Republic of Ireland (ROI)
Find clear information to help you manage your healthcare
Treatments A to Z
Find out about treatments — what they involve, what they cost, how long you might wait, and your options.
Waiting times by hospital
See how long the public waiting list is for your treatment at every hospital, updated monthly.
Find what you need
If you need help now
If you’re worried about a symptom, contact your GP first. Outside opening hours, contact your local GP out-of-hours service.
For a life-threatening emergency, call 112 or 999.
MedicalGuide.ie provides information only — we cannot give medical advice about your own care.
Three ways to get treated
For most treatments in Ireland you have three options. Each has different costs and waiting times. Choose a treatment to see typical figures.
1. Public (HSE)
Free with a GP referral. The trade-off is the waiting time, which depends on the hospital.
- CostFree with referral
- WaitAbout 14 months
- Note4–24 months depending on hospital
2. Private in Ireland
Much faster, paid by health insurance or by yourself. Prices vary between hospitals.
- Cost€14,500 – €19,000
- Wait2 – 6 weeks
- NoteMost insurance plans cover this in full
3. Another EU Country, reimbursed
You can be treated in another EU country and claim money back from the HSE under EU rules.
- Cost€7,200 – €9,500 paid upfront
- RefundUp to €9,214 back from the HSE
- Wait3 – 8 weeks
These are typical figures to give you an idea. Every treatment page shows exact, up-to-date figures with sources. (Placeholder data during development.)
How long are the public waiting lists?
The same operation can mean a short wait in one hospital and a very long wait in another. You can ask your GP to refer you to a hospital with a shorter list.
We publish the waiting time for every treatment at every hospital, updated when the official figures come out each month.
Check waiting times by hospital| Treatment | People waiting | Typical wait |
|---|---|---|
| Varicose vein surgery | 2,760 | 21 months |
| Knee replacement | 4,120 | 16 months |
| Hip replacement | 3,480 | 14 months |
| Tonsillectomy | 5,940 | 12 months |
| Cataract surgery | 8,270 | 9 months |
Source: National Treatment Purchase Fund. Placeholder figures shown during development.
Photo: patient consultation
Did you know the HSE can refund treatment abroad?
Under EU rules, you can choose to have certain treatments in another EU country — like Spain, Lithuania or Poland — and claim most or all of the cost back from the HSE.
Thousands of Irish patients use this every year, often because the waiting list at home is too long.
Read about treatment abroadFeatured
Waiting lists get shorter for the fourth month in a row
The improvement is not the same everywhere — some hospitals are much faster than others.
24 July 2026
Health insurance prices go up: what it means for your plan
What has changed at the three main insurers, and what to check before you renew.
23 July 2026
Free IVF: the rules have changed this year
Who can now get publicly funded IVF, and how to apply through your GP.
21 July 2026More information and advice
Medical cards
Who qualifies, the income limits, what is covered, and how to apply.
Health insurance
How plans work, waiting periods, and what to check before you buy or renew.
Cost of treatment
Typical prices for private treatment in Ireland, and what the public system charges.
Your rights as a patient
Consent, second opinions, your records, and how to make a complaint.
Find a hospital
Public and private hospitals in Ireland, what they treat, and how to be referred.
Questions and answers
Common questions answered plainly, many by doctors. Ask your own.
Common questions
Can I ask my GP to refer me to a hospital with a shorter waiting list?
Yes. Your referral is not locked to your nearest hospital. The difference between hospitals can be more than a year for the same operation.
Do I have to pay upfront if I get treated abroad?
Under the Cross-Border Directive, yes — you pay first and the HSE refunds you afterwards. The Treatment Abroad Scheme is different: the HSE pays directly, but the rules are stricter.
Why won’t my new health insurance cover my existing condition?
New policies have waiting periods — usually 26 weeks in general, and up to 5 years for conditions you already had. There are some exceptions.
Who qualifies for a medical card?
It mainly depends on your income, but age, family size and some expenses are counted too. Many people qualify without realising it.
Is this website connected to the HSE or the Government?
No. MedicalGuide.ie is an independent information service. We explain how the public and private systems work, and our health pages are checked by registered doctors. We always show the free public option first.
Information you can rely on
Checked by doctors
Health pages are reviewed by named, registered doctors, and the review date is shown on the page.
Sources shown
Our figures come from the HSE, the NTPF and other official bodies — with the source named under every table.
Free option first
We are independent and always show the free public option first, even where we earn nothing from it.
