The EU Cross-Border Healthcare Directive gives you the legal right to access medical treatment in any EU country and have the cost reimbursed by the HSE, up to the amount it would have cost to receive the same treatment in Ireland.

This means if you are on a waiting list here, you can explore treatment options in countries like Spain and Portugal, receive care faster, and claim your costs back once eligibility criteria are met.

The Directive was introduced to give patients more control over where and when they receive care, without having to wait indefinitely for treatment at home.

Most people with a valid referral from their GP or consultant are eligible. To qualify, you generally need to meet the following criteria:

- You are ordinarily resident in Ireland
- You have a referral from a GP or specialist for the treatment you need
- The treatment is available within the public health system in Ireland
- The country you are travelling to is an EU or EEA member state

The HSE will reimburse your costs up to the amount the same treatment would cost in Ireland. If the treatment abroad costs more, you cover the difference.

Some treatments require prior authorisation from the HSE before you travel, so it is worth confirming this before booking anything.

If you are unsure whether your specific treatment qualifies, our team can check your eligibility as part of a free consultation.

"No. Our service is completely free to use.
We are paid directly by our partner hospitals at no cost to you, which means there is no fee for you at any stage of the process."

Yes, you will need to pay for your treatment, travel and accommodation upfront and then claim reimbursement from the HSE once you return home.

The HSE will reimburse your treatment costs up to the amount the same procedure would cost within the Irish public health system, however in most cases the cost of treatment abroad is not higher.

Travel and accommodation are not covered by the HSE reimbursement, so these are costs you would need to budget for separately.

Many patients use a Credit Union loan to cover the upfront cost, with the majority of the loan paid off once the HSE reimbursement comes through. If this is something you are considering, we can provide the supporting letters and documents you need for your loan application.

We guide you through the full reimbursement process and help you prepare the paperwork, so you know exactly what to expect before you travel.

Once you return home, you can apply to the HSE to reclaim your treatment costs. The process involves submitting a reimbursement application along with supporting documents, including your original invoices, proof of payment, and details of the treatment received.

The HSE will reimburse you up to the amount the same treatment would cost within the Irish public health system. In most cases, this covers all of your treatment costs.

We handle the paperwork on your behalf and make sure your application is complete before submission.

Reimbursement is typically processed within a few weeks of a successful application. Our team will keep you informed throughout and follow up with the HSE where needed.

Timelines vary, but treatment can typically be arranged within 3 to 4 weeks of starting the process. We work with you to find a date that suits, match you with a suitable hospital, confirm your appointment, and arrange travel.

This compares to waiting lists in Ireland that can run to years depending on the procedure.

Once you get in touch, our team moves quickly. We will assess your situation, identify the right hospital, and have a treatment date confirmed as soon as possible.

We only work with hospitals that meet a high standard of care. Every hospital in our network is vetted based on clinical quality, accreditation, and track record with international patients.
When matching you with a hospital, we also take into account:

- The specific treatment you need
- Location and accessibility from Ireland
- English-speaking staff and patient support
- Cost and alignment with HSE reimbursement rates

We have established relationships with leading hospitals in Spain and Portugal, both of which are widely recognised for the quality of their public and private healthcare systems.

You will always know which hospital you are being referred to and why, before you commit to anything.

To begin, we just need a few basic details from you:

- Your name and contact information
- A brief description of the treatment or procedure you need
- A referral letter from your GP or consultant

If you do not have a referral yet, we can advise you on how to get one. It does not need to be in place before you make contact.

From there, our team will review your details, confirm your eligibility, and walk you through the next steps on a free consultation call.

Yes. We manage the entire process from start to finish, so you are never left to figure things out on your own.

From your first consultation through to your recovery at home, we are with you every step of the way. This includes:

- Matching you with the right hospital
- Coordinating your appointments and treatment dates
- Providing support letters loan applications where needed
- Arranging flights and accommodation
- Preparing your HSE reimbursement paperwork
- Following up with the HSE on your behalf after you return

Once you are home, we stay in contact to make sure your recovery is progressing and that your GP has everything they need, including your full treatment details, aftercare recommendations, and any physiotherapy or rehabilitation plan prescribed by your hospital.

If you have questions at any point, our team is available to help. The goal is to make the process as straightforward and stress-free as possible.>

Once your treatment is complete, we help you get home smoothly and begin the process of recovering your costs.
Our team will:

- Collect your invoices and proof of payment from the hospital
- Prepare and submit your HSE reimbursement application on your behalf
- Follow up with the HSE to track the progress of your claim
- Keep you updated throughout until reimbursement is confirmed

Beyond the paperwork, we stay in contact to check in on your recovery. If you need follow-up appointments, aftercare support, or additional documentation from the hospital, we will coordinate this for you.

The goal is to make sure that once your treatment is done, the only thing you need to focus on is getting better.

Yes, and many patients choose to. Having a family member or friend travel with you can make the experience feel much more manageable, especially if it is your first time travelling abroad for treatment.

We can factor a travel companion into your arrangements from the start, helping to coordinate flights and accommodation for both of you.

For certain procedures, having someone with you for the return journey is strongly recommended. Mobility may be limited immediately after treatment, so travelling with a companion makes the journey home significantly easier and more comfortable.

Before you travel, we make sure everything is in place so your hospital has what they need and you are fully prepared for your treatment.

Once your treatment date is confirmed, we will:

- Request any required blood tests or pre-treatment checks on your behalf
- Coordinate with your GP to obtain a full medical breakdown and any supporting documentation the hospital requires
- Confirm that all paperwork is in order before you depart
- Share full details of your hospital, including location, contact information, and what to bring
- Prepare your HSE prior authorisation application where required
- Walk you through the reimbursement process so you know exactly what to keep and submit when you return home

By the time you travel, everything will be prepared and confirmed. You can focus on your treatment knowing there are no loose ends.

We work exclusively with hospitals that have English-speaking staff and experience treating international patients. We also stay in contact throughout your stay, so if any communication issues arise, you can reach our team directly and we will help resolve them quickly.

After you return to Ireland, your care resumes as normal under the HSE. Before you leave the hospital abroad, we make sure your GP has everything they need, including your full treatment details, aftercare recommendations, and any physiotherapy or rehabilitation plan prescribed by your hospital.

This ensures there is no gap in your care when you return and your GP can pick up seamlessly from where your treatment left off.