Atypical Working Scheme (AWS) for Locum GPs in Ireland: Complete 6-Month Primary Care Guide

For General Practitioners qualified outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland—such as doctors practising in the UK (non-Irish/UK citizens), Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, or the Middle East—the Atypical Working Scheme (AWS) for Locum GPs is the fastest legal pathway to work as a high-earning Locum GP in Ireland.

1. What is the Atypical Working Scheme for Locum GPs?

Administered by Irish Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) at the Department of Justice, the Atypical Working Scheme allows non-EEA doctors who hold active Irish Medical Council (IMC) registration to work as short-term locums in Ireland’s Primary Care sector (General Practice surgeries and Out-of-Hours GP co-ops) for up to 6 months.

It is ideal for doctors who want to:

• Experience working in Irish General Practice before committing to a permanent relocation and Critical Skills Employment Permit.
• Earn competitive Irish sessional locum rates (€900 – €1,250 per day) during a 3-to-6 month working sabbatical.

2. Strict Sector Separation & the Single-Agency Rule

ISD enforces three mandatory compliance rules that every non-EEA locum doctor must understand before applying:

1. Primary Care vs. Hospital Sector Separation: AWS permission is granted strictly for Primary Care (General Practice) or the Hospital Sector. A doctor holding Primary Care AWS approval cannot take hospital SHO/Registrar shifts under the same permission.
2. Single-Agency Rule: Throughout your 6-month AWS permission, you must be registered and contracted with only one employment agency. MedConnect provides your official contract for service and ISD sponsorship letter.
3. Apply From Outside Ireland: You must submit your online AWS application and receive your formal Letter of Approval while residing outside the State before travelling to Ireland.

3. Step-by-Step AWS Application Checklist

• Step 1: Confirm active registration with the Irish Medical Council (IMC) (Specialist Division in General Practice or eligible General Registration).
• Step 2: Register with MedConnect so our compliance team can complete your Garda Vetting, verify your medical indemnity, and issue your signed Primary Care Locum Contract.
• Step 3: Submit your online AWS application via the ISD portal along with the €250 non-refundable fee and your passport.
• Step 4: Once your Letter of Approval issues (and entry visa, if you are a visa-required national), travel to Ireland and begin your pre-booked GP locum roster.