and contact details
  • Your home address in Ireland and how long you have lived there
  • Your marital or civil status
  • Whether you already have a Medical Card or GP Visit Card

The system uses this information to decide which income limits and child amounts apply to your household.

If you have a spouse or partner who lives with you:

  • Add their name, PPS number and date of birth
  • Confirm whether they are also applying on this form

If you have children or other dependants who live with you:

  • Add each child or dependant and their details
  • Say whether they are fully dependent on you or partly supported from elsewhere

The system uses this information to decide which income limits and child amounts apply to your household.

Step 3. Enter your income details

You will be asked about income for you and, where relevant, your spouse or partner.
Follow the headings on screen, which usually include:

  • Employment income
  • Social welfare payments
  • Pensions
  • Self employment or business income
  • Savings and investments
  • Income from property other than the family home
  • Maintenance or other regular payments

The system uses this information to decide which income limits and child amounts apply to your household.

For each type of income:

  1. Select the correct category.
  2. Enter the amount and how often you receive it, for example weekly or monthly.
  3. Confirm who receives it and if it is expected to continue.

If you are not sure of weekly amounts, you can enter monthly or yearly figures and use the on screen guidance to convert them.

You may be able to save your answers and continue later if you need to check a figure.

Step 4. Add information about your expenses and special situations

The online form usually asks about regular expenses that can affect how your application is assessed, for example:

  • Rent or mortgage payments
  • Payments on loans linked to your home
  • Nursing home fees or home care costs
  • Other necessary medical or care expenses

You may also see questions about special situations, for example:

  • Very high ongoing medical costs for you or someone you support
  • Recent changes in your income or outgoings
  • Income from savings, investments or property that needs extra explanation

The system uses this information to decide which income limits and child amounts apply to your household.

Use the free text boxes to briefly explain anything that is unusual or hard to capture in the standard questions.

Keep any letters, receipts and notes together so you can upload them or send them if the HSE asks for more detail.

Step 5. Upload your supporting documents

The online system will tell you which proofs you need to upload. These may include:

  • Proof of identity and PPS number
  • Proof of address
  • Payslips, pension statements or social welfare payment details
  • Bank statements or letters about savings and investments
  • Rent or mortgage statements
  • Receipts or letters that show regular medical or care costs

To upload:

  1. Take a clear photo of each document on your phone or tablet, or

  2. Use scanned copies if you already have them stored

  3. Make sure all important information is visible and not covered by fingers, stickers or shadows.

If you cannot upload a document, the system may give you options to send it by post or add it later. Keep a note of anything you still need to send.

Step 6. Add your GP or medical details

You will be asked to choose or confirm the GP who will be linked to your card.

If you are not sure which GP to choose, you can usually search by name or town or ask your current GP for help.

The form may also ask:

  • Whether your GP has agreed to accept you as a patient under the medical card scheme
  • For brief details of any long term medical conditions
  • Whether anyone on the form attends a specific hospital clinic or specialist

Follow the on screen instructions about medical reports.

  • In some cases the HSE will contact your GP directly.
  • In others, you may need to print a form for your GP or consultant to complete and return.
Step 7. Read the declarations and data protection information

You will usually need to:

  • Tick boxes to say you understand and agree with the declarations
  • Confirm that you are applying on behalf of everyone named on the application, or that you have permission to act for them

Before you submit, you will see information about:

  • How the HSE will use and store your data
  • What they may check with other bodies, for example the Department of Social Protection or Revenue
  • Your responsibilities to give true and complete information and to tell the HSE if your situation changes

Take your time with this section. If anything is unclear, it can help to note your question and talk to Citizens Information, your GP or a community worker before you proceed.

Step 8. Submit your application and save the confirmation

When you are ready:

  1. Check the summary screen to make sure your details look correct.
  2. Submit the application using the button on screen.

You should then see a confirmation page. This usually shows:

  • A reference number for your application
  • The date you applied
  • Any reminders about documents you still need to send

If you provided an email address, you may also receive a confirmation email.

Write down or screenshot your reference number and keep it somewhere safe.

Step 9. Check your application status later

After you submit, you can usually:

  • Log back into the online medical card service
  • See the current status of your application
  • Check if the HSE has asked for any extra documents or information

If the HSE needs more detail, they may:

  • Send you a letter or email explaining what they need, or
  • Show a message when you log in

If you are unsure about any request, you can contact the National Medical Card Unit or ask Citizens Information to help you read the letter.

If online is not the right option

If you find the online application too difficult, you can:

  • Use the paper MC1 Medical Card and GP Visit Card Application instead
  • Ask Citizens Information or a community worker to help you fill in the paper form

You can still use the documents you gathered for the online system as evidence for the paper form.

For detailed steps, see: Apply by post using form MC1

What to do next

  • If you have not applied yet, decide whether the online route or the paper form suits you better.

  • If you have already submitted an online application, keep an eye on:

  • Any letters or emails from the HSE

  • Messages on the online medical card service when you log in

Keep copies of any forms and documents you send, in case the HSE asks you to resend them or explain them in more detail.