Fees
The Medical Council is introducing a phased increase to doctor registration and retention fees, effective from the 2026 annual retention process, which opens in late May 2026.
The fee structure has remained unchanged for over ten years, during which time the cost of medical regulation has grown considerably. To future-proof our regulatory capacity and ensure it remains fair, responsive, and effective for patients, doctors, and the public, the Medical Council requires sustainable funding. This increase in registration fees is therefore a necessary investment that will strengthen and secure a system that continues to serve us all well into the future.
Under the phased approach, a 10% increase will apply in 2026, followed by a further 10% increase in 2027.
Fees relating to first time registration in most categories, certificate requests and transfers between divisions of the register, will also be updated. Below you will find a breakdown of the registration and retention fees per cohort.
We have also prepared a list of Frequently Asked Questions to help address any queries in relation to the registration fee updates and they are available on our website here.
Methods of Payment
Please note that we are unable to accept payment over the phone. If you are having difficulties paying your fees online, please review our Payment FAQs document.
Credit / Visa Debit Cards
Payments may be made by Visa or Mastercard or by Visa Debit Card. Payments can be made online through the “Outstanding Payments” section of your Doctor’s Portal account.
By Bank Draft
Bank drafts are acceptable provided: a) they are in Euro and are payable at an Irish bank in Ireland. (If they are in Euro but payable at a foreign bank these will be returned as they will incur bank charges which of course differ from day to day.) OR b) they are acceptable in Sterling payable at a British bank in the U.K. OR c) they are acceptable in U.S. dollars payable at an American bank in the U.S.
Removal of Manual payment forms
Any entity within the European Economic Area processing electronic payments are required to have Strong Customer Authentication (SCA). As a result of implementing SCA the Medical Council can no longer accept any manual payment forms after the 25th December 2020.
Payments are not accepted over the phone, by direct debit, or by cheque.
Refund Policy
Refunds are granted under specific conditions, such as payment errors, overpayments, or unique circumstances like extended leave, maternity, adoptive, or surrogacy leave. We process refund requests following standard operating procedures to ensure consistency, accountability, and proper documentation.
Please take a moment to carefully consult our eligibility chart and the relevant checklist detailing the required documentation for registration before applying. This helps ensure that all necessary documents are submitted. Refunds cannot be granted to applicants whose documentation is incomplete, are ineligible for registration, or decide to withdraw their application.
We understand that the registration process can be quite detailed, and we are here to support you every step of the way. If you have any questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out.
If you are currently on maternity, adoptive, surrogacy or extended sick leave and wish to apply for a reduction in your annual retention fee, please follow the instructions outlined on the webpage: Reductions in Annual Retention Fees.
Please note that Registration fees are increasing for the 2026/2027 registration period under a phased approach. A 10% increase will apply in 2026, followed by a further 10% increase in 2027. The new fees are outlined below, per registration category.
Fees