Ireland · HSE
Will the HSE pay for treatment abroad? TAS and the Cross Border Directive
Rules read 26 October 2026 (Taipei time)
Short answer
Possibly, in Europe. The HSE has two schemes. The Treatment Abroad Scheme pays for public treatment in the EU, EEA, UK or Switzerland that you cannot get in Ireland in the time normally necessary (HSE: TAS). The Cross Border Directive lets you pay a provider in an EU or EEA country, including Poland and Hungary, and claim back up to what the same care would cost in the Irish public system (HSE: CBD).
- Treatment Abroad Scheme
- Public treatment in the EU, EEA, UK or Switzerland that is not available in Ireland in the time normally needed; public consultant referral; approval first
- Cross Border Directive
- Care in an EU or EEA country that you could get publicly in Ireland; you pay, then claim up to the Irish public cost
- Not covered
- Turkey, Asia, Mexico; travel and hotels under CBD; payments to intermediaries
Cross Border Directive: pay first, claim back
- Countries: the EU and EEA, for example Poland and Hungary. Not the UK since 31 December 2020.
- You must live in Ireland (or intend to for a year), be eligible for the care publicly in Ireland, and have an outpatient consultation before inpatient or day-case treatment.
- The referral must come from a GP or a consultant you saw as a public patient; private insurance does not exclude you, but cannot be the referral route.
- You can claim the smaller of the cost abroad and the cost in the Irish public system, worked out with DRG prices (how much you can claim). Example from the HSE: treatment abroad €2,000, Irish cost €1,500, you claim €1,500.
- Travel, accommodation, translation and payments to intermediaries are not covered.
- Before inpatient or day-case care you can ask for prior notification to confirm eligibility and get an indication of the amount (prior notification). The HSE lists ophthalmic services such as cataract surgery among examples of care available (types of healthcare).
Treatment Abroad Scheme: public care, approved first
- For treatment not available in Ireland in the time normally necessary, given your health and condition.
- A public hospital consultant in Ireland must refer you; GP referrals, self-referrals and private patients' referrals are not accepted.
- Treatment must be in a recognised public hospital that accepts the E112 (S2) form, and approved before you travel; the HSE aims to decide in 15 to 20 working days.
- Travel, accommodation and food are not covered, though basic fares may be assisted in some cases.
For most readers comparing private clinics, the Cross Border Directive is the scheme that matters, and only for EU and EEA countries. Check with the CBD office before you book: you carry any shortfall between the price abroad and what you can claim.
Compare the cost
See HSE colonoscopy waiting list vs abroad, HSE cataract waiting list vs abroad, Poland and Hungary, or everything for Ireland.
HSE and treatment abroad: questions
Will the HSE pay for a private clinic in Turkey or Thailand?
No. The Treatment Abroad Scheme covers public treatment in the EU, EEA, UK or Switzerland, and the Cross Border Directive covers the EU and EEA only.
How much can I get back under the Cross Border Directive?
The smaller of what you paid and what the same care costs in the Irish public system. The HSE uses DRG prices for inpatient and day-case care.
Can I use the Cross Border Directive for cataract surgery?
The HSE lists ophthalmic services such as cataract surgery among its examples of care available under the scheme, if you are eligible for it publicly in Ireland.
Can a private patient use the Treatment Abroad Scheme?
Referrals of private patients or from private consultants are not eligible; the HSE says private patients should apply to their insurer first.
Does either scheme pay for flights?
The Cross Border Directive does not cover travel or accommodation. The Treatment Abroad Scheme does not cover travel, accommodation or food, but may help with basic fares in some cases.
Sources
- Treatment Abroad Scheme. Health Service Executive (HSE). Read 26 October 2026.
- Cross Border Directive: how to get healthcare abroad. Health Service Executive (HSE). Read 26 October 2026.
- Cross Border Directive: DRG codes and how much you can claim. Health Service Executive (HSE). Read 26 October 2026.
- Cross Border Directive: types of healthcare available. Health Service Executive (HSE). Read 26 October 2026.
- Cross Border Directive: prior notification for your healthcare. Health Service Executive (HSE). Read 26 October 2026.