Ireland has become the core of international business and technology, making it one of the most flourishing countries in Europe. There are innumerable job opportunities open to professionals in different fields—including healthcare—and at diverse levels of expertise.

With its hospitality and warm culture, Ireland is the perfect place to experience life, both personally and professionally. The country offers a great work environment for GPs, and as countries around the world are lifting the COVID-19 travel restrictions, you should consider moving to Ireland. 

There are great compensation rates for medical professionals and even the GPs are not missing out. The choice to move to Ireland and gain employment as a GP is a life-transforming decision. However, do you know all there is to know about relocating to Ireland?

The Responsibilities of a General Practitioner  

Community spirit is a big part of living in Ireland and this is particularly evident in rural areas. There are many responsibilities a GP performs within the community. The General Practitioner is the first medical contact for patients within the community. 

As a GP you have the opportunity to practice primary health care, both physically and mentally, to individuals and families. A GP develops an ongoing relationship with patients and provides progressive care. You’re also responsible for performing procedure tests and treating medical conditions. 

A GP can work as a team—with specialist doctors, nurses, pharmacists, paramedics, and other medical professionals—to ensure the whole body care of patients. These medical professionals are active in the early detection of health conditions and, in most cases, prescribing medicines for preventative diseases. They refer patients to specialized medical doctors for consultation. 

What are the skills I would need as a General Practitioner?

As the first point of contact in the healthcare system, a GP must have several essential skills to provide medical advice and conduct medical care for patients. 

General practitioners need the following skills to liaise with medical professionals and patients in the community. 

• Communication Skills
• Problem-solving Skills
• Detail-Oriented
• Professional Etiquette
• Business Management 
• Interpersonal Skills
• Decision-Making 
• Career Advancement
• Patient Care Management

A regular GP appointment schedule lasts for about 10 minutes with each patient. Most GPs in Ireland are self-employed with rewarding compensation. 

A general practitioner earns an average of  €98,407 per year. However, the amount of a GP’s salary depends on the size of the practice or the location of the practice.

All you need to know before relocating to work as a GP in Ireland

As healthcare professionals are always in demand, you would need to stand out from the ever-expanding crowd of health professionals when you move to Ireland. If you are looking to relocate to Ireland and practise as a GP, these are the tips and realities you need to consider to ease the process of moving. 

• Conduct in-depth research

The first step to take before relocating to practise in Ireland is to carry out in-depth research. Starting afresh or kicking off your career as a GP in another country can seem frightening. The future of the unknown can be uncertain. 

It is important to conduct extensive research relating to all the requirements you will need to live and work in Ireland. The research can cover pertinent issues, ranging from job vacancies, work visa, accommodation, and cost of living, to insurance. It’s also important to familiarise yourself with the Irish tax system and also other potentially personal decisions you might need to make further down the line. If you plan on raising a family there it’s good to know where the local schools are nearby and how this might have an impact on your working hours and commute times.

• Registration

All medical practitioners in Ireland must register with the Irish Medical Council. Without registering with the Irish Medical Council, you may reduce your chances of practicing as a GP when you move to Ireland. The Irish Medical Council is the regulatory body governing medical practitioners in Ireland. 

Before you relocate, you need to confirm that you are eligible to become a part of the Irish Medical Council. If you qualify for eligibility, you can create an account on the Medical Council website. 

After creating an account, you must fill out the application form. You would also have to upload some credentials to confirm your eligibility. The Medical Council will review your documents and check if it meets their criteria. 

It takes about six weeks for your application to be complete after the Medical Council receives your application. You can find the complete process of registration on the Irish Medical Council website. It is advisable to complete this step before you arrive in Ireland. 

• Employment Visa

A work visa permits you to apply for employment as a GP in Ireland. GPs looking to work in Ireland can apply for the Atypical Working Scheme (Employment Visa), to get full-time employment short-term employment. 

You can apply for a work visa online, preferably three months before you travel to Ireland. The waiting time for the full-time work employment visa takes about 13 weeks. 

