Health Care Services Available During Temporary Stay in Hungary

 

You can find below information how to seek health insurance services during your temporary stay in Hungary.

 

Residents of EEA (European Economic Area) countries and Switzerland

    

 

 

Residents of the European Union, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, who are entitled to health care of the national health services or mandatory health insurance scheme of their respective countries of residence, can receive in Hungary the health care

  • which becomes necessary
  • on medical grounds
  • during temporary stay in Hungary
  • taking into account the nature of the benefits required and the expected length of stay.

 

The treatment, which becomes medically necessary during the patient’s temporary stay in Hungary is free of charge.

 

In case of doubt the health care provider decides whether the needed treatment is medically necessary during the expected duration of the stay in Hungary. However, by virtue of decisions of the European Commission (Decision No. S3), all treatments are deemed necessary in case of

  • dialysis,
  • oxygen therapy and
  • pregnancy and childbirth
  • special asthma treatment
  • echocardiography in case of chronic autoimmune diseases
  • chemotherapy.

Entitlement certificates

 

 

 

For getting the treatment in the same conditions as Hungarian insured persons, a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or the Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) must be submitted to the health care provider.

 

How to use the European Health Insurance Card in Hungary

 

Documentation required

You need both the European Health Insurance Card and your passport or ID card.

 

Doctors

You can only obtain treatment from surgeries, which have a sign saying they are contracted with the National Health Insurance Fund. The inscription is generally as follows:

"a társadalombiztosítás egészségügyi szolgáltatásaira szerződött szolgáltató".

 

If you need medically necessary treatment, it is advised to see a general practitioner (GP – “háziorvos”) first. The GP decides whether further specialised out- or inpatient treatment is necessary and will issue a referral.

 

The specialised outpatient care, typically available at outpatient centres (“szakrendelő”), is rendered generally upon referral.

 

However, you may seek outpatient care without referral if the treatment relates to dermatology, gynaecology, urology, otolaryngology, ophthalmology, oncology or general surgery.

 

Dentists

Following dental treatments are available at dentists contracted with the National Health Insurance Fund (OEP) in case of necessity:

  • emergency care
  • on the basis of specialist’s referral, and treatment related to any basic dental or oral diseases
  • tooth preserving treatments
  • dental surgery treatment
  • gums diseases.

§ full range of dental treatments for pregnant women until 90 days following childbirth.

It is to note that the costs of materials are generally to be borne by the patients. Drugs

Where a doctor or dentist issues a prescription, it should be taken to the pharmacy, where the EHIC shall be submitted as well. Subsidies on medicines can vary according to disease and type of product. The subsidy is provided directly to the pharmacy, so the amount you will have to pay at the purchase of the prescribed medicine is a “co-payment” and therefore it is not refundable.

 

Hospital Treatment

Hospital treatment is normally provided through a referral from a GP. In urgent cases no referral is necessary.

Attachment Files: 
health_care_hungary.pdf