Private expat health insurance in Ireland

Health insurance is not mandatory for everyone, but it is required or strongly expected for many visa types and newcomers.

If you are:

• A non-EU student or researcher
• Arriving for work or job-seeking
• Staying short-term or temporarily

You are usually expected to have private health insurance, especially during your initial stay.

Yes, this policy provides clear, visa-ready insurance documents and is suitable for many Irish visa and residence scenarios, including:

• First-year non-EU students
• Researchers and academic visitors
• Working Holiday participants
• New arrivals waiting to settle

Yes. You can sign up before arrival, without:

• A PPS number
• An Irish address
• An Irish bank account

Your insurance certificate and documents are available immediately after sign-up.

Immediately. Your policy documents will be waiting for you in your Feather account after you finish signing up. You can use these documents as proof of health insurance for your visa or residence permit application.

Expat health insurance has a maximum term limit of five years. This five-year term starts on the first day you arrive in Ireland. For example, if you moved to Ireland on the 1st of January 2020 but signed up for Expat Insurance on the 2nd of June 2021, you can only remain on the policy until the 1st of January 2025.

If you purchase a policy and the policy becomes active within 14 days of purchase, then you have 14 days to cancel your policy from the date of purchase and receive a full refund (as long as no claims were made during this period). However, if you purchase a policy with a start date in the future (over 14 days), then you have any time before the policy becomes active to cancel it and receive a full refund. After this period, you can still cancel anytime! Whenever you cancel, you would then no longer be charged during the next monthly billing cycle.

Yes, you'll have to pay upfront. We suggest paying the doctor or clinic as soon as possible to avoid any late fees. Following that, submit photos of all invoices, receipts, and documents related to the incident in your Feather account to get reimbursed. The reimbursement will be made to you, not to the doctor

Yes, dependents can be added to your plan. Please note that each dependent will have to have their own policy purchased, but we can add them all under one account for ease of access. To add a dependent, simply: 1. Sign up for expat insurance for yourself first (or for the person you want to be the main policyholder) 2. Once you sign up, log into your Feather account and click on your expat policy. 3. Click 'add dependents', then add the dependent. 4. The basic policy price for dependents under 18 years of age is the same (72 euros).

Yes, expat insurance will cover some dental treatment for new dental conditions requiring pain relief like simple fillings and cleanings. This treatment is covered for up to €500 per year Additional dental treatments like check-ups and teeth cleaning are not covered.

Yes, this policy is accepted for first-year non-EU student stays, where travel-style private insurance is permitted.

Important - From year 2 onwards, students usually need Irish-based private health insurance. This policy is designed for initial or limited periods

Yes, GP visits are covered if related to a new illness or medical condition that starts after the policy begins.

Keep in mind:

• You usually pay the GP first
• Then submit a claim for reimbursement

This policy is designed as a temporary solution. Most expats switch when they:

• Receive employer health insurance
• Join Irish private health insurance (Vhi, Laya, Irish Life)
• Become fully settled long-term

There is no fixed deadline, it depends on your situation and visa.

You can usually continue or extend coverage, depending on your total stay duration. If your situation changes (e.g. student → worker), our team can help you decide whether this policy is still suitable or if switching makes more sense.

No. This is expat private health insurance, designed for:

• New arrivals
• Short-term stays
• People without long-term residency

It is not equivalent to Irish domestic insurance such as Vhi, Laya, or Irish Life.

Yes, but most people no longer need it once they have long-term coverage. This policy is typically cancelled once:

• Employer insurance starts
• Irish private insurance is in place