Medical Card and GP Visit Card: 2026 Income Limits
The Medical Card and the GP Visit Card are means-tested health supports from the HSE. You apply once and the HSE decides which card you qualify for. Below are the official 2026 weekly income limits, dependant allowances, allowable expenses, and how to apply. All figures are official and verified, last checked 2026-06-24, see our data sources.
This page is general eligibility guidance. It is not a government service and not medical or financial advice. The HSE assesses and decides every application.
How the means test works
- One application, two cards. You apply once at mymedicalcard.ie. The HSE tests you against the lower Medical Card limits first, then automatically against the higher GP Visit Card limits if you are over.
- Under 70s are assessed on net weekly income (income after Income Tax, PRSI and USC).
- Over 70s are assessed on gross weekly income, with higher limits and a simpler test.
- Automatic Medical Card: If your only income is from social welfare or HSE payments, you get a medical card even if your income is over the limits.
- Automatic GP Visit Card: anyone under 8; anyone over 70 within the over-70 income band; anyone getting Carer's Benefit or Carer's Allowance.
Medical Card weekly income limits (under 70s)
These are net weekly income limits (after Income Tax, PRSI and USC). Allowances for dependants and allowable expenses are added on top.
| Your situation | Aged up to 65 | Aged 66 and over |
|---|---|---|
| Single person living alone | €184 | €201.50 |
| Single person living with family | €164 | €173.50 |
| Couple, or single parent with dependants | €266.50 | €298 |
GP Visit Card weekly income limits (ages 8 to 69)
The GP Visit Card limits are higher than the Medical Card limits, so many households that are over the Medical Card limit still qualify for free GP visits.
| Your situation | Weekly net income limit |
|---|---|
| Single person living alone | €418 |
| Single person living with family | €373 |
| Couple, with or without children | €607 |
| Single parent | €607 |
Allowances for dependent children
These amounts are added to the basic weekly rate for each dependent child.
| Dependant | Medical Card | GP Visit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Each of the first 2 children, under 16 | €38 | €57 |
| 3rd and each subsequent child, under 16 | €41 | €61.50 |
| Each of the first 2 children, over 16 (no income) | €39 | €58.50 |
| 3rd and each subsequent child, over 16 (no income) | €42.50 | €64 |
| Each dependant over 16 in full-time third-level education, not grant-aided | €78 | €117 |
Medical Card for over 70s
People aged 70 or over are assessed on gross weekly income. You qualify for a medical card if your income is:
- Single person: €550 a week or less.
- Couple: €1,050 a week or less (combined).
Everyone over 70 automatically qualifies for a GP Visit Card. A couple aged over 70 with combined gross income over €1,050 but not more than €1,400 a week qualifies for a GP Visit Card. Couple assessment is based on the age of the older person. If one of a couple is over 70, both qualify if their combined gross income is not over the couple limit.
Allowable expenses (under 70s)
Allowable expenses raise your qualifying threshold, so higher costs can mean you qualify at a higher income. The HSE deducts these from your income before applying the test:
- Rent payments
- Mortgage payments on the family home and other property
- Mortgage protection and associated life assurance
- Home insurance
- Childcare costs (net of any subsidy)
- Maintenance payments you make
- Nursing home or home-care costs
- Travel to work
If you get HAP or Rent Supplement: Rent counts, but you must exclude any amount paid by HAP or Rent Supplement. Only your own rent contribution counts.
Where a government subsidy applies (for example the National Childcare Scheme), only your own net contribution counts. Driving to work is allowed at 18 cent per kilometre where a car is needed.
Income that is not counted
Some income is not assessed in the means test, including: Working Family Payment, Child Benefit, Carer's Allowance, Domiciliary Care Allowance, Guardian's Payments, Fuel Allowance, Living Alone Allowance, Over 80 Allowance, third-level education maintenance grants, Foster Care Allowance. If you are getting Disability Allowance and working, earnings up to €427 a week are not counted. Rent-a-room income up to €14,000 a year is also disregarded.
Savings, investments and property
Savings, investments and property (other than your family home) up to €36,000 for a single person, or €72,000 for a couple, are not assessed. Only amounts above the disregard add a notional weekly income.
Single person
| Savings above the disregard | Weekly income added |
|---|---|
| €36,001 to €46,000 | €1 for every €1,000 |
| €46,001 to €56,000 | €2 for every €1,000 |
| Over €56,000 | €4 for every €1,000 |
Couple
| Savings above the disregard | Weekly income added |
|---|---|
| €72,001 to €82,000 | €1 for every €1,000 |
| €82,001 to €92,000 | €2 for every €1,000 |
| Over €92,000 | €4 for every €1,000 |
What each card covers
A Medical Card covers free GP visits, prescribed medicines (subject to a €1.50 charge per item, capped at €15 a month per person or family, or €1 per item capped at €10 a month for over-70s), public hospital care in public wards, and some dental, optical and aural services.
A GP Visit Card covers free GP visits and out-of-hours GP services only. It does not cover prescriptions or hospital charges. If you do not have a Medical Card, the Drugs Payment Scheme caps household spending on approved prescription medicines at €80 per calendar month.
Sources: HSE and Citizens Information. See our data sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income limit for a medical card in Ireland?
For people under 70, the medical card is assessed on net weekly income (income after Income Tax, PRSI and USC). The basic weekly limits are EUR184 for a single person living alone, EUR164 if living with family, and EUR266.50 for a couple or single parent with dependants. Allowances for dependants and allowable expenses such as rent, childcare and travel to work raise the limit. People over 70 are assessed on gross income, with limits of EUR550 a week for a single person and EUR1,050 for a couple.
What is the difference between a medical card and a GP visit card?
A medical card covers free GP visits, prescribed medicines (subject to a small per-item charge), public hospital care and some dental, optical and aural services. A GP visit card covers free GP visits and out-of-hours GP services only, and has higher income limits, so many households over the medical card limit still qualify for free GP visits.
Does HAP affect my medical card means test?
Rent is an allowable expense that can raise your qualifying threshold, but you must exclude any amount paid by HAP or Rent Supplement. Only your own rent contribution counts towards the means test.
How do I apply for a medical card or GP visit card?
You apply once online at mymedicalcard.ie. One application covers both cards: the HSE tests you against the medical card limits first, and if you are over, it automatically tests you against the higher GP visit card limits.
Can I still get a card if my income is over the limit?
Yes, in some cases. If your only income is from social welfare or HSE payments, you get a medical card even if your income is over the limits. The HSE can also grant a discretionary medical card where medical costs would cause financial hardship. People under 8, people over 70, and carers qualify for a GP visit card automatically.
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