The short version
- Every family gets Child Benefit of €140 a month per child, plus a one-off €280 New Baby Grant with the first payment.
- Maternity care is free under the Maternity and Infant Care Scheme, including free GP checks for your baby at 2 and 6 weeks. You don't need a medical card.
- Paid leave: 26 weeks of Maternity Benefit, 2 weeks of Paternity Benefit and 9 weeks of Parent's Benefit each, at €299 a week in 2026 (€309 from January 2027).
- Children under 8 get free GP visits, and the ECCE programme gives up to 2 years of free preschool.
Most free baby stuff lists are written for the U.S., and the registry welcome boxes on them only ship to U.S. addresses. In Ireland, the best free baby stuff comes from the State: cash payments, free healthcare and free preschool. Here's the free baby stuff in Ireland you can claim in 2026, and what each one needs.
Free baby stuff in Ireland at a glance
| Scheme | What you get | Income test? |
|---|---|---|
| Child Benefit and New Baby Grant | €140 a month, plus €280 once | No |
| Maternity and Infant Care Scheme | Free maternity care and baby checks | No |
| Maternity Benefit | €299 a week for 26 weeks | No, but needs PRSI |
| Paternity Benefit | €299 a week for 2 weeks | No, but needs PRSI |
| Parent's Benefit | €299 a week for 9 weeks per parent | No, but needs PRSI |
| GP visit card for under-8s | Free GP visits | No |
| ECCE free preschool | 15 free hours a week | No |
| Imagination Library | A free book every month, where available | No |
1. Child Benefit and the New Baby Grant
Child Benefit is €140 a month for every child, whatever your income, and twins get one and a half times the rate. For babies born or adopted on or after 1 December 2024, a €280 New Baby Grant is added to the first payment. It's often set up automatically once you register the birth. If not, apply through MyWelfare. Budget 2027 keeps Child Benefit at €140 a month.
2. Free maternity care
If you live in Ireland, your maternity care is free under the Maternity and Infant Care Scheme, even without a medical card. Contact your GP as soon as you know you're pregnant, ideally before week 12. Your antenatal visits are shared between your GP and your maternity unit or hospital, and public hospital care for the birth is free.
After the birth you get 2 free GP visits: a check of your baby at 2 weeks, and a check of you and your baby at 6 weeks.
3. Paid leave: Maternity, Paternity and Parent's Benefit
All three pay €299 a week in 2026, rising to €309 a week from January 2027 under Budget 2027. They depend on your PRSI contributions, not your income.
Maternity Benefit is paid for 26 weeks to women on maternity leave from employment or self-employment. At least 2 weeks of leave must start before the end of the week your baby is due.
The other parent can get 2 weeks of Paternity Benefit while on paternity leave after the birth or adoption.
On top of that, each parent can take 9 weeks of paid parent's leave in the first 2 years. Apply for all three through MyWelfare, and check your PRSI record first.
4. Free GP visits for under-8s
Every child under 8 living in Ireland can get a GP visit card, with no income test. It covers free GP visits, assessments at ages 2 and 5, out-of-hours urgent GP care and care for children with asthma. Register online with the HSE or by post, and choose a GP who's part of the scheme.
5. Free preschool (ECCE)
The Early Childhood Care and Education programme gives every child free preschool for 3 hours a day, 5 days a week, over 38 weeks of the programme year. It's a universal 2-year programme, open to children aged 2 years and 8 months by 31 August, at participating services. You only pay for extra hours.
6. Free books every month
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library mails a free, age-matched book to your child every month until age 5, in the areas where it runs. Check the site to see whether your area is covered. Our guide to free books for babies has more.
See every perk for families in Ireland, or compare with free baby stuff in the UK.
Frequently asked questions
What free stuff do you get when you have a baby in Ireland?
Child Benefit of €140 a month plus a one-off €280 New Baby Grant, free maternity care under the Maternity and Infant Care Scheme, free GP visits for children under 8 and up to 2 years of free ECCE preschool.
How much is the New Baby Grant in Ireland?
€280 per child, paid with the first month of Child Benefit for babies born or adopted on or after 1 December 2024.
How much is Maternity Benefit in 2026?
The standard rate is €299 a week for 26 weeks in 2026, rising to €309 a week from January 2027 under Budget 2027. It depends on your PRSI contributions.
Is maternity care free in Ireland?
Yes. If you live in Ireland, the Maternity and Infant Care Scheme covers your antenatal care with your GP and maternity unit, public hospital care for the birth, and GP checks for you and your baby at 2 and 6 weeks. You don't need a medical card.
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