Moving to Ireland and HIV

Em Português: Mudando-se para a Irlanda e o HIV

En Español:  Mudarse a Irlanda y el VIH

COVID-19 Travel Information: Before you travel, check out the latest Government Advisory in operation for all travel to and from Ireland.

If you are living with HIV and are moving to Ireland for the first time, or returning to live in Ireland, you will need to make contact with an HIV clinic to ensure your HIV medical care and treatment is not interrupted.

HIV medication and care is available free of charge in Ireland under the public health system.  Your legal status does not affect this (e.g. refugees or asylum seekers), and you do not need to receive your diagnosis in Ireland to access treatment for free.

It is advisable to contact your chosen HIV clinic before you arrive in Ireland, or as soon as you arrive in Ireland.  Public HIV clinics are located within hospitals in Ireland.  Depending on where you will be living in Ireland you can choose from the following:

CountyHospital Name and LocationHIV Clinic NameContact details
Dublin (South)St. James’s Hospital

James’s Street
Dublin 8

The GUIDE Clinic – Hospital 5www.guideclinic.ie
Tel: (0)1 416 2315
or (0)1 416 2316
Dublin (South)St. Vincent’s University Hospital

Elm Park
Dublin 4

Department of Infectious Diseases,
1st Floor, Clinical Services Building
Tel: (0)1 221 3363

Email: idnursereferrals@svuh.ie

Dublin (North)The Mater Hospital

Eccles Street
Dublin 7

Infectious Diseases,
Clinic 6, Level 1, Whitty Wing
Tel: (0)1 803 2063
Dublin (North)Beaumont Hospital

Beaumont Road
Dublin 9

Infectious Diseases Clinic, Ground Floor, St. John’s WardTel: (0)1 809 3006
or (0)1 809 2211
GalwayGalway University Hospital

Newcastle Road
Galway

Infectious Diseases ClinicTel: (0)91 525 200
CorkCork University Hospital

Wilton
Cork

Infectious Diseases ClinicTel: (0)21 492 2795
LimerickUniversity Hospital Limerick

St. Nessan’s Road
Dooradoyle
Co. Limerick

Department of Infectious DiseasesTel: (0)61 482 382

HIV clinic staff will need official medical documents from your current HIV clinic, doctor, or consultant with the following information:

  • details of your HIV positive diagnosis (including the date of the diagnosis).
  • a list of your current (and any previous) HIV medications.
  • the results of your last 3 blood tests (CD4 counts and Viral Load tests), if possible.
  • records of any vaccines for influenza, pneumonia, or hepatitis A and/or B. If you have ever had a baseline chest x-ray or skin test for Tuberculosis (TB), that would also be helpful for the clinic staff to know.

It will be helpful to the HIV clinic if you can get the documents translated into English.

We advise you to bring at least 8 weeks supply of your HIV medications with you when moving to Ireland. This is to ensure you have enough medication while you wait for an appointment at the HIV clinic.  You can travel with your HIV medication; there should be no problem bringing your medication into Ireland.

If you lose your HIV medication, or if you cannot bring your HIV medication with you for any reason, contact your chosen HIV clinic immediately on your arrival.

More information and support

If you have further questions or need any HIV-related supports, please contact our Community Support team.

Gay and bisexual men can contact our MPOWER Programme outreach team.

You can get more information about Living with HIV in Ireland in our Self-Help Guide.