Medical insurance is mandatory for all international students by Irish Law. Students must provide their Insurance certificate when applying for their student visa.
NON-EU/EEA
Students from non-EU countries are not covered for any free medical attention off-campus and must therefore have their own private insurance. Please note that heavy levies are charged for all hospitalisation and it is advised to make provision for adequate medical insurance.
NON-EU/EEA students who must register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) are required to show proof of comprehensive medical insurance when registering with the GNIB. Proof of health insurance is also required when applying for a student visa.
Thereafter at every subsequent registration students are required to have proof that they were in possession of private medical insurance for all of the previous registration period by way of a letter of renewal. Travel insurance will not be accepted.
A student who cancels their medical insurance following registration will be in breach of their immigration conditions.
A more detailed note regarding private medical insurance is available on the INIS website – www.inis.gov.ie - in the document entitled (‘Private Medical Insurance for full-time Non-EEA Students’)
Under EU/EEA regulations, students from other member states who are attending a course of study are entitled to free hospital services provided they have Form E.109 with them. In order to be eligible you will be required to provide the Irish health authorities with documentation from your home country that validates your entitlement.
Health Insurance for International Students in Ireland
You should therefore contact the Health Authority in your home country, well in advance of travelling to Ireland, to fulfil any registration requirements and to obtain the necessary forms that you will need. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) must be obtained in the home country before departure.
This insurance is not an alternative to travel insurance. It does not cover any private healthcare or costs such as a return flight to your home country or lost/stolen property.