• Get Insured

Insurance for GPs is necessary if you intend to move to Ireland. Professional Indemnity insurance is ideal for GPs in Ireland because it gives legal protection if responsible or accused of negligence or a mistake when caring for a patient.

Although some employers provide professional indemnity insurance to their employees, it is recommended that you discuss getting indemnity insurance with your employer before accepting a job offer. If your employment does not come with indemnity insurance, there are several professional indemnity insurance providers in Ireland you can opt for. Some of these providers are medical protection in Ireland, medisec, challenge, bizbroker, and obf group insurance. Each of them provides several different packages and prices. Shop around and pick a provider that suits your needs and you feel comfortable with.

• Personal Public Service Number

The Personal Public Number is like your personal tax number that gives you access to local services and payment of your salary. Upon your arrival in Ireland, either as an employed GP or about to be an employed GP, you will need to apply for a Personal Public Service (PPS) Number.   

The Local Social Welfare Office in Ireland would be the place to apply for your PPS Number. After getting your PPS Number, give the number to your employer to ensure that there is a minimal deduction of tax from your salary. 

• Income Tax

All employees in Ireland must present a tax return. Ireland’s financial year is from the first of January to the thirty-first of December. Ensure you pay all your income tax before the stipulated time to avoid paying a fine.   

• English Language 

The comprehension of the English Language is crucial if you want to move to Ireland as a General Practitioner. If English is not your first language or you have a substandard comprehension of the English Language, you will need to take the IELTS Exam.  

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is created to help you study, work, or migrate to a country where English is the native language. The exam assesses your ability to read, speak, write, and listen. You must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English Language to boost your chances of gaining employment as a GP and moving to Ireland. This is a great exam to have on your CV when applying for GP roles in Ireland.

• Bank Account

You will need an Irish Bank Account when you relocate to Ireland to provide your employer with your payment details. To set up an Irish bank account, visit the bank with proof of your address and your letter of employment. 

General Practice Training in Ireland

General Practitioners undergo general practice training for four years in Ireland. But first, you must gain admission to study medicine in one of the six medical schools (RCSI, UCD, NUI Galway, UCC, and University of Limerick) by having 600 points on your leaving certificate. 

You will also need to take the Health Professions Admissions Test (HPTA) to evaluate your numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, cognitive, and interpersonal skills. 

After your acceptance into one of the six medical schools, it will take five years to study general and emergency medicine. During the final year of study and before graduation from medical school, you will need to take the membership entrance exam for the Irish College of General Practitioners. After graduation, the Health Service Executive (HSE) will attach you to the appropriate work setting as an intern. 

The training for a GP takes four years. During these four years, you will gain knowledge through lectures and practical training about what it means to be a General Practitioner. In the first two years of the training, you will gather experience within the hospital settings, and in the last two years will have yourself working under supervision within a GP setting.  

After the completion of your GP’s practical training, you can choose to go into practice or progress to further your training into specialisation. As a specialist, you become a consultant in a competitive and highly remunerated position. 

Conclusion

Ireland is the perfect environment to maintain a professional career in the healthcare industry. The environment gives room for flexibility to balance your personal life and work-life as a General Practitioner. 

When you consider moving to Ireland to work as a GP, you can find all the tips you need to sketch out your plans. Conduct research about the country, the city you would like to live and work in, job openings, tax, and if you are eligible to take the IELTS exam.

Register with the Irish Medical Council as you cannot hop into the country and assume you can work with a GP practice. Apply for your work visa because you can’t work as a GP in Ireland without your work visa. 

Do not forget your insurance. It is advisable to be on the safer side if a mishap comes knocking. Apply to get your PPS number after your arrival and resumption of practice. Always pay your income tax and get an Irish bank account. 

Ireland is a fantastic country to work in. It’s a multicultural country with a strong and educated workforce. Ireland is also a beautiful country. There’s so much to do and see that you’ll never be without something to do on the weekend.

If you’re interested in relocating to Ireland to become a GP, check out our wide range of jobs on our website here or register using the button below.