where do I go?
Four places to get care in Ireland, free help first, and what each one costs.
01
Free help first
- GP visit card. “With a GP visit card you don’t have to pay to see your GP.” GP visit cards (HSE) →
- Medical card. It lets you “access medical services, prescription medicines and hospital care for free”. Medical cards (HSE) →
- Need to talk? Samaritans answer any time, day or night, on 116 123. It is free from any phone, including pay-as-you-go with no credit. Call 116 123 →
- Student? Ask your college’s student health service what it costs before you book.
Sources: HSE: GP visit cards; HSE: Medical cards; Samaritans Ireland: contact us. Checked 29 October 2026.
02
Your own GP
- Free with a GP visit card. With no card, ask the practice its fee when you book.
- GP closed tonight? Phone your local GP out-of-hours service. It is free with a medical card or GP visit card; otherwise there is a fee. Find yours on nightdoc.ie →
Sources: HSE: GP visit cards; HSE: GP out of hours. Checked 29 October 2026.
03
A pharmacist, for a fee
Under the HSE Common Conditions Service a pharmacist can help with eight conditions: allergic rhinitis, cold sores, conjunctivitis, impetigo, oral thrush, shingles (18 or older), cystitis (women aged 16 to 64) and vaginal thrush (aged 16 to 60).
“The pharmacist will charge you for the service.” “You’ll have to pay even if you have a medical card.” They tell you the cost before the consultation. Some pharmacies take walk-ins; others ask you to make an appointment.
How the pharmacy service works (HSE)Source: HSE: Common Conditions Service. Checked 29 October 2026.
04
See a doctor online, no family GP
Video or phone, depending on the provider. From €34.99: the lowest published weekday fee of the 16 online GPs we list.
Compare online GPs from €34.99Your appointment is with the online provider, not your family GP, and the provider’s own privacy terms apply. Doctors owe young people confidentiality, but can’t promise absolute secrecy (what that means). You pay a fee. Under 18? Check the provider’s age rules before you book. Fees from each provider's own site, checked 29 October 2026, listed on gpcompare.ie.