Health insurance when traveling to Hungary is an important part of your preparation, regardless of the purpose of your trip to the country – to live, work, study, short visit, transit or apply for temporary protection. Having adequate insurance coverage is not only a requirement of Hungarian law, but also a guarantee that you will be able to receive quality medical care when needed. Let’s consider in detail, for whom insurance is mandatory, which categories of people should purchase a policy at their own discretion, how medical assistance to refugees is organized, what are the requirements for the content of insurance policies, why it is advisable to take out insurance in Ukraine, and what programs are offered by Ukrainian insurance companies.
Who is required to have health insurance to enter Hungary
According to the official requirements of the Schengen zone, which includes Hungary, health insurance is mandatory for the following categories of persons:
- Citizens of third countries who need a Schengen visa (type C) for entry. When applying for a short-term visa, it is necessary to provide a medical insurance policy that covers the costs of emergency medical care, hospitalization and evacuation for medical reasons. The minimum amount of coverage must be at least €30,000. The insurance must be valid for the entire period of stay in the country.
- Persons applying for a long-term visa (type D) or residence permit (for the purpose of study, work, family reunification, etc.). Availability of health insurance is one of the key conditions for issuing such documents. It must provide access to medical services during your extended stay, and insurance coverage requirements may vary depending on the purpose of your stay.
When planning a long-term trip, be sure to check whether you need a visa to Hungary and familiarize yourself with the procedure for obtaining it. If you are traveling to Hungary via transit, please note that the country has developed air connections with many European countries. More information about how to get to Ferenc Liszt Airport in Budapest can be found at the link.
- Motor vehicle drivers (especially from non-EU or EEA countries) crossing the border in their own cars. For such persons, it is mandatory to have a valid international insurance policy – “Green Card”, which covers liability for damage caused to third parties in the event of a road accident on the territory of Hungary or other countries included in this system.
Who can get insurance at will
Citizens of third countries who are entitled to visa-free entry to the Schengen area are not required to have an insurance policy at the border, but border guards may require proof of financial capacity to cover possible expenses, in particular medical ones. An insurance policy in this case is the best confirmation. In the event of illness or injury, the cost of medical services will be borne by the traveler, so insurance remains relevant.
Citizens of the EU/EEA and Switzerland can use the public healthcare system of Hungary by presenting the European EHIC card. But the EHIC only covers essential care under the same conditions as for Hungarian citizens. Repatriation, dentistry, treatment of chronic diseases, trip cancellation, etc. are not covered. Additional travel insurance allows you to avoid these risks.
People coming to Hungary for short private visits, such as visiting friends or relatives, should also consider taking out insurance, as medical risks do not disappear regardless of the purpose of the trip.
Medical assistance to Ukrainian refugees
Before receiving the status of temporary protection or the status of an asylum seeker, citizens of Ukraine have the right to emergency medical care. Most hospitals and clinics provide it on the basis of a foreign passport. The costs are covered by the Hungarian Medical Insurance Fund. The emergency number is 112.
Additionally, specialized care is available, such as gynecological at Duna Medical Center, psychological (via pszi.hu), help for children at children’s hospitals, hotlines for diabetics and people with autism.
After receiving temporary protection status, a person has the right to basic free medical care during the first six months. In the absence of a TAJ card, a temporary document is issued or a technical identifier is created. After this period, access to the full range of services is possible with a TAJ card, which can be obtained through employment or voluntary payment of contributions.
What are the general requirements for health insurance for short- and long-term trips to Hungary
Within the limits of the current Hungarian legislation, as well as in accordance with the rules provided by the norms of the Schengen area, there are clearly established requirements for health insurance for persons entering Hungary. These requirements apply to both tourists and foreigners planning a long-term stay in the country. Official sources define the following key parameters:
Medical insurance for entry and legal stay in the country
All applicants for a short-term Schengen visa (type C) or a long-term national visa (type D), as well as those applying for a residence permit, are required to have a valid health insurance policy. This is an integral condition for obtaining an entry or residence permit in Hungary.
The policy should cover expenses related to emergency medical care, necessary hospitalization, and transportation to the country of citizenship in the event of medical reasons or death.
Coverage must be at least €30,000. In some cases, for example, according to the requirements of some consulates, an equivalent amount of 50,000 US dollars is allowed.
The insurance must be valid for the entire planned period of stay in Hungary. In addition, in some cases additional coverage for 15 days beyond the main travel period may be required. The policy should also cover all countries of the Schengen area if the journey involves crossing several borders. At the same time, some insurance products may provide for the presence of a deductible, the amount of which does not exceed 150 euros.
Insurance for persons staying in Hungary for a long period
For foreigners who plan to live in Hungary for a long time, health insurance is no less mandatory. The Hungarian health care system is managed by the National Health Insurance Fund (NEAK) and provides for the participation of foreigners in financing through several options:
In the case of official employment, the employer pays mandatory contributions, which include the payment of state health insurance. After that, the person receives an individual TAJ card, which gives the right to full medical care within the framework of the state system. If a person does not work, he can enter into a voluntary contract with NEAK, after passing a medical examination. Monthly contributions in such a case are calculated according to age and the established minimum wage level in the country.
At the initial stage of stay or for additional protection (for example, if you wish to use the services of private clinics), the purchase of private health insurance is allowed. Such a policy can operate in parallel with the state policy or until the moment of receiving a TAJ card.
International students studying at Hungarian universities are often required to have health insurance. This can be either a policy issued as part of a university program or an individual contract with a private insurer.
If you are planning a visit to Hungary, regardless of its purpose, whether for leisure, work or study, having health insurance is not only a formality, but also a guarantee of your safety. It is recommended to take out insurance before leaving Ukraine. Although some companies allow the possibility of taking out a policy already upon arrival in Hungary, in practice this often causes serious difficulties.
Why you should avoid buying a policy abroad
Obtaining insurance upon arrival in Hungary is associated with a number of significant disadvantages:
- Limited geographical scope of action. Policies bought in Hungary are sometimes limited only to the territory of that country. In case of travel to other countries of the Schengen zone, additional insurance will be required, which causes additional costs and complications.
- Higher cost. Buying insurance policies directly in Europe can cost significantly more. Meanwhile, Ukrainian insurance companies offer similar coverage at a much more favorable price.
- Language barrier and legal nuances. Lack of understanding of the Hungarian language and legislative subtleties can lead to misunderstandings when concluding a contract, as well as when seeking help in an insurable situation.
Benefits of insurance in Ukrainian companies
By taking out medical insurance before you leave, through a proven Ukrainian company, you get a number of undeniable advantages:
– most Ukrainian insurers provide fast online policy issuance with the possibility of payment by card and immediate receipt of an electronic document;
– such companies have experience working with Ukrainian citizens, understand typical routes, purposes of trips and risks, so insurance programs take into account real needs;
– the cost of policies is much more affordable compared to the offers of foreign insurance institutions, without losing the quality of services and the scope of coverage;
– you support the Ukrainian economy during the war, contributing to the preservation of jobs and the development of the national financial services market;
– simplified communication in the Ukrainian language, prompt processing of applications and familiar mechanisms of interaction with clients make it possible to avoid bureaucratic barriers and provide effective support in the event of an insurance event.
Therefore, health insurance is a key element of a trip to Hungary. Its presence may be mandatory or recommended depending on your status, but in any case it is a guarantee of your peace of mind and financial security. The best option is to issue a policy in Ukraine through a proven company.
