All children under 8 years of age living in Ireland can get a GP visit card.
The under 8s GP visit card covers:
- free GP visits
- assessments at age 2 and 5
- out-of-hours urgent GP care
- care for children with asthma
Medication costs and hospital charges are not covered.
Children who have an under 6s card
You do not need to register for a new GP visit card if your child:
- is under 6 and has a GP visit card
- was under 6 on 1 July 2023
Their old card will automatically be extended. They will have free GP care until they are 8.
Children who turned 6 before 1 July
You need to register for a new under 8s GP visit card if your child:
- turned 6 before 1 July 2023
- is age 7
Their new card will cover free GP care until they are 8.
Check to see if a card is still valid
Use our online eligibility status check to see if your card is still valid.
Register online
To register your child you need to provide your:
- PPS number
- child's PPS number
- GP's name
If you don't have your child's PPS number, phone the Department of Social Protection on 0818 927 999 or email cis@welfare.ie. If your baby is under 4 months, you can still register. We'll ask you for their PPS at a later date.
Your child must currently live in Ireland and intend to live here for at least 1 year.
If your child has a medical card, you do not need to register. Your child already has access to free GP services.
Email and postal applications
To apply for an under 8s GP visit card by email or post, download and fill in the Under 8s GP Visit Card application form (PDF, 244KB, 4 pages).
Download the Irish version of the form
You can also phone 0818 22 44 78 to order an application form in the post.
Where to send the form
Email:
Post:
National Medical Card Unit - under 8s GP visit cards,
PO Box 12629,
Dublin 11
Check if your GP is accepting registrations
Your GP may not be on the list of GPs providing services for Under 8s GP visit cards. They may not be currently accepting patients.
If your GP is not taking part in this scheme, or can't take any more patients, you must pick another GP.
Electronic GP registrations
If your GP is accepting registrations electronically, we will send your child’s details to them after you register.
If your GP is not accepting registrations electronically, you will receive an email with a copy of your child’s registration details attached.
Print this email attachment, bring it to your GP to sign and then post it to:
The National Medical Card Unit,
PO Box 11745
Dublin 11
D11 XKF3
After you apply
Once you complete the registration process, your GP will get the details and your child will get a card within a few days.
If you don't get a card or letter within 2 weeks, contact the GP visit card service.
Lost child's GP visit card
Contact us to replace a lost or stolen medical card or GP visit card.
Change of address
To contact us about a change of address phone 0818 22 44 78 or 01 864 7100 or email nmcu.cod@hse.ie.
You will need to give us:
- the name and PPS number for every child that has a GP visit card
- a copy of a utility bill dated within the last 3 months
Change your GP
Download the GP Visit Card or Medical Card change of GP form (PDF, 309KB, 2 pages).
Download the Irish version of the form
Complete the form and get your GP to sign it.
Email the form to nmcu.cod@hse.ie or post it to:
National Medical Card Unit,
PO Box 11745,
Dublin 11
Read advice on other changes of details and who to contact