An online doctor lets you consult an Irish-registered doctor by phone or video without leaving home. In Ireland, online doctors can assess common illnesses, issue prescriptions and sick certs, order tests, and advise on next steps — usually within minutes. With Dooctor.ie you can typically be seen within around 20 minutes, 7 days a week, from €35, and be referred to a walk-in clinic if a physical examination is needed.
Life doesn’t wait for appointment slots. Whether it’s a UTI on a Sunday, a child with a temperature at bedtime, or a repeat prescription you’ve run out of, sometimes you need a doctor now — not next week. That’s exactly what an online doctor is for.
This guide explains everything you need to know about seeing a doctor online in Ireland: how it works, what it can treat, what it costs, when you’ll still need to be seen in person, and how to get started.
What is an online doctor?
An online doctor is a fully qualified, Irish-registered doctor you consult remotely — by phone or video call — instead of visiting a clinic in person. It’s sometimes called telehealth or a virtual consultation. You describe your symptoms or health need, the doctor assesses you, and they advise on treatment, issue a prescription or sick cert where appropriate, arrange tests, or ask you to attend in person if a closer look is needed.
The care is held to the same professional and clinical standards as an in-person visit. The difference is convenience: no travelling, no waiting room, and no need to take a half-day off work.
How online doctor consultations work in Ireland
The process with Dooctor.ie is straightforward:
- Register and describe your need. Complete a short suitability questionnaire or book a consultation, telling us what’s going on. You can register here.
- Consult a doctor. An Irish-registered doctor reviews your information and speaks with you by phone or video. You’ll usually be seen within around 20 minutes.
- Get your outcome. Depending on your needs, the doctor may provide advice, send a prescription to your pharmacy, issue a sick cert, arrange blood tests or a scan, or recommend you attend a clinic.
You can consult a Dooctor.ie doctor from virtually anywhere in the country, 7 days a week — including evenings and bank holidays.
What can an online doctor treat?
Online consultations are well suited to a wide range of everyday health needs. Common examples include:
Everyday illnesses
- Coughs, colds and flu-like illness — see our guides to telling a cold, flu or COVID-19 apart and a cough that won’t go away.
- Sore throats and suspected tonsillitis — read sore throat and tonsillitis: causes, treatment and red flags.
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) — one of the most common conditions treated online.
- Hay fever and seasonal allergies — see managing hay fever in Ireland.
- Skin complaints such as rashes and eczema, often with a supporting photo.
- Digestive issues like heartburn and acid reflux.
- Migraines and recurring headaches.
Prescriptions
- New prescriptions where clinically appropriate, and repeat prescriptions for medicines you’re already stable on.
- Contraception, including access via the Free Contraception Scheme.
Certificates and forms
- Sick certs (medical certificates) for work or Illness Benefit.
- Medical and employment forms.
Health advice and mental wellbeing
- Confidential support for concerns such as anxiety and sleep problems.
- Advice on when you actually need antibiotics and general health questions.
When you’ll still need an in-person visit
Online care is powerful, but it has limits — and a good service will tell you when you need to be seen. You’ll usually be directed to a clinic if your problem needs a physical examination (for example, listening to your chest, examining an ear or a wound), certain tests or procedures, or if your symptoms suggest something that needs hands-on assessment.
The good news with Dooctor.ie is that this handover is seamless: if an online doctor decides you need to be seen, you can walk into any of our 15 clinics nationwide with no appointment. Many telehealth-only services leave you without a clear next step — we don’t.
Some medicines also can’t be prescribed online, particularly certain controlled drugs, sedatives and strong painkillers, which require an in-person review.
When to skip online care and seek emergency help
Online consultations are not for emergencies. Call 112 or 999, or go to your nearest emergency department, if you or someone else has: difficulty breathing, chest pain, severe bleeding, signs of a stroke (face drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech), a seizure, a serious allergic reaction, or a rash with a fever that doesn’t fade when pressed. For a feverish baby under three months or a child who is very unwell, seek urgent help — see our guide on children’s fever: what’s normal and when to worry.
How much does an online doctor cost in Ireland?
Dooctor.ie is built around affordability, with consultations from €35. Costs vary depending on the type of consultation and any tests or treatment involved. You can see current pricing on our Prices page. If you use online healthcare regularly, our subscription plans may offer better value.
Is seeing a doctor online safe?
Yes — when it’s done properly by registered professionals. Dooctor.ie’s doctors are Irish-registered and follow the same clinical and prescribing standards online as in person. That includes reviewing your history and current medicines, checking for red flags, and being honest when something needs a face-to-face assessment rather than a remote one. Your information is handled confidentially in line with data protection and medical confidentiality standards.
The benefits of using an online doctor
- Speed: be seen usually within around 20 minutes, rather than waiting days.
- Convenience: consult from home, work or on the go — no travel, no waiting room.
- 7-day access: available evenings, weekends and bank holidays.
- Continuity: if you need in-person care, walk in to one of our clinics — online and physical care join up.
- Value: affordable consultations from €35, with subscription options.
Online doctor vs walk-in clinic: which should I choose?
Both have their place, and with Dooctor.ie you don’t have to choose one forever:
- Choose online for prescriptions, sick certs, advice, and many common illnesses that don’t need an examination.
- Choose a walk-in clinic when you need to be physically examined, need certain tests, minor injury care, or prefer to be seen in person.
Learn more in our complete guide to walk-in clinics in Ireland.
Frequently asked questions
Can I see a doctor online in Ireland today?
Yes. With Dooctor.ie you can consult an Irish-registered doctor online 7 days a week, usually within around 20 minutes, including evenings and bank holidays.
Can an online doctor give me a prescription?
Yes, where it’s clinically appropriate. The doctor can send an electronic prescription to your chosen pharmacy, often the same day. Some medicines still require an in-person review.
Can I get a sick cert from an online doctor?
Yes. If you’re genuinely unfit for work, an online doctor can issue a sick cert for your employer or for an Illness Benefit claim — see our sick cert guide.
How much is an online doctor consultation?
Dooctor.ie consultations start from €35, with costs depending on the type of consultation. Current pricing is on our Prices page.
Do I need to be registered to use the online doctor?
You’ll complete a short registration and questionnaire so the doctor has what they need to care for you safely. It only takes a few minutes.
What happens if the online doctor can’t treat me remotely?
They’ll advise you to attend one of our walk-in clinics for an in-person assessment, or arrange the right test or referral — so you always have a clear next step.
See an Irish-registered doctor online today. Fast, affordable and available 7 days a week. Book an online consultation, request an online prescription, or find a walk-in clinic near you. Questions? Call 0818 010 999.
