- Monday to Sunday 08:00 - 20:00
- +353 (0)1 267 8011
- info@healthcareabroad.ie
How it Works
The EU Cross Border Directive scheme is a refund scheme, so you pay the hospital or clinic for your treatment and submit a refund application to the HSE afterwards. Our service is free to our patients.
The European Cross-Border Healthcare Directive (CBD), was established in Ireland in June 2014. It offered patients the option of receiving healthcare in another EU or European Economic Area (EEA) country, with the cost of the treatment refunded to the patient. This enables the HSE to pay for treatments that are publicly funded and available in Ireland, including inpatient and outpatient treatments but the patient is treated abroad.
While patients do not need to be on a waiting list to be eligible to apply for healthcare abroad, they must be referred by a clinician (which can be a consultant or GP) for treatment.
If a patient’s treatment involves an overnight stay in hospital, the treatment will require prior authorisation from the HSE in advance of travel.
How much does it cost?
Our service is free to our patients. Our extensive services are funded by the hospitals and clinics.
The EU Cross Border Directive scheme is a refund scheme, so you pay the hospital or clinic for your treatment and submit a refund application to the HSE afterwards. We prepare the application form and all the supporting documentation required for you to claim your refund.