📊 Physiotherapy Tax Relief at a Glance
- Relief rate: 20% of qualifying costs
- What qualifies: Treatments by CORU-registered physiotherapists
- Backdate period: Up to 4 years
- No threshold: Claim from the first euro spent
- Average session: €60-€80 (€12-€16 back per visit)
If you've been paying for physiotherapy treatments in Ireland, you could be entitled to claim back 20% of your costs through tax relief. Whether you're recovering from an injury, managing chronic pain, receiving post-surgical rehabilitation, or attending regular maintenance sessions for an ongoing condition, Revenue allows you to reclaim a significant portion of these expenses.
At MyTaxRebate.ie, our specialists help PAYE workers claim physiotherapy costs alongside all other medical expense reliefs they may be entitled to. We review your complete tax history going back four years to ensure you don't miss out on any refunds you're owed.
What Physiotherapy Expenses Qualify?
Tax relief applies to physiotherapy treatments provided by qualified, registered practitioners. The key requirement is that the physiotherapist must be registered with CORU (the Health and Social Care Professionals Council of Ireland). This registration ensures you're receiving treatment from a properly qualified professional, and it's essential for your claim to be valid.
The scope of qualifying treatments is broader than many people realise. It's not just about injury recovery—any physiotherapy provided by a registered practitioner for a medical purpose qualifies:
Qualifying Physiotherapy Treatments:
- Injury rehabilitation – Sports injuries, workplace injuries, road traffic accident recovery, slips and falls
- Post-surgical physiotherapy – Rehabilitation following operations such as knee replacements, hip replacements, shoulder surgery, spinal procedures, and ACL reconstruction
- Chronic pain management – Treatment for persistent back pain, neck pain, sciatica, arthritis, and fibromyalgia
- Musculoskeletal conditions – Joint problems, muscle strains, ligament damage, tendonitis, and bursitis
- Neurological rehabilitation – Stroke recovery, multiple sclerosis management, Parkinson's disease support, and head injury rehabilitation
- Respiratory physiotherapy – Treatment for conditions affecting breathing such as COPD, asthma management, and post-COVID rehabilitation
- Women's health physiotherapy – Pregnancy-related conditions, pelvic floor rehabilitation, post-natal recovery, and continence issues
How Much Can You Claim Back?
The relief is calculated at the standard rate of 20%. With typical physiotherapy sessions in Ireland costing between €60 and €80 per appointment, regular attendees can accumulate significant refunds over time. If you've been attending weekly or fortnightly sessions for an injury or chronic condition, the total over four years can be substantial.
💡 Example: Regular Physiotherapy Patient
| Initial assessment and consultation (€80) | €80 |
| 12 follow-up treatment sessions @ €65 each | €780 |
| Ongoing maintenance (6 sessions per year × 4 years @ €65) | €1,560 |
| Total physiotherapy costs over 4 years | €2,420 |
| Tax relief at 20% | €484 refund |
Many people don't realise how much they've spent on physiotherapy until they add it up. If you've been attending regularly for a chronic condition, recovering from major surgery, or dealing with a persistent injury, the total can be substantial—and 20% of that is waiting to be claimed back.
What Documentation Do You Need?
To support your claim for physiotherapy tax relief, you'll need to provide proof of payment and evidence that the treatment was provided by a registered practitioner. Our team at MyTaxRebate.ie can guide you through exactly what's required:
- Receipts – From your physiotherapist showing the dates of treatment and amounts paid for each session
- Practitioner registration details – The physiotherapist's name and CORU registration number (usually shown on receipts)
- Bank or card statements – Can support claims if individual receipts are unavailable
- Annual treatment summaries – Many clinics can provide year-end statements
- Referral letters – From your GP if relevant, though these aren't always required
Most physiotherapy clinics can provide itemised receipts or year-end summaries if you've lost individual session receipts. Many clinics now send electronic receipts automatically, making it easier to keep records. Our specialists can advise on how to obtain the documentation you need if you're missing anything.
Do I Need a GP Referral?
A common misconception is that you need a GP referral to claim tax relief on physiotherapy. This is not the case. You can self-refer to a physiotherapist and still claim the tax relief, provided the physiotherapist is registered with CORU. The referral may be useful for your treatment records but it's not a requirement for the tax claim itself.
Combining with Other Medical Expenses
Physiotherapy costs should be claimed alongside all your other medical expenses to maximise your total refund. Rather than making separate small claims, think of it as one comprehensive medical expense claim. Common expenses that can be combined include:
- GP consultations – Including the initial referral or consultation for your condition
- Prescribed medications – Pain relief, anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants
- Hospital and consultant fees – Including orthopaedic and sports medicine consultations
- Optical expenses – Eye tests, glasses, and contact lenses
- Dental treatments – All dental work and orthodontics
When you work with MyTaxRebate.ie, we review ALL your potential medical expense claims—not just physiotherapy. This comprehensive approach often uncovers additional refunds that people didn't know they were entitled to.
Related Therapies That Also Qualify
If you receive other therapies alongside or instead of physiotherapy, many of these also qualify for 20% tax relief when provided by registered practitioners:
- Occupational therapy – When provided by CORU-registered practitioners
- Speech and language therapy – For rehabilitation purposes following stroke or injury
- Podiatry/Chiropody – When medically necessary for conditions like diabetes or arthritis
- Osteopathy and chiropractic – When provided by registered practitioners
What Doesn't Qualify?
Not all treatment-related expenses qualify for tax relief. Revenue excludes certain services that are considered general wellness rather than medical treatment:
❌ Non-Qualifying Items:
- Sports massage from non-registered therapists
- General relaxation massage and spa treatments
- Treatments from practitioners not registered with CORU
- Gym memberships (even if recommended by a physio)
- Equipment purchases like foam rollers or exercise bands
Claim Your Physiotherapy Tax Relief
Our specialists will review your complete tax history and claim ALL medical expenses you're entitled to.
Start Your Free Review →Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a GP referral to claim tax relief on physiotherapy?
No, a GP referral is not required for tax relief purposes. You can self-refer to a physiotherapist and still claim the relief, provided the physiotherapist is registered with CORU and provides a receipt for the treatment.
Can I claim for sports massage or dry needling?
If these treatments are performed by a registered physiotherapist as part of your treatment plan, they qualify for relief. General sports massage from a non-registered massage therapist does not qualify.
What if my health insurance covers part of the cost?
You can only claim tax relief on the portion you paid yourself. If your health insurance reimburses €40 of a €70 session, you can claim relief on the €30 you paid out of pocket.
Can I claim for physiotherapy in a hospital setting?
Yes, physiotherapy received in a hospital (whether as an inpatient or outpatient) qualifies. You need proof of the amount paid specifically for physiotherapy services, which should be shown separately on your hospital invoice.
How do I check if my physiotherapist is registered?
You can verify registration on CORU's online register at www.coru.ie. Most clinics display registration numbers on receipts, or you can ask your physiotherapist directly. Our team can also help verify registrations when processing your claim.
Why Choose MyTaxRebate.ie?
Claiming medical expenses yourself through Revenue's myAccount can be time-consuming and confusing, and many people miss out on additional refunds because they don't know what else they can claim. When you work with our specialists:
- Complete tax review – We check for ALL tax reliefs, not just medical expenses
- 4-year backdate – We review your full eligible period to maximise your refund
- No paperwork hassle – We handle the entire submission process with Revenue
- No refund, no fee – You only pay our fee if we successfully find money owed to you
Don't Miss Out on Your Physiotherapy Refund
Join thousands of Irish workers who've claimed back money on their medical expenses.
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