Insurance for Hungarian Citizens Abroad
Discover the different types of insurance for Hungarian citizens living and traveling overseas and find the best coverage on offer.
Healthcare in Hungary
Learn about the healthcare in Hungary, including how to access care as a visitor or expat, what costs you can expect to pay, and more.
From grandiose Budapest to the calm waters of Lake Balaton, Hungary has a lot to offer expats and travelers alike. But if you’re thinking of relocating, how much do you know about healthcare in Hungary? The Hungarian healthcare system ranks 34th out of 195 in the Global Health Security Index, but what can you expect from the system? This article gives you all the information you need, from how to access care as a foreigner to what you can expect to pay for treatment, prescriptions, and more.
Find the Best International Medical Insurance
- Compare multiple quotes from top insurers
- Get expert advice at no additional cost
- Find the right plan for your needs and budget
How the Healthcare System in Hungary Works
Hungary offers universal healthcare that covers 100% of the population. Medical professionals are well-trained, and public hospitals in Hungary provide a wide range of services. The public system fully covers preventative and medically necessary treatments.
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. Private health insurance in Hungary provides comprehensive coverage across the country. These plans offer coverage for medications and equipment that the public healthcare system in Hungary does not cover.
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 coverage, 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 private coverage 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 the public health system. 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 contribution (via paystub)
Once you enroll in the public system, you will get a national health insurance card and personal 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 coverage 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 coverage. 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.
Find the Best International Medical Insurance
- Compare multiple quotes from top insurers
- Get expert advice at no additional cost
- Find the right plan for your needs and budget
Healthcare in Hungary FAQs
-
Private health insurance in Hungary is generally affordable compared to the US or even other countries in Europe, though exact costs depend on age, coverage level, and provider. Many expats find comprehensive international plans more cost-effective in Hungary than equivalent coverage back home.
-
Most US health insurance plans, including Medicare, don’t provide coverage in Hungary. Visitors and expats typically need a separate international or travel medical insurance plan to cover care while in the country, including emergency medical coverage.
-
Yes, but it depends on where you are in Hungary. Many private hospitals and clinics, especially in Budapest and other large cities, have English-speaking doctors and staff. Public hospitals, especially those in more rural areas, will have fewer English-speaking healthcare professionals. Expats who do not speak Hungarian should consider this when deciding their healthcare options.
-
Bring a photo ID, your health insurance card or TAJ card if you have one, and a list of any medications you take. If you recently moved to Hungary, it is also helpful to bring copies of your medical records, vaccination history, and recent test results. This will help your new doctor provide the best possible care.
-
Prescription drugs in Hungary are generally cheap when compared to the US, especially for those with public coverage that subsidizes costs. Even paying out of pocket, many common medications remain more affordable than American prices.
-
It depends on the medication and where the prescription was issued. Some pharmacies may accept prescriptions from other European countries, but many medications require a prescription from a doctor licensed in Hungary. If you take regular medication, bring enough with you until you can visit a local doctor.
-
Yes. Many mild medications, such as pain relievers and cold remedies, are available over the counter at Hungarian pharmacies (patikas) without a prescription from a doctor. However, stronger medications and antibiotics still require a doctor’s note. Be aware that this may be different from what you expect back home.
-
As in many other European countries, emergency responders reached by dialing 112 can assist in English. Major hospitals in Budapest and other large cities also typically have English-speaking staff, though this becomes less reliable in smaller towns and rural areas.