Ireland
Regulations on entry, stay, residence, and treatment access for people living with HIV
The categories of restriction are:
- Unavailable information - we do not have any information about entry, short-term stay, or long-term stay restrictions.
Restrictions on entry to Ireland
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on entry to Ireland based on HIV status.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Ireland does not have any HIV-related restrictions on entry.
The Immigration Service Delivery of the Irish Department of Justice has a list of supporting documents that should be included with a Tourist Visa application and none of those documents makes reference to HIV or the general health of the applicant.
Restrictions on short-term stay in Ireland
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on short-term stay in Ireland based on HIV status.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Ireland does not have any HIV-related restrictions on short-term stay.
The Immigration Service Delivery of the Irish Department of Justice has a list of supporting documents that should be included with the Visa type Short Stay (C) application and none of those documents makes reference to HIV or the general health of the applicant.
Restrictions on long-term stay in Ireland
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on long-term stay in Ireland based on HIV status.
If you are from a country outside the European Union or Switzerland and come to Ireland to work, study, live or join family for more than 90 days, you must register your immigration permission with your local immigration office. In this case, the Immigration Service Delivery of the Irish Department of Justice has a list of supporting documents that should be included with a visa application and none of those documents makes reference to HIV or the general health of the applicant.
Treatment access in Ireland
The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in Ireland. There is no evidence that non-nationals are restricted from accessing treatment in the same way as nationals.
HIV medication and care is available free of charge in Ireland under the public health system. Legal status does not affect this and you do not need to receive your diagnosis in Ireland to access treatment for free. Public HIV clinics are located within hospitals in Ireland. A list of HIV clinics is available here.
When moving to Ireland, it is recommended to bring at least an 8-week supply of HIV medication to cover the waiting time before a first HIV clinic appointment. Travelling with HIV medication is generally not an issue. If you lose your medication or are unable to bring it, contact your HIV clinic immediately upon arrival. For in depth information on entitlement to healthcare services in Ireland, see here.
IOM reports that regular migrants considered as being ordinarily residents in Ireland by the Health Service Executive (HSE) have equal access to health services as nationals. Under the 1970 and 2007 Health Acts, migrants of non–European Union (EU) or non–European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries who prove they are ordinary residents and will remain in Ireland for at least a year are entitled to a Category 1 Medical Card, which grants the cardholder access to free or subsidised health services. Migrants with irregular status do not receive a medical card, and they are entitled only to essential medical treatment and services.
Under the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) (2016), suspected trafficked victims are entitled to medical and psychological care. The HSE also provides medical services to human trafficking victims and migrant women in prostitution with their Women’s Health Project. Under the Child Care Act (1991) and the International Protection Act (2015), the HSE is responsible for the full needs of separated children seeking asylum in the country.
The DOJ provides a clear and transparent set of rules and regulations about migration and immigration permission, as well as guidelines for applicants, which are easily accessible on the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) website. Citizens Information (a statutory body which supports the provision of information, advice and advocacy relating to public and social services) clearly outlines and provides access to rules, regulations, laws and rights around several issues, including health, social welfare, the environment, education and training, housing, and employment – and includes specific information for migrants. The information is available online in English and Irish.
Sources
The HIV Justice Network's Global HIV Criminalisation Database
Visit the Ireland page on the Global HIV Criminalisation Database to see more information about known HIV criminalisation laws in this country, an overview of how the laws are used, and any significant advocacy developments.
UNAIDS Global AIDS monitoring data
This information about access to HIV services comes from UNAIDS https://lawsandpolicies.unaids.org/, a platform to view data on HIV-related laws and policies. This is information provided by national authorities and civil society and may contradict other sources.
Migrant populations
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Migrants are able to access HIV services | N/A |
Refugees and asylum seekers
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
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This site focuses on information about HIV travel. Please also consult your own Foreign Office/Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, or the local consulate of the country you are visiting, to see what restrictions there are specifically for you as a citizen of your country, regardless of your HIV status.
