Budapest University of Economics and Business

What is a GP (General Practitioner) and what do they do? 

A GP (general practitioner or family doctor) is typically your first point of contact for any health-related concerns. The GP will examine your condition and either recommend appropriate treatment or refer you to a medical specialist, if needed. 

In Hungary, GPs are assigned based on your registered residential address. 

• If you rent a flat, your landlord may be able to help, or you can search for the assigned general practitioner online. 
• If you’re staying in a dormitory, you can ask the provider for details about your assigned GP. 

Please note: Doctors in Hungary typically require appointments in advance, so make sure to book an appointment before your visit. 

What is a specialist and what do they do? 

A specialist is a doctor with additional qualifications in a specific medical field — for example, a dermatologist, cardiologist, or orthopedist. Specialists diagnose and treat conditions related to their area of expertise. 

 
Please note: Specialists in Hungary require appointments in advance, so make sure to book an appointment before going.

What is a referral and when do you need one? 

A referral is a document issued by your GP that allows you to visit certain medical specialists. Some clinics and doctors will only see patients with a referral. This requirement is usually mentioned on the clinic’s website. 

Pharmacy 

With mild conditions—such as a low-grade fever, runny nose, cold, flu, indigestion, cough, or minor pain—you can visit any pharmacy to purchase over-the-counter medication. Pharmacists in Hungary are trained healthcare professionals and can also provide basic medical advice, if needed. 

Ambulