- Before you go..
- When you are away...
- When you return...
- Vaccines
Before you go...
Check if vaccinations are recommended for your trip.
You may need travel vaccinations when travelling abroad. Check what vaccinations are recommended on the Travax website or arrange a FREE consultation at the DIT Travel Clinic.
Check for outbreaks of illness or diseases in the countries you are visiting.
Outbreaks of illness or disease in the countries you are visiting may put restrictions on your travel plans or need you to take extra precautions to prevent illness. Check out the latest information from the Fit to Travel website above or contact your travel agent.
Arrange Medical Insurance
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
As an Irish resident you are entitled to get healthcare through the state health care scheme of European Union (UN) countries, European Economic Area (EEA) countries and Switzerland if you become ill or have an accident while on a temporary stay there. The EHIC card replaces the E111 and E128 forms. You may wish to consider private medical insurance as well as the EHIC because the EHIC does not cover.
- transport costs back to Ireland,
- Extra travel and accommodation costs as a result of illness or accident,
- The cost of treatment in private health care setting.
For the United Kingdom
The EHIC is not needed to get necessary healthcare when visiting the United Kingdom (Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales). Proof that you are ordinarily resident in Ireland, such as a driving licence or passport, is necessary.
The EHIC does not allow you to travel abroad with the aim of getting healthcare through the state healthcare system of any of the countries covered
Application forms are available from your local Community Care or Health Centre and on http://www.ehic.ie/
Countries Covered By the EHIC
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Austria |
Belgium |
Cyprus |
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Czech Republic |
Denmark |
Estonia |
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Finland |
France |
Germany |
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Greece |
Hungary |
Italy |
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Latvia |
Lithuania |
Luxembourg |
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Malta |
Netherlands |
Poland |
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Portugal |
Slovakia |
Slovenia |
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Spain |
Sweden |
United Kingdom |
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Iceland |
Liechtenstein |
Norway |
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Switzerland |
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For countries not covered by the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
Medical Insurance is important. Check with your travel agent for the amount of cover you will need. Include enough cover to allow for the extra cost of travelling home in an emergency. Find out what steps you need to follow to get assistance and claim back costs of healthcare if ill abroad.
Some countries such as Australia have special agreements with Ireland about health care, check with the embassy or consulate of the country you are travelling to.
Pregnancy/Illness
If you have any illness or are pregnant discuss your travel plans in detail with your doctor
Make arrangements to bring enough supplies of any necessary medicines.
Many airlines do not allow pregnant women to travel after the 36th week of pregnancy (or 32nd week for twins or more). Some airlines require a letter from your doctor or midwife confirming you are in good health, stating it’s been a normal pregnancy and confirming expected date of delivery, if travelling by air after 28th week of pregnancy. However flying by air itself does not have any negative effects on the pregnancy.
Have a dental check-up
If you will be away for more than a short period, have a dental check up before you go. It may be difficult and expensive to get treatment in the countries you visit.