The HSE assesses Medical Card applications differently depending on your age. The rules for under-70s and over-70s operate on separate frameworks, and understanding which one applies to you is the starting point for any assessment.
Under 70: Net Income Assessment
For applicants under 70, the HSE assesses your net weekly income, meaning what you take home after tax, PRSI, and USC have been deducted. This is an important distinction. Many people calculate their gross salary and assume they are over the limit when they are not.
| Household Type | Weekly Net Income Limit (2026) |
|---|---|
| Single person, living alone | €184 |
| Single person, living with family | €164 |
| Married couple / cohabitants | €266 |
| Additional allowance per child (under 16) | €57 |
Note: These are baseline figures. Distance-from-GP allowances and other additions can increase your qualifying threshold. Allowable expense deductions (mortgage, rent, childcare, travel to work) also reduce your assessable income before the threshold is applied.
Over 70: Gross Income Assessment
For applicants aged 70 and over, the assessment is based on gross income, without the deductions that apply to under-70s. The limits are significantly higher.
| Household Type | Weekly Gross Income Limit (2026) |
|---|---|
| Single person over 70 | €550 |
| Couple (both over 70) | €1,050 |
Income from most investments, deposits, and rental properties counts toward the gross income figure for over-70s. Medical expenses can be submitted as part of an over-70 application and may support a discretionary grant if income is slightly above the threshold.
The GP Visit Card Buffer
If your income is above the Medical Card threshold, the HSE automatically assesses you for a GP Visit Card. The income limits for GP Visit Cards are approximately 50% higher than Medical Card limits. This means many households that do not qualify for a Medical Card do qualify for free GP visits under the GP Visit Card scheme.
- Single person, living alone: approximately €304/week net
- Married couple: approximately €441/week net
- Additional per child under 16: approximately €57/week net
What to Do if Your Income Is "on the Edge"
If your income is close to any of these thresholds, a detailed review of your allowable expenses is essential before concluding that you do not qualify. Mortgage or rent, childcare costs, nursing home fees for a dependent, and travel-to-work expenses are all deductible. In some cases these deductions move a household from just over the threshold to well within it.
Is Your Income on the Line?
Our eligibility check accounts for every allowable deduction before arriving at your assessable income. Many families who believe they are over the threshold are not, once the full picture is considered.
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