Clear, independent information on surgical procedures available through the Irish public system, private hospitals, and EU treatment reimbursed by the HSE — so you can choose the fastest safe route to your operation.
Choose a specialty to see the surgeries covered.
Free to use. We are an information and referral service — we do not provide medical care.
Most people in Ireland only ever hear about one route: the public waiting list. You have three. Each has different costs, timelines and entitlements.
Treatment in a public hospital, free or low-cost at the point of care.
Faster access through private hospitals and clinics in the Republic.
Have your operation in another EU/EEA state and claim reimbursement from the HSE.
Every category below reflects procedures recognised for funding in Irish hospitals. Individual guides cover what the surgery involves, recovery, waiting times, private costs and cross-border options.
Under the EU Cross-Border Healthcare Directive, patients ordinarily resident in Ireland can access treatment in another EU or EEA member state and claim the cost back from the HSE — up to what the same treatment would cost in the Irish public system.
Your GP or hospital consultant refers you for the procedure, the same as any Irish pathway.
Select an accredited hospital in an EU/EEA state. Many treat Irish patients weekly and speak English throughout.
Pay the clinic directly and keep all invoices. Pre-authorisation is required for treatment involving overnight stays.
Submit your claim to the HSE Cross-Border Directive office and receive reimbursement up to 100%* of the Irish public cost.
Tens of thousands of Irish patients have already used EU cross-border care for hip replacements, cataracts, gallbladder removal and more — with the cost reimbursed by the HSE.
Check whether your procedure qualifies and what you’d get back.
Check your entitlement*Reimbursement is capped at the cost of the same treatment in the Irish public health system. Travel, accommodation and any balance above the HSE rate are not covered. Pre-authorisation applies to treatment involving an overnight hospital stay. Northern Ireland is covered by a separate HSE scheme.
No. You do not need to be on a public waiting list. You need a valid referral from a GP or consultant for the treatment, and the treatment must be one you would be entitled to in the Irish public system.
The HSE reimburses the cost of your treatment up to the amount the same procedure would cost in the Irish public system. If the clinic abroad charges less than the Irish public rate, you’re reimbursed the full amount you paid. If it charges more, you pay the difference.
Any EU or EEA member state — popular destinations for Irish patients include Spain, Poland, Lithuania, Belgium and Germany. Northern Ireland is not covered by the EU Directive but has its own HSE scheme, the Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme.
No. Private treatment within the Republic of Ireland is paid through health insurance or self-funding. The HSE reimbursement route applies to treatment in other EU/EEA states under the Cross-Border Directive.
No. Surgery Centre is an independent information and referral service. We are not affiliated with the HSE, the Department of Health or gov.ie. We help you understand your options and connect you with accredited providers; all reimbursement decisions are made by the HSE.