Under EU Regulations, all persons ordinarily resident in the EU are entitled to apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The EHIC certifies that the holder has the right to receive emergency healthcare during a temporary stay in any EU country as well as Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Iceland. This right is guaranteed to all persons who are covered by the public healthcare system of these countries. The European Health Insurance Card holder has the right to receive necessary treatment in the host Member State's public healthcare system on the same terms and at the same cost as nationals of the State concerned. Renal units in this State normally accommodate dialysis for those presenting a EHIC once contact has been made with them in advance of the patient travelling here and the patient’s clinicians provide all relevant patient information to the consultants in the receiving renal unit here. Under bilateral arrangements, patients from the UK can bring evidence of UK residence instead of an EHIC.
In relation to patients travelling within Ireland requiring dialysis, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
