The Waiting List Initiative

See if you are eligible

Fill out our simple form

The Waiting List Initiative

See if you are eligible

Fill out our simple form

The Waiting List Initiative

See if you are eligible

Fill out our simple form

The Waiting List Initiative

Medinet Ireland is one of Ireland’s leading and most trusted cross-border healthcare facilitators. We connect Irish patients with our partners in Spain, to help you receive the treatment you need without the extensive waiting time.

Under the EU Cross-Border Directive, Irish residents can access medical treatment in any other EU country. As part of this scheme, patients must be accompanied by a family member or friend, and reimbursement is under the European Cross Border Directive.

Our role is to help you find the best solution for your overdue knee or hip operation. With our expertise, Medinet Ireland can support you through every stage of your healthcare journey.

We provide a trusted, streamlined journey to faster, high-quality care – so all you have to do is focus on what really matters: your health and well-being.

How it works – Why go to Spain?

Spain is an excellent choice for knee or hip operations under the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive because it combines highly qualified orthopaedic specialists, modern medical facilities, shorter waiting times, and significantly lower treatment costs compared to many other EU countries.

With Medinet Ireland, you will have access to an Irish chaperone throughout your stay in Spain, who are there to advise and assist you at every step of your journey. You and your travel companion will also be fully cared for in an Irish run hotel, close to the nearby beach, so you can feel at home whilst you recover – just with a little more sunshine!

Find out more about the full process, from approval to recovery

How it works

Testimonials

    
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Cassandra Scannell 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I cannot recommend Medinet Ireland highly enough. After years of waiting for treatment for endometriosis in Ireland and struggling with the impact it had on my daily life, Medinet Ireland arranged for me to travel to Madrid to be treated by a specialist. From start to finish, the process was professional, supportive, and well organised. The specialist I met was incredibly knowledgeable, and the surgery I received has made a huge difference to my quality of life. For the first time in years, I am able to enjoy a much better standard of living and feel hopeful about the future. I am extremely grateful to the entire team at Medinet Ireland for helping me access the care I needed when I needed it most.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Emily Fowler 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Absolutely amazing experience, Charlotte made the whole experience seamless and was there to answer every question. Took a lot of stress off and already stressful time would 100% recommend them to anyone who was thinking of across the border scheme for treatment.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Sorcha Foy 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I dealt with Maria for my surgery abroad. She was nearly at my beck and call any question or concern I had was answered and I was so at ease. She kept me in the loop at all stages. Post op she was also still answering questions and liaising with my team for follow ups. Couldn't recommend enough.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Mary Ryan 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I went to medinet because the waiting lists in Ireland were too long for endometriosis care and I have to say I am so glad I did and wish I did it earlier. Charlotte was so kind,empathic and understanding to me and helped me through every step of the process, from the initial filling out of the application forms to actually getting there and arranged everything for me including my flights and hotel. The healthcare I received for my endometriosis was so good and the staff were so efficient and kind to me from the second I got there. Even the hotel that Charlotte arranged treated me like royalty from the second I arrived and were so good to me giving me room service, early breakfasts and bringing me everything I asked for 24/7 and just in general brilliant costumer care. It was honestly the best care I have received in my life and I have to say I will recommending everyone I know stuck on a waiting list to medinet because they really are the BEST out there <3 Thank you so much for changing my life and for all you have provided. <3
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Paul McDonald 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had a great experience went to estapona for gallbladder removal the doctor Pablo Sandz and his team were amazing Charlotte from Medinet was brilliant over all highly recommended
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   tony henderson 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Big thank you to Maria and everyone at Medinet..massive help every step of the way for my knee Surgery in Marbella Spain. Fantastic experience
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Philip 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I Contacted Charlotte from medinet ireland a few weeks ago about my lower spine problems with trappednerve with over 10 years . I was in a lot of pain and Charlotte was brilliant from the start . She send my scans to spinal surgeon in Spain and within 2 weeks I was over there getting scans . Im now after operation with over a week and no nerve pain.  I cant thank Charlotte enough.  I would advise anyone with any back or knee problems just make the call .

What is the EU Cross-Border Directive?

The Cross-Border Healthcare Directive is an EU law that allows EU citizens the right to receive medical treatment in any other EU country, accompanied by a friend or family member, and be reimbursed for care abroad by their home healthcare system.

This means that if you are facing long waiting lists for your knee or hip operation, you can choose to have your procedure in another EU member state, like Spain. The treatment will be paid for upfront, and Medinet Ireland will guide you through the reimbursement process to claim back the cost of the procedure.

Click here to learn more

NI Waiting list Reimbursement Scheme

This Scheme is a programme run by the Department of Health, Northern Ireland (DoH) which allows eligible residents of Northern Ireland to pay for private treatment abroad (initially in the Republic of Ireland, and now also in the EU) and then seek reimbursement from the DoH under certain conditions.

In short, if you’ve been on a waiting list in the NHS/HSC system in Northern Ireland for more than 52 weeks (one year), and you meet the rules, you may choose to get the treatment elsewhere, pay for it yourself, and then claim money back.

Learn more from the NHS NI

Our top 5 FAQs

How is Medinet different from other providers?

Unlike our competitors, we go beyond travel and surgery. Our service includes: pre-op assessments in Ireland, integrated consultant teams, post-op follow-up in Ireland, admin support for HSE reimbursement, access to physiotherapy and digital recovery tools. This ensures continuity of care and peace of mind throughout your journey, knowing that you will be fully supported by a clinical team on your return home after your surgery.

We go beyond travel and surgery. Our service includes:

Pre-op assessments in Ireland
Integrated consultant teams
Post-op follow-up in Ireland
Admin support for HSE reimbursement
Access to physiotherapy and digital recovery tools

This ensures continuity of care and peace of mind throughout your journey.

Who qualifies for treatment under the Directive?

To qualify for the treatment you must:

Be ordinarily resident in Ireland
Be entitled to public healthcare
Have a referral from an Irish GP or consultant
Be seeking a treatment that is publicly available in Ireland (Hips and Knees are)
Obtain prior authorization from the HSE (we help with this)

How are medical treatment costs reimbursed?

You pay for the treatment upfront. After your surgery, we help you submit a claim to the HSE. You’ll be reimbursed up to the cost of equivalent treatment in Ireland. We provide full admin support to make this process smooth. We ensure that our all inclusive cost is within the limits established by the HSE.