What Expats Should Know about Healthcare in Hungary
Hungary offers universal healthcare that covers 100% of the population. Medical professionals are well-trained, and public hospitals provide a wide range of services. Public insurance fully covers preventative and medically necessary treatments. Hungary’s healthcare system ranks 34th out of 195 in the Global Health Security Index.
Some immigrants are eligible to use the public system, depending on the type of visa they hold. However, many choose to use the private system due to long wait times and language barriers. The more rural you live, the more difficult it can be to find English-speaking medical staff. Keep in mind that certain foreigners moving to Hungary are required to provide proof of insurance as part of their visa application.
Even if the public system is available to you, you’ll still want to supplement with private coverage. International health insurance provides comprehensive coverage both within and outside Hungary. These plans offer coverage for medications and equipment that the public healthcare system in Hungary does not cover.
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Pros and Cons of Hungary’s Healthcare System
Healthcare in Hungary has its advantages and disadvantages. High-quality care is available in both public and private systems throughout the country, and treatment is affordable.
However, rural areas have limited options. Even in urban areas, clinics suffer from long wait times and a shortage of staff.
Pros of Hungary’s Healthcare System
Hungary has a universal healthcare system that is 100% free for many citizens. The government subsidizes anything not fully covered at a lower cost. Doctors and nurses are well-trained to provide quality care to anyone who needs it.
Even within the private system, healthcare costs are lower in Hungary than in the United States or Western Europe. As a result, the country is becoming a popular destination for medical tourism.
Dental work, plastic surgery, fertility treatments, orthopedic surgery, and eye surgery are some of the most popular medical tourism treatments that foreigners visit to receive. As such, private clinics in these areas are thriving.
Cons of Hungary’s Healthcare System
Lack of funding is a perpetual issue in Hungary’s healthcare system. Public clinics suffer from staffing shortages, outdated equipment, and long waiting periods. Many doctors have switched to private clinics in search of higher pay and better working conditions.
There is also a notable divide in the public healthcare system between the services and amenities offered in rural and urban areas. Issues such as understaffing and limited diagnostic testing capacity are severe in rural areas.
In recent years, the number of doctors working in Hungary has been decreasing as more young graduates and professionals leave the country to pursue opportunities elsewhere. Meanwhile, the average age of healthcare workers is rising. One in two doctors is over the age of 50.
Additionally, for years, “gratitude payments” were an essential part of medical appointments in Hungary. This made it all but mandatory for patients to leave a tip when they had a medical appointment.
The government officially banned this practice in January 2021, but the campaign to eliminate it is still ongoing.
Does Hungary Have Universal Healthcare?
The National Health Insurance Fund (NEAK) administers Hungary’s healthcare system. Payroll contributions, taxes, and co-pays for supplemental services are the primary sources of funding for The NEAK.
Payroll contributions are about 3% of an employee’s income. Employers then cover an additional 15%.
The NEAK fully covers children, parents with a baby at home, students, retirees, individuals with no income, those with disabilities, priests, and other church employees at no cost.
What Does a National Health Insurance Card Cover?
Your insurance fully covers any preventative or necessary medical treatment. You must pay out of pocket for any care or medicine not prescribed by your doctor or a specialist.
- Dental: Free up to age 18. Only emergency care for those over 18.
- Optical: Eye exams and required surgeries are covered. Optional care, such as LASIK, is not covered.
- Mental Health: Services such as general psychiatric examinations, drug therapy, and counseling are available but limited.
- Alternative Care: If prescribed by your primary care physician, some alternative treatments are covered.
- Prescription Drugs: Medications administered in the hospital are fully covered. At pharmacies, the costs are subsidized.
How to Access & Receive Healthcare in Hungary
Hospitals (“kórház”), clinics, and pharmacies (“patika”) are available throughout the country. If you are paying into the public system, you’ll get a national health card, known as a TAJ card (“TAJ kártya”).
Once you have that, you’ll need to register with a general practitioner (GP or “háziorvos”) in your district.
Outside of emergencies, all medical treatment in Hungary requires a doctor’s referral to be covered by insurance. The GP you select will be your primary point of contact for any non-emergency healthcare needs.
In case of an emergency, dial 112. Help is available in English 24/7 at this number. Emergency first aid is available to everyone, including tourists.
However, you’ll need to pay for the services you receive. Make sure you purchase an International Health Insurance plan to cover any medical expenses.
Additionally, a global medical plan will cover your costs at a private clinic. Visiting a private hospital or clinic means much shorter waiting times, access to a broader range of specialists, and more comfortable, modern facilities.
If you have private insurance, your provider can provide you with a list of hospitals and facilities with which they work.
Healthcare for Expats in Hungary
Expats who are employed locally and are paying taxes may be eligible for public coverage. The public system may also accept your insurance from your home country; check before you go.
Who is Eligible for Hungarian Healthcare?
Refugees and foreigners who are legally working or studying full-time in Hungary qualify for public health insurance.
To enroll, you’ll need to visit your local NEAK office. For your appointment, you’ll need the following documents:
- ID card or passport
- Residency permit
- Address card
- Proof that you paid the health insurance contribution (via paystub)
Once you enroll in the public system, you will get a national health insurance card and a health insurance number.
Visitors from the EU and the EEA can use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in Hungary. Note that you must apply for your EHIC before leaving your home country.
Additionally, Hungary and the UK have a reciprocal health agreement. As such, British citizens receive free healthcare in Hungary and vice versa.
Expat Insurance for Hungary
International citizens should carry their own private global medical insurance policy to cover any possible health-related expenses that may arise.
While foreigners may be eligible to use the public system, most tend to carry private insurance. Private clinics offer shorter waiting times, a wider range of medical treatments, and staff who speak English.
For a more in-depth understanding of your options, check out our Insurance in Hungary for Foreigners page.
Recommended Health Insurance in Hungary for US Citizens
BCBS Global Solutions sets itself apart by offering 24/7 assistance, along with global telehealth, wherever you are in the world.
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Recommended Health Insurance in Hungary for Non-US Expats
Cigna offers comprehensive care and customizable, cost-effective plans.
Cigna Global Insurance Plan
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Elizabeth Baugh is a versatile freelance writer specializing in education, travel, health, and wellness. She has international experience living in multiple countries, is fluent in Spanish, and holds a license as a TEFL teacher, sharing insights on travel and relocation.
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