Under 8s GP Visit Card
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 ages 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
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.
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.
Lost or stolen GP visit cards
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