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Healthcare in Ireland > Galway, Ireland
Expat Healthcare & Health Insurance in Galway, Ireland
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An retired expat in Ireland offers a candid comparison of the public healthcare system vs. the private healthcare system in Galway. He's 70 with a heart condition and recalls an emergency visit to the public hospital where he was left on a trolley for 30 hours after breaking his collar bone and ribs. He says that private health insurance is a must. And, he says that he sometimes returns to his home country of Germany for medical care.
Yes I qualify because I am a German pensioner and the German government dock my pension to pay the Irish government for my medical card. It covers most things but only with enormously long waiting lists. The public hospitals are dirty, OVERCROWDED and without sufficient doctors.
Expat Healthcare Advice for Galway
Private health insurance is absolutely essential. The private hospitals are OK provided it is not an emergency. There is no 24 hour A and E. If it were available I would insure also for a fly you back to Germany for accidents and emergencies. I was left on a trolley for 30 hours falling a fall with a broken collar bone and ribs. I am over 70 with a heart condition. Some third world countries have better medical services than Ireland.
Emergency Medical Care in Galway
The nearest hospital is the University College Hospital Galway. This is a dirty, old building with very few doctors many of whom barely speak English. The Galway Clinic (private) is OK but also overburdened. The Bon Secour (private) is also OK.
Expat Health Insurance in Ireland
Expats interested in expat health insurance should take a minute to get a quote from our trusted expat health insurance partner, CIGNA.
Quality of Healthcare in Surrounding Area
I do return to my home country for medical care. The quality of doctors in Germany is far higher and they have time to speak to you. Hospitals are properly equipped and clean. No waiting. Even privately you have to wait long periods to see a specialist in Ireland. Finally medical services in Germany are much cheaper.
Prescription Medicines
Yes most but not all medicines are available. Even with a medical card you must pay. Prescriptions are needed for almost everything as pharmacists here do not appear to have the same capabilities as in France or Germany. My hayfever medicine is sent from Germany as unavailable here.
Expats living in Ireland interested in expat health insurance should take a minute to get a quote from our trusted expat health insurance partner, CIGNA.
Get a Quote
Expats living in Ireland interested in expat health insurance should take a minute to get a quote from our trusted expat health insurance partner, CIGNA.
Expat Health Insurance in Ireland
Medical insurance is extremely complicated and needs to be renegotiated every year. Tax relief is available. Many things are not covered. People with chronic on going conditions would have difficulties. Whether your insurance is accepted depends on the individual policy and there is usually an excess to pay. Medical care in Ireland is probably the most expensive in Europe. Specialists charge 150-250 euros for 10 minute appointments. Hospital beds start at 1000 per day in crowded dirty wards
Expatriate Health Insurance
Get a quote for expat health insurance in Ireland from our partner, Cigna Global Health.
Get a Quote
Healthcare in Ireland
Expats in Ireland face very specific timelines and rules when it comes to getting healthcare in Ireland. It's important to understand how this will impact your journey and your individual health before you decide to move to Ireland.
Expats in Ireland face very specific timelines and rules when it comes to getting healthcare in Ireland. It's important to understand how this will impact your journey and your individual health befo...
7 Important Tips about Healthcare for Expats in Ireland
Expats in Ireland share tips and advice about healthcare and health insurance in Ireland. Advice about Irish hospitals, having a baby in Ireland, medical care in rural areas of Ireland and more.
Expats in Ireland share tips and advice about healthcare and health insurance in Ireland. Advice about Irish hospitals, having a baby in Ireland, medical care in rural areas of Ireland and more....
Healthcare in Galway, Ireland
An retired expat in Ireland offers a candid comparison of the public healthcare system vs. the private healthcare system in Galway. He's 70 with a heart condition and recalls an emergency visit to th
Answer Questions about Healthcare in Ireland
Help others moving to Ireland by answering a set of questions about health insurance, public healthcare in Ireland, prescription medicine, quality of medical care and emergency services.
Expats Talk about What it's Like Having a Baby in Ireland
Read recent baby reports submitted for Letterkenny and Ballinsloe.
If you're an expat parent who had a baby abroad, write a report about your childbirth experiences to help other expecting expat parents.
Pixter replied on August 03, 2020 13:59:
I'm an Australian citizen, living in Australia. I'm also an Irish citizen and passport holder by virtue of my immediate ancestry. If I were to reside in Ireland for an extended period or settle permanently, would I be able to access medical care in Continental Europe - say France or Germany - given that health services in Ireland are below par compared with other EU nations?
Pixter replied on August 03, 2020 13:58:
I'm an Australian citizen, living in Australia. I'm also an Irish citizen and passport holder by virtue of my immediate ancestry. If I were to reside in Ireland for an extended period or settle permanently, would I be able to access medical care in Continental Europe - say France or Germany - given that health services in Ireland are below par compared with other EU nations?
Expatriate Health Insurance
Get a quote for expat health insurance in Ireland from our partner, Cigna Global Health.
Get a Quote
Healthcare in Ireland
Expats in Ireland face very specific timelines and rules when it comes to getting healthcare in Ireland. It's important to understand how this will impact your journey and your individual health before you decide to move to Ireland.
Expats in Ireland face very specific timelines and rules when it comes to getting healthcare in Ireland. It's important to understand how this will impact your journey and your individual health befo...
7 Important Tips about Healthcare for Expats in Ireland
Expats in Ireland share tips and advice about healthcare and health insurance in Ireland. Advice about Irish hospitals, having a baby in Ireland, medical care in rural areas of Ireland and more.
Expats in Ireland share tips and advice about healthcare and health insurance in Ireland. Advice about Irish hospitals, having a baby in Ireland, medical care in rural areas of Ireland and more....
Healthcare in Galway, Ireland
An retired expat in Ireland offers a candid comparison of the public healthcare system vs. the private healthcare system in Galway. He's 70 with a heart condition and recalls an emergency visit to th -
Answer Questions about Healthcare in Ireland
Help others moving to Ireland by answering a set of questions about health insurance, public healthcare in Ireland, prescription medicine, quality of medical care and emergency services.
Expats Talk about What it's Like Having a Baby in Ireland
Read recent baby reports submitted for Letterkenny and Ballinsloe.
If you're an expat parent who had a baby abroad, write a report about your childbirth experiences to help other expecting expat parents.