Medical Card vs GP Visit Card
Last reviewed: 17 July 2026
Both cards are free, both are means-tested, and both are often assumed to be out of reach — but the GP Visit Card has a much higher income limit than the Medical Card, so it's worth checking even if a relative thinks they earn too much. This guide covers the Republic of Ireland only and is for working out roughly where someone stands, not for the medical decisions that come after.
1. How old is the person you're checking for?
The means test works differently either side of age 70, so start here.
- Under 70 → go to step 2.
- 70 or older → go to step 3.
2. Under 70: check net weekly income against the basic rates
For people under 70, the HSE looks at net weekly income — what's left after tax, PRSI, and USC — and compares it to a "qualifying financial threshold." That threshold is a basic rate (below) plus an allowance for any dependants plus certain allowable expenses (rent or mortgage, childcare, travel to work), so someone can still qualify even if their income is a bit over the basic rate once those are added in.
Medical Card basic weekly rates:
- Under 66, single, living alone: €184
- Under 66, single, living with family: €164
- Under 66, married/cohabiting couple, or single parent with dependants: €266.50
- Aged 66–69, single, living alone: €201.50
- Aged 66–69, single, living with family: €173.50
- Aged 66–69, married/cohabiting couple: €298
GP Visit Card basic weekly rates (age 8–69):
- Single, living alone: €418
- Single, living with family: €373
- Married/cohabiting couple, or single parent with dependants: €607
Savings and investments are also part of the picture — up to €36,000 for a single person and €72,000 for a couple are disregarded in the means test.
Likely under the Medical Card threshold? Apply for the Medical Card — see step 4.
Over the Medical Card threshold but under the GP Visit Card threshold?Apply for the GP Visit Card instead — see step 4.
Over both? Still worth applying if there are high medical costs, rent, or childcare expenses that bring net assessable income down — or see step 5 for the hardship route.
These are the basic rates only — for the full calculation including dependant allowances and allowable expenses, check the current figures athse.ieor citizensinformation.ie.
3. Aged 70 or older: check gross weekly income
For people 70 and over, a simpler, separate means test applies. This one looks atgross weekly income — before tax, PRSI, and USC — not net.
- Single person: qualifies for a Medical Card with gross income up to €550 a week.
- Couple (including where only one partner is 70 or over): qualifies with combined gross income up to €1,050 a week.
Savings and investments up to €36,000 (single) or €72,000 (couple) are disregarded, the same as under the under-70s test.
If a couple's combined gross income is above €1,050 but the HSE assesses them as still within a further band, they may qualify for a GP Visit Card instead of a full Medical Card — check the current thresholds and how this applies to a single person onhse.ie.
Under the limit? Apply for the over-70s Medical Card — see step 4.
Over the limit, but there are high medical costs? Apply for a general Medical Card or GP Visit Card under the standard means test instead, or see step 5.
4. What each card actually covers
Worth knowing before applying, so there's no surprise about what's still chargeable.
Medical Card:
- Free GP visits.
- Prescribed medicines, subject to a per-item charge (currently €1.50 per item, capped per family per month) — check the current charge on citizensinformation.ie.
- Public hospital in-patient and out-patient care.
- Some dental, optical, and hearing supports, and HSE-prescribed aids and appliances (wheelchairs, walking aids, and similar) — coverage details and any contribution amounts are set out on hse.ie.
GP Visit Card:
- Free GP visits only, including participating GP out-of-hours services.
- Does not cover prescription medicines (though separate schemes like the Drugs Payment Scheme may help) or public hospital charges.
A Medical Card is also often the gateway to other supports worth asking about — see theequipment & funding directory, which lists the Medical Card alongside other funding routes.
5. If income is just over the limit
Two things worth trying before ruling a card out:
- Ask about discretionary eligibility on medical or financial hardship grounds. The HSE can award a card outside the standard means test where high medical costs or particular circumstances apply.
- If it's the Medical Card that's out of reach, check the GP Visit Card— its income limit is meaningfully higher, and it still means free GP visits even without medicine or hospital cover.
6. How to apply
Apply online at mymedicalcard.ie, or by paper application through the HSE National Medical Card Unit. A GP or public health nurse can advise on which card fits best and help with the paperwork — this is especially useful if you're coordinating the application from a distance and can't easily gather bank statements or payslips yourself.
Have questions about the process rather than the eligibility figures? Citizens Information can talk it through — call 0818 07 4000 (Monday–Friday, 9am–8pm) or seecitizensinformation.ie.
Still not sure where to start?
A Medical Card is assessed separately from other entitlements — having one doesn't affect eligibility for Carer's Allowance or Carer's Benefit, the HSE Home Support Service, or the Fair Deal nursing home scheme — each has its own means test, so it's worth applying for the ones that fit rather than assuming one card rules another out.
If you're not sure which service to contact at all — this, or something else entirely — see Who do I call?. For a wider map of services, seeWhere to get help.