Popular Irish health insurer announces price hikes as families advised to 'shop around'

On Friday 28th November, Irish Life Health has announced adjustments to the prices of its health insurance plans which will apply from 1 January 2026.

The changes will result in an average increase of 5% on the gross premium across plan ranges. These price changes will apply for new customers from 1 January 2026, and existing customers whose renewal is due from 1 January 2026 onwards.

Ann Marie Nestor, Managing Director, Irish Life Health said in a statement: “Increases in the cost of delivering healthcare continue to be a challenge that all health insurers are facing.  People today benefit from more advanced and innovative treatment options, much of which is delivered in specialised settings.

The essential improvements we are seeing in our healthcare settings mean that people are getting access to better and quicker treatment. This is very positive in terms of the standard of care our customers receive, but these improvements do, in turn, affect premium prices.

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I am acutely aware this comes at a difficult time for many households and it’s important to us that we offer a broad range of plans to meet different needs and budgets. We are also committed to investing in enhanced services that improve our customers’ experience such as better digital tools and proactive health supports.”

1st January 2026 (Undiscounted rates):

For a family of two adults and two kids, their insurance will go from €2,594.00 to €2,706.60 on MyPlan500.

For a single adult, it will go from €1,089 to €1,145.

The Health Insurance Authority (HIA) has been notified of Irish Life Health’s decision to increase prices across a range of health insurance plans, with an average rise of 5% on adult premiums. 

The HIA said in a statement: "We know price increases are unwelcome, particularly during a time of rising living costs and following an earlier rise in October. While insurers set prices based on factors such as medical inflation and claims costs, affordability must remain a priority. Consumers may find better value by shopping around and focusing on the benefits most important to them.

HIA Chief Executive, Brian Lee, said: "Our priority is to ensure consumers have clear, impartial information to make informed choices. We encourage everyone to review their plan annually and use our free comparison tool to find the best value for their needs."

Consumers can switch to any plan at renewal. Use the HIA free comparison tool at www.hia.ie or contact them at info@hia.ie or 01 406 0080 for impartial advice.

Tips to Save Money

1. Shop around – older plans may offer less value than newer ones.
2. Increase your hospital excess – if you’re in good health, a higher excess can reduce premiums.
3. Reduce cover for benefits you don’t use – for example, if you have a medical card, consider a plan with lower day-to-day cover.