Coverage Options for Hungarians Living or Traveling Abroad
Are you a Hungarian citizen planning to move abroad or take a short trip? If so, having the right insurance is essential before traveling internationally. Of course, the type of coverage you need will depend on your plans.
For instance, if you’re moving abroad, a global health plan can cover any medical costs you may face while living outside Hungary. If you’re going on vacation, travel insurance can protect you from trip cancellations, lost luggage, and medical emergencies. And if you’re planning for the long term, international life insurance will ensure that your family has financial protection in the event of your passing.
To help you understand your options and stay protected, this article provides an overview of health, travel, and life insurance for Hungarian citizens living or traveling abroad.
More than 700,000 Hungarians currently reside abroad, accounting for over 7% of the country’s population. This shows that living outside Hungary is a common choice for many.
If you plan to follow suit and move abroad to live, work, or retire, it’s essential to have health coverage that matches, or even exceeds, what you are accustomed to in Hungary.
Back home, many citizens benefit from low-cost or even free universal healthcare. Hungary fully covers necessary and preventative medical services, including care for expats working locally.
However, your Hungarian health plan typically won’t cover you abroad, and out-of-pocket medical costs can quickly accumulate.
Not all countries offer public insurance for international citizens, unlike Hungary. And even if they do, there might be a long waiting period before you become eligible.
To ensure you are fully covered and protected from the moment you leave your home country, it’s advisable to get a global insurance plan.
This will help manage medical costs and provide peace of mind, ensuring you are covered wherever you are.
Private global insurance plans offer access to high-quality healthcare services no matter where you are in the world.
You’ll be able to receive care more quickly and in more modern facilities. Many providers also offer language support to help you avoid language barriers when seeking care.
In addition, many plans don’t require referrals for treatment, so you won’t need to register with a local general practitioner like you would back home.
Which Countries Have a Reciprocal Healthcare Agreement with Hungary?
Reciprocal healthcare agreements occur when countries agree to allow their citizens to receive medical treatment in each other’s countries.
This helps expats and travelers avoid large medical bills while they are abroad by covering necessary and unexpected care at public healthcare facilities.
The European Union has these agreements with all member countries, as well as with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
As a Hungarian, you’ll need to apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from your local NEAK office. This card allows your Hungarian public insurance to be used in these countries.
You can download a free app in multiple languages to learn more about the EHIC and how it works in different countries.
However, it is essential to be aware that the EHIC can only be used for urgent situations. For example, if you twist your ankle, get into a car accident, or have an asthma attack, it will cover you at public facilities.
You will get access to the same services at the same prices as residents, so the treatment that you receive at no cost in Hungary might not be free in Germany.
Additionally, the EHIC only covers you during temporary stays in Europe, so if you plan to live there – or anywhere outside the continent – long-term, you’ll want to buy specific health coverage for Hungarian citizens.
Private insurance will protect you from unexpected and costly medical bills and ensure you get the high-quality care you are used to in Hungary, wherever you are in the world.
The Best Health Insurance Plans for Hungarian Expats
While you might get some coverage through your home insurance in Europe, you’ll need a global health plan to access most medical care abroad.
These plans can vary widely based on several factors. Your destination, the duration of your stay, and the level of coverage you need all influence the available plans and their costs.
For instance, the United States has the most expensive healthcare system in the world, so you’ll need a different insurance plan for the U.S. than for a country like Albania.
With this in mind, it’s essential to carefully review your options to make sure you choose the best plan for your needs and budget.
The Best Health Plans for the EU
If you’re moving to another part of the E.U., several affordable insurance options cover you within the E.U. and address the coverage gaps of the EHIC card.
IMG Global Prima Medical Insurance: Offers an exclusive European-coverage-only customizable plan, setting it apart from other options and making it appealing to European expats living on the continent.
Cigna Global: Provides affordable, comprehensive coverage in Europe. Cigna’s product is completely customizable, allowing you to include only the necessary benefits and choose your deductible, which helps reduce your monthly premium.
The Best Health Plans for the US
As mentioned, healthcare costs in the United States are notoriously high, and even with insurance, you might face co-pays that are higher than what you’re used to.
To avoid unexpected and expensive medical bills, you’ll need an international health plan specifically designed for coverage in the U.S.:
BCBS Global Solutions Worldwide Premier: This is one of the best plans available for expats living in the United States. It provides access to the Blue Cross Blue Shield network, one of the most extensive insurance networks in the U.S. However, it is not available in the states of New York, Maryland, Washington, and North Dakota.
