Don’t Throw Away Your Receipts! How to Claim 20% Back on Medical Expenses in 2026
DUBLIN — Did you visit a GP, a dentist, or buy a prescription in 2025? If the answer is yes, you are likely owed money by the Revenue Commissioners.
While most people focus on the Rent Tax Credit, the Medical Expense Relief remains one of the most under-claimed benefits in Ireland. Unlike other credits, there is no upper limit on how much you can claim. Whether you spent €50 or €5,000, you are entitled to get 20% of that amount back tax-free.
Here is the complete guide on what you can claim and how to upload your receipts instantly.
1. What Counts as a “Medical Expense”?
Many people think this is only for serious hospital visits. That is incorrect. You can claim relief on everyday health costs, including:
- GP & Consultant Visits: Every time you pay €60 to see a doctor, you get €12 back.
- Prescriptions: Any medicine prescribed by a doctor.
- Physiotherapy: Must be a referred practitioner.
- Laser Eye Surgery: A huge claim! (e.g., if surgery costs €3,000, you get €600 back).
- Orthodontics (Braces): Essential for parents with teenagers.
- Ambulance Fees & Nursing Home Care.
(Note: You cannot claim for routine dental checks like cleaning, but you CAN claim for complex procedures like root canals.)
2. Do I Need to Keep Paper Receipts?
No. The days of keeping a shoebox full of paper receipts are over. Revenue has a “Receipt Tracker” service on their app and website. You can simply take a photo of your receipt and upload it immediately. Once uploaded, you can throw the paper away.
3. How to Claim (The 3-Minute Process)
You can claim this relief via myAccount on Revenue.ie.
- Log in and go to “Receipts Tracker”.
- Upload your medical receipts throughout the year.
- Submit: At the end of the year (or now, for 2025), complete your Income Tax Return. The system will automatically add up your uploaded receipts and calculate your refund.
Top Tip: If you have private health insurance, you can only claim the 20% relief on the amount not covered by your insurer.
4. The 4-Year Rule
Did you get braces in 2022? Or have a baby in 2023? Good news: You can claim back medical expenses for the last four years. This could result in a refund check worth hundreds, or even thousands, of Euros landing in your bank account next week.
Stop leaving money on the table. Check your old receipts today.
(Disclaimer: Always verify details on Revenue.ie)