Insurance for entry to Ireland: when is it needed, the rules of registration for different categories of visas and where to buy?

Irish law, depending on the purpose of the trip and length of stay, requires or recommends that foreigners entering the country have an insurance policy. At the same time, various requirements may be imposed on the policy. Find out in which cases and what kind of insurance is required to enter Ireland

An insurance policy is a guarantee of your safety and peaceful stay outside Ukraine

BUY

Irish law obliges foreigners to comply with migration rules, including obtaining a visa and taking out a health insurance policy. Ukrainians can enter Ireland on the basis of a biometric passport - they do not need to obtain a visa. However, the duration of such a stay is up to 90 days. After that, Ukrainians can apply for temporary protection status.

Insurance is mandatory for entry to Ireland.

Before planning your trip to the country, we recommend that you find out all the details, including insurance. By following these rules, you will be able to visit Ireland with ease.

What are the insurance requirements for travelling to Ireland?

Insurance requirements in Ireland vary depending on your planned activities in the country and the length of your stay.

Tourist visas

Despite the fact that Ireland is not a member of the Schengen area, Ukrainians do not need a visa to visit the country. The government made this decision in view of the martial law in Ukraine. Representatives of other countries must apply for a tourist visa. Read more below.

EU and EEA citizens

Ireland has an excellent healthcare system, and citizens of the European Economic Area and Switzerland are entitled to the same healthcare services as Irish citizens. However, we recommend taking out travel insurance to cover other unexpected expenses and incidents that may occur during your visit, such as repatriation costs or lost or stolen property.

Citizens of the rest of the world

If you are planning to visit Ireland as part of a trip lasting less than 6 months, we recommend that you take out travel insurance for the entire period of your planned stay, as in case of illness and absence of a policy, the traveller will be responsible for the costs of treatment at his/her own expense.

Student visa

Depending on the duration of study in Ireland and the student's country of origin, the state has different insurance requirements. It is recommended that all students coming to study from outside Ireland have health insurance. This can be a policy provided by your government in accordance with EU/EEA regulations or purchased privately. In the case of students who require a visa, having a policy is a requirement before applying for one.

Further education

Students taking a short course of study in Ireland (advanced training, certification) apply for a student visitor visa, which allows them to stay in the country for up to 3 months. Accordingly, students planning to participate in short-term study programmes in Ireland are advised to purchase private health insurance before travelling.

International education in one of the universities in Ireland

If you are pursuing an international education at one of the Irish universities, you need to obtain a category D visa and purchase a private health insurance policy to move to Ireland. It is important that the policy covers the entire period of study in Ireland.

Employment visa

Ireland has a large labour market with a variety of career opportunities. By getting a job here, you can get access to high-paying positions and professional growth. However, it is important to obtain a work visa before planning your move. One of the requirements for obtaining a permit is to have an insurance policy.

To obtain a category D work visa, you need to purchase a private health insurance policy.

Employees also have the right to access the state health insurance programme, but it only covers emergency care and primary visits to a family doctor (GP). In large companies, corporate insurance is most often used, meaning that the employer issues policies for its employees free of charge; family members can be added to the policy for an additional fee.

Temporary protection

Ukrainians moving to Ireland under the Temporary Protection Programme are not required to have insurance to enter the country. However, this document is highly desirable.

In Ireland, a Medical card is issued to people from vulnerable groups, including refugees from Ukraine. Holders of this card are entitled to free use of various medical services. The card is issued for one year and can be renewed.

However, for the first time after arrival, in particular when applying for documents and health insurance, it is better to be sure that in case of an emergency or illness, you will be able to receive guaranteed assistance in a language you understand. Also, given the high cost of medical services in Ireland, an insurance policy will help you save a lot of money in case of illness. Therefore, we advise you to purchase a travel insurance policy before moving to Ireland.

Don't want to miss important updates and useful articles? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

Why is it profitable to take out a policy from Ukrainian insurers?

There are a number of advantages to taking out a health or travel insurance policy from Ukrainian insurers:

1. Ukrainian insurance companies offer a wide range of insurance products that can be easily arranged online.

2. Ukrainian insurers have a good understanding of the needs of Ukrainian citizens and offer policies that take into account the specifics of travel and medical risks.

3. The cost of insurance policies from Ukrainian insurers is often more affordable than that of foreign companies.

4. Taking out a policy with a Ukrainian insurance company contributes to the development of the national insurance market and supports the country's economy.

5. Ukrainian insurers have experience in settling insurance claims with Ukrainian citizens, which can simplify the process of receiving insurance payments.

Medical insurance

Travel insurance

Insurance prices for Ukrainians

On the Visit Ukraine portal you can choose a policy for travelling to any country in the world!

How to buy insurance on the Visit Ukraine portal?

To apply for an insurance policy on the Visit Ukraine portal, you need a foreign passport and an identification number (TIN):

1. Prepare your passport and TIN;

2. Select an insurance package (that meets your needs).

3. Select the period of insurance validity

4. Enter your date of birth.

5. Fill in the form with the data of the insured person (full name, e-mail, contact phone number, passport details, citizenship and place of residence).

6. Sign the insurance contract (a special code will be sent to the specified e-mail).

7. Pay for the insurance policy.

The finished policy will be sent to the specified e-mail. You do not need to print it out, because the electronic version has the same legal force as the paper one.

Benefits of insurance on the Visit Ukraine portal

What are the benefits of a health insurance policy on Visit Ukraine?

A basic medical policy will cover the following risks:

- medical consultation and diagnosis

- treatment;

- emergency medical care, including hospitalisation;

- reimbursement for medicines prescribed by a doctor;

- transport costs for evacuation to the nearest medical facility;

- emergency dental care.

Take out a health insurance policy at Visit Ukraine and travel comfortably and safely!

What are the benefits of a travel insurance policy on Visit Ukraine?

A travel insurance policy provides coverage for the following risks

- medical expenses (inpatient or outpatient care);

- dental care in case of emergency;

- evacuation and transport;

- repatriation of the body or burial;

- Flight cancellation or delay;

- loss of baggage due to the fault of the carrier;

- legal advice;

- protection in case of an accident.

Take out a travel insurance policy at Visit Ukraine and protect yourself from unpleasant situations while travelling!

Healthcare system in Ireland: 5 facts you should know before travelling

1. Medicine in Ireland is recognised as one of the most effective and modern in the world. There are no polyclinics familiar to us here, almost all issues are dealt with by a family doctor who sees patients in a private or home office. The family doctor provides vaccinations, rapid tests, and even ultrasound.

2. In this country, it is not mandatory to have health insurance, but most people buy it because healthcare is very expensive. There are public and private insurance companies. State insurance does not cover 100% of the costs, so you will have to pay extra even for a doctor's appointment.

3. Municipal ambulances in Ireland are free for everyone, but the call must be justified by a real danger to life. Otherwise, you will have to pay about 130 EUR for the arrival of the crew.

4. Before visiting a doctor, a foreign national must obtain a medical card at the municipal health service, providing personal data such as name, contact phone number, address of permanent residence and a unique personal identifier (PPS).

5. The disadvantages of the Irish healthcare system include long waiting times - it is quite rare to get an appointment with a general practitioner on the same day.

Photo: Freepik

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

Our recommendation for a safe and comfortable trip: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance - insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;

Green Card - compulsory car insurance for traveling abroad;

Visit Ukraine Tickets - book tickets for buses, trains, and airplanes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;

Private Lawyer service - professional legal support on visa and migration issues;

Visit Ukraine Merch - buy patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

© 2018-2025, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.

All rights reserved.