A date you can plan around
Partner hospitals schedule consultations and surgery in advance, so you know when treatment will happen and can plan work, family and recovery.
EU Cross-Border Healthcare Directive · Treatment abroad for patients in Ireland
For patients in Ireland
Healthcare abroad, reimbursed by the HSE.
Have your treatment at a vetted hospital in Spain, Portugal or elsewhere in the EU and claim the cost back under the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive.
- Free, no-obligation eligibility check
- Vetted EU hospitals and English-speaking teams
- Travel, accommodation and HSE paperwork handled
- One named coordinator from start to finish
Takes about 2 minutes.
Why go abroad
Why patients choose treatment abroad
Under the EU Cross-Border Healthcare Directive, anyone entitled to public treatment in Ireland can have that treatment in another EU or EEA country and claim the cost back from the HSE, up to what it would have cost in the Irish public system.
Everything handled, start to finish
We coordinate the hospital, appointments, paperwork and travel. One coordinator guides you through every step.
Reimbursed by the HSE
You pay the hospital first, then the HSE reimburses eligible costs up to the Irish public rate. We explain your likely position before you commit.
Locations: Spain & PortugalWorld-class care within reach
The Directive covers every EU and EEA country. We mainly work with private hospitals in Spain and Portugal: short direct flights from Irish airports, strong surgical outcomes and teams used to caring for Irish patients.
- Accredited private hospitals in Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon, Porto and more
- Experienced consultants and specialist surgical teams
- Short travel times from Dublin, Cork, Shannon and Knock
- English-speaking staff and patient liaisons
Treatments covered
Types of treatments covered
Any treatment you would be entitled to in the Irish public system can be considered under the Directive. These are the procedures we’re asked about most.
Orthopaedics
Hip replacement
Total and partial hip replacement for arthritis and joint damage.
Read the guide
Orthopaedics
Knee replacement
Total and partial knee replacement to relieve pain and restore movement.
Read the guide
Ophthalmology
Cataract surgery
Day-case lens replacement, one or both eyes, under local anaesthetic.
Read the guide
General surgery
Hernia repair
Inguinal, umbilical and incisional hernia repair, often by keyhole.
Read the guide
General surgery
Gallbladder removal
Keyhole cholecystectomy for gallstones and gallbladder pain.
Read the guide
Women’s health
Hysterectomy
Keyhole, vaginal or abdominal hysterectomy for gynaecological conditions.
Read the guide
How it works
Your path to treatment in 3 simple steps
We match you with the right hospital, coordinate the paperwork, book travel and accommodation, and stay with you until your HSE claim is submitted.
- 01
Check your eligibility
Answer a few questions online. We confirm whether your treatment is likely to be covered and what you’ll need, starting with a GP or consultant referral.
- 02
Personalised treatment plan
Your coordinator matches you with a vetted hospital and surgeon, arranges a remote consultation and gives you a written plan with dates, costs and likely reimbursement.
- 03
Treatment, recovery and reimbursement
Travel for treatment, recover with aftercare support, then come home. We help you prepare and submit your HSE claim.
HSE Cross-Border Directive
How reimbursement actually works
The Directive is a reimbursement scheme, so it’s worth understanding before you book. Your coordinator will walk you through your own case.
It’s different from the HSE Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS), which covers treatment that isn’t available in Ireland. Compare the schemes →
1
Before you goGet a referral from your GP or hospital consultant for the treatment you need.
2
Before you goPrior authorisation is generally needed for inpatient (overnight) care. Day-case and outpatient care usually doesn’t need it.
3
AbroadYou pay the hospital directly for your treatment and keep every invoice and receipt.
4
Back homeClaim from the HSE with your referral, invoices, receipts and the HSE claim forms.
5
ReimbursedThe HSE pays you back eligible costs, up to what the treatment would cost in the Irish public system.
Travel, accommodation and companion costs are generally not reimbursed. We’ll give you a written estimate of your likely reimbursement before you commit.
Take back control of your healthcare
Replace uncertainty with a clear plan, a set date and a team managing the process for you.
A clear timeline from the start
Dates for consultation, surgery and travel set out in your plan.
More choice of hospital
Accredited hospitals across Europe, chosen for your procedure.
Confidence and clarity
Know your options, costs and likely reimbursement before you commit.
A supported recovery
Aftercare planned before you travel, with your GP kept informed.
About Treated
Irish-run, patient-first coordination
Treated helps people in Ireland use their right to healthcare abroad under the EU Cross-Border Healthcare Directive. We organise hospitals, surgeons, travel and paperwork so you can focus on getting better.
We’re not the HSE and we don’t decide reimbursement. Our job is to make the process clear, prepare you properly and make sure nothing is missed.
30EU & EEA countries covered by the Directive
1Named coordinator for every patient
2 minOnline eligibility check
2–3 hrsTypical direct flight to Spain or Portugal
FAQs
Healthcare abroad, answered
Straight answers about the HSE Cross-Border Directive and treatment abroad from Ireland.
What is the EU Cross-Border Healthcare Directive?
It’s an EU law (Directive 2011/24/EU) that lets people entitled to public healthcare in one EU country have treatment in another EU or EEA country and be reimbursed by their home health service. In Ireland, the HSE runs the scheme through its Cross-Border Directive National Contact Point.
Who is eligible under the HSE Cross-Border Directive?
Anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland who is entitled to public patient treatment can apply, for treatment that’s available in the Irish public system. You need a referral from a GP or hospital consultant, as you would for that treatment in Ireland.
How much does the HSE reimburse?
Up to the cost the same treatment would have had in the Irish public system, and not more than you actually paid. If the hospital abroad charges more than the Irish public rate, you cover the difference. We give you a written estimate before you decide.
Do I have to pay upfront?
Yes. Under the Directive you pay the hospital abroad and then claim the money back from the HSE, so make sure you can cover the cost until your claim is processed.
Do I need prior authorisation?
Prior authorisation from the HSE is generally needed for inpatient care, meaning treatment with an overnight stay. Day-case and outpatient care usually doesn’t need it. Where it’s needed, we help you apply before you travel.
Are flights and accommodation covered?
No. The HSE reimburses the cost of the healthcare itself. Travel, accommodation and companion costs are generally your own, although we can arrange them for you.
Is this the same as the Treatment Abroad Scheme?
No. The Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS) is for treatment that isn’t available in Ireland, approved in advance by the HSE. The Cross-Border Directive covers treatment that is available in Ireland, which you choose to have elsewhere in the EU.
Can I use the Directive if I have private health insurance?
Yes. The Directive is based on public entitlement, so reimbursement is at the public rate. You can’t be reimbursed twice for the same costs, so check with your insurer about anything they may cover.
Ready to see if you qualify?
Answer a few short questions about your treatment and referral. A coordinator will come back to you with your options, free and with no obligation.