Cigna Global: This plan offers comprehensive, customizable worldwide coverage with options tailored to your specific health needs and preferences, including coverage in the U.S.
Several excellent worldwide plans can be customized to fit your specific needs:
Cigna International Insurance: Cigna aims to improve the health, well-being, and sense of security of all its customers. It offers three tiers of insurance plans, which are accepted in more than 200 countries. Each plan is customizable, allowing you to pay only for the coverage you need.
IMG Global Medical: IMG is another great provider of health coverage for Hungarian citizens living abroad. The company specializes in international and travel medical insurance, with plans tailored for expats, travelers, and international students. Although IMG plans can be more expensive, they are comprehensive and customizable.
Cigna Close Care: If you plan to spend time in both your home country and your new country, you might want to consider purchasing a Cigna Close Care plan. Unlike most international health plans that offer global coverage or coverage for a single destination, this provides coverage in your destination country as well as back home in Hungary.
If you are a Hungarian citizen traveling abroad, even for a short period, travel insurance can be very beneficial. It can protect you from various uncertainties when visiting another country.
Depending on the plan you choose, you can get coverage for trip cancellations, lost luggage, medical treatment abroad, or all of the above.
For example, if your trip is canceled due to a natural disaster, you can get your travel expenses reimbursed. If the airline loses your luggage or someone steals it while you’re traveling, insurance can compensate you.
And if you’re in an accident or get sick while abroad, travel medical insurance can ensure you receive the best possible care. Some plans even cover adventurous activities, such as parasailing or scuba diving.
Trip Cancellation Insurance
If you have a vacation planned but suddenly get sick or have an accident that totals your car, trip cancellation insurance can help you recover some of the expenses for the trip you can no longer take.
This insurance can also cover you if someone in your family or a travel companion falls ill. Trip cancellation plans usually list the valid reasons that allow you to recoup your costs, such as jury duty, terrorist activities, or a malaria outbreak at your destination.
World Nomads offers a solid basic plan for trip cancellation. It provides reimbursement for non-refundable expenses incurred due to covered reasons, such as illness, injury, or the death of you or a close family member.
It also covers the costs of returning home early and allows you to reschedule or rebook if a covered event disrupts your trip.
Notably, Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) trip insurance is an upgrade available with specific trip cancellation policies, such as those offered by Trawick and IMG. With this upgrade, your reason for cancellation doesn’t have to be “covered”; it can be anything that comes up.
While trip cancellation is a valuable benefit, the ideal plan should also cover unexpected medical expenses, including hospital stays, doctor visits, and emergency medical evacuations.
It should also protect against trip interruptions, lost luggage, and other unforeseen incidents that can impact your travel experience.
Hungarian citizens traveling abroad can choose from several travel medical plans tailored to their destination.
As mentioned, due to the high healthcare costs in the U.S., we recommend different plans for travelers going there compared to other destinations.
Worldwide Travel
WorldTrips Atlas International: Atlas International offers comprehensive travel medical coverage for Hungarian citizens traveling internationally (excluding the U.S.), protecting against unexpected medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation, and a range of benefits tailored for global travel.
Trawick Safe Travels International: Safe Travels International Insurance offers Hungarian citizens traveling outside their home country comprehensive medical coverage, including protection against unexpected illnesses, injuries, and travel disruptions, ensuring a worry-free international journey.
IMG Patriot International Platinum: This international plan includes extensive coverage for inpatient and outpatient services, emergency care, dental treatment, and lost luggage. It can be used for as little as five days and can be renewed for up to three years, with flexible renewal options in monthly or daily increments.
Travel To the US
Trawick Safe Travels USA: Safe Travels USA Insurance offers Hungarian citizens visiting the United States robust medical coverage for unexpected illnesses, injuries, and other travel-related incidents, ensuring peace of mind during their stay.
WorldTrips Atlas America Insurance: Atlas America offers Hungarian citizens comprehensive travel medical coverage when traveling to the United States, protecting them against unexpected medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation, and other travel-related incidents for a safe and secure journey.
IMG Patriot America Platinum: Offers comprehensive benefits, including medical coverage, emergency evacuation, and repatriation. It is tailored for Hungarian travelers visiting the U.S., with flexible policy durations and high coverage limits.
Hungarians living abroad may wish to visit their home country from time to time. However, it’s essential to understand that being Hungarian does not automatically entitle you to use the public healthcare system in Hungary.
