★★★★★
“I’d been waiting over two years in pain. Within weeks I had my hip done and the HSE refund came through. I have my life back.”
M
Patient storyHip replacement · Co. Galway
Free, no-obligation enquiry
EU Cross-Border Healthcare Directive
Surgery in weeks, not years on a waiting list.
Did you know Irish patients can have private treatment in another EU/EEA country and be reimbursed by the HSE?
Takes about 60 seconds · Free · No obligation
- Reimbursed by the HSE
- No waiting list required
- Regulated EU partners
The faster route
The waiting list is optional. Your treatment isn’t.
Irish public waiting listOften years
Cross-border routeTypically weeks
And you claim back up to 100%* of the equivalent HSE cost after treatment. *Capped at what the same care would cost in the Irish public system.
2014
Directive available to Irish patients
27
EU/EEA countries you can travel to
Weeks
Typical timeline — not years waiting
100%*
Up to, of the equivalent HSE cost
How it works
A clear path from pain to relief.
We help you understand your options and connect you with regulated cross-border partners — from first call to full recovery.
1
Tell us what you need
Share your treatment and situation in a quick, free enquiry — no obligation.
2
We review your options
We explain suitable pathways, likely timelines and the documents you’ll need.
3
Meet a regulated partner
We introduce you to a vetted EU coordination partner and accredited hospital.
4
Travel & treatment
Appointments, surgery and travel logistics are coordinated around you.
5
Claim your HSE refund
We guide you through the reimbursement paperwork so nothing is missed.
Areas of care
The procedures patients ask for most.
Pick a specialty to see commonly requested treatments available through regulated EU healthcare coordination partners.
General Surgery
Common day-case and elective procedures — from hernia repair to gallbladder removal.
Don’t see your procedure? If it’s publicly available in Ireland, it may still qualify. Ask us about your treatment →
Orthopaedic
Joint replacement and keyhole surgery for hips, knees, shoulders and spine.
Don’t see your procedure? If it’s publicly available in Ireland, it may still qualify. Ask us about your treatment →
Urology
Prostate and bladder procedures with experienced specialist teams.
Don’t see your procedure? If it’s publicly available in Ireland, it may still qualify. Ask us about your treatment →
Ophthalmology
Restore clear vision with fast-track cataract surgery at accredited eye clinics.
Don’t see your procedure? If it’s publicly available in Ireland, it may still qualify. Ask us about your treatment →
Gynaecology
Women’s health procedures delivered with care, privacy and short timelines.
Don’t see your procedure? If it’s publicly available in Ireland, it may still qualify. Ask us about your treatment →
Dental
Teeth-straightening and orthodontic care with modern clear-aligner options.
Don’t see your procedure? If it’s publicly available in Ireland, it may still qualify. Ask us about your treatment →
HSE reimbursement
Whichever procedure you choose, you can claim back up to 100%* of the equivalent HSE cost after treatment.
The EU Cross-Border Directive
Treatment abroad, covered at home.
Introduced in Ireland in 2014, the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive lets you have planned treatment — that’s also publicly available in Ireland — in another EU/EEA country. You pay the provider, then claim the cost back from the HSE up to what the same care would cost here.
Am I eligible?Eligibility at a glance:
Resident in Ireland for 12+ months, with a PPS number.
A referral letter from a public GP or consultant.
The treatment is publicly available in Ireland.
You pay upfront, then claim reimbursement from the HSE.
Some procedures need prior HSE authorisation, and different rules can apply if you receive a pension or income from another EU/EEA country. We’ll help you check.
Not sure where to start? Just ask.
The enquiry takes about 60 seconds — we’ll come back to you with clear options.
A guided, end-to-end service
We take care of the parts that feel overwhelming.
Appointments booked
Consultations and surgery dates scheduled and confirmed for you.
HSE paperwork & liaison
Forms, invoices and documentation collated so your refund claim is complete.
Travel & transfers
Flights, accommodation and hospital transfers organised around your dates.
Financing options
Guidance on covering the upfront cost while you await reimbursement.
Accredited hospitals
Introductions only to regulated, internationally accredited providers.
Aftercare planning
A clear recovery and follow-up plan for when you’re back home in Ireland.
Patient stories
Lives back on track, sooner.
★★★★★
“The paperwork was what scared me most. They handled all of it and explained every step. Far easier than I expected.”
J
Patient storyCataract removal · Co. Dublin
★★★★★
“From the first call to coming home, someone was always there to answer my questions. I never felt on my own.”
A
Patient storyKnee replacement · Co. Cork
Common questions
Everything you’re wondering, answered.
Who is eligible for the Cross-Border Directive? +
Generally, you must have been resident in Ireland for at least 12 months with a PPS number, hold a referral letter from a public GP or consultant, and be seeking a treatment that’s also publicly available in Ireland. Eligibility is ultimately determined by the HSE — we’ll help you check whether your situation fits before you commit to anything.
How much will the HSE reimburse? +
The HSE reimburses up to the cost that the same treatment would have cost within the Irish public system — not necessarily the full amount you pay abroad. In many cases private treatment in another EU country costs less, so the refund can cover most or all of it. We’ll give you a realistic picture before you decide.
Do I need a referral letter? +
Yes. A referral from a public healthcare doctor (your GP or a consultant) is required, specifying the treatment and the provider abroad. If you don’t have one yet, we can explain exactly what’s needed and how to obtain it.
How long does the whole process take? +
It varies by procedure and provider, but many patients are treated within weeks rather than the months or years common on Irish public waiting lists. Once we understand your needs, we’ll share realistic timelines.
Do I have to pay upfront? +
Yes — under the Directive you pay the provider for your treatment and then claim reimbursement from the HSE afterwards. We can talk you through financing options to bridge that gap if needed.
Is treatment abroad safe and regulated? +
We only introduce patients to regulated, internationally accredited hospitals and coordination partners. PrivateSurgery.ie is an information and introduction service — your medical care is delivered by the qualified providers we connect you with.
Free & no-obligation
Stop waiting. Start your journey.
Tell us about your treatment and we’ll explain your options under the EU Cross-Border Directive — clearly, and with no pressure.
60-second enquiry
No obligation
GDPR-safe & confidential