From today women aged 17 to 25 can go to their GP and register for free contraception such as the pill or a coil insertion.
The move comes as part of the Health Act 2022, which was passed by the Oireachtas earlier this year.
The National Women's Council has welcomed the measure and says it should be expanded to women outside of the age range.
Women's Health co-ordinator with the group, Alana Ryan, says it massively reduces the financial burden on women during these tough times.
"The most effective forms of contraception are the long acting reversible contraceptives, so your hormonal coil for example.
"The upfront cost of that is about €350, but can go as far as €500.
"That's a huge amount of money to pay, and for most women particularly during the current cost of living crisis that's far too much."