Payroll contributions, taxes, and co-pays for supplemental services fund Hungarian healthcare. If you haven’t been working in Hungary and paying into the system, you may not have a valid national insurance card.
If you have global medical insurance, your plan may be accepted in Hungary, but this depends on the specific coverage provided.
Worldwide plans offer extensive coverage but tend to be more expensive. If you only want coverage for your home and destination countries, Cigna Close Care might be a better option.
Travel insurance can also serve as a temporary solution if your health insurance doesn’t cover you while you are visiting.
Hungary. However, keep in mind that travel medical plans are only intended for emergencies, and they typically do not cover routine visits, such as checkups with your family dentist, even if you’re in your hometown.
Annual Travel Insurance
If you plan to travel overseas several times a year, you may want to consider buying annual travel insurance or multi-trip coverage.
These plans cover an entire year of travel, with each trip having a maximum duration limit.
Patriot Multi-Trip is an excellent option for Hungarian citizens, families, and groups of five or more who travel frequently outside Hungary.
You can renew it for up to 36 months and choose a maximum trip duration of 30, 60, or 90 days per trip.
Part of your financial considerations when moving abroad is planning for your family’s future, should anything happen to you while living outside of Hungary.
While life insurance isn’t a pleasant topic to consider, it is an essential part of the insurance picture. It can help provide financial support to your loved ones in case of an unexpected death, making a difficult time a bit easier.
If you have life insurance in Hungary, it is likely not to cover you if you pass away in another country. This is why it’s essential to review your policy before relocating.
International life insurance addresses this issue by providing coverage wherever you are, ensuring that your beneficiaries receive the payout regardless of their location.
Term Life vs Whole Life Insurance
Like domestic life insurance plans, international plans generally fall into two categories: term life and whole life.
Term life plans are popular with expats and travelers because their premiums are affordable, and you can choose your coverage options.
On the other hand, whole-life plans offer lifetime coverage and a guaranteed death benefit, which is great if you’re concerned about future health changes and securing long-term insurance. Each option has its advantages, allowing you to choose the plan that best meets your needs.
The Best Life Insurance Plans for Hungarian Citizens
We offer life insurance coverage to Hungarian citizens through reputable companies, William Russell, Unisure, and Atlas Life.
Each provider offers comprehensive and reliable coverage tailored for international lifestyles:
William Russell: A leading provider of both international life and health insurance. They are an excellent choice for Hungarian expats, offering the convenience of combining both types of coverage into a single policy. William Russell also provides an Income Protection plan, which will pay you a replacement income if you become disabled overseas and cannot work for an extended period of time.
Unisure: Provides a range of options, including Term Life, Whole Life, and annual renewable plans. You can also add extra benefits, such as Accidental Death and Waiver of Premium riders.
Atlas Life: Offers term life plans between five and 35 years with no maximum coverage limit, and you have the option to include Critical Illness and/or Disability Cover. You also have the option to purchase a plan that terminates at age 80, 90, or 99.
To Health, To Life, Wherever You Go
As a Hungarian citizen moving or traveling abroad, having the right coverage is essential for enjoying your time overseas.
With the best plans in place, you can avoid the stress of unexpected medical costs, travel disruptions, and financial uncertainties.
A global health plan will cover your medical needs, travel insurance will protect you from trip-related issues, and international life insurance will provide peace of mind for your family’s future.
With comprehensive coverage, you can confidently embrace your adventures, whether you’re exploring new destinations, relocating, or enjoying a long-term stay.
Valuable Resources for Hungarian Expats and Tourists
Bethlen Gábor Alapkezelő Zrt: A non-profit organization that helps Hungarians living abroad. It makes it easier to apply for Hungarian citizenship without requiring residency in Hungary and allows citizens abroad to participate in elections.
The Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship, established by the Hungarian Government, helps Hungarians living abroad reconnect with their heritage by providing opportunities to study at top Hungarian institutions. It covers tuition, medical insurance, and, if requested, provides a monthly stipend, accommodation contribution, and travel allowance for both degree and non-degree programs.
The Kőrösi Csoma Sándor Program: An initiative that sends representatives to Hungarian diaspora communities to teach the Hungarian language and culture. Its goal is to strengthen cultural ties, support Hungarian communities abroad, and preserve Hungarian heritage worldwide.
The Balassi Institute: A global non-profit cultural organization funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Active in 24 countries, it promotes the Hungarian language and culture worldwide.
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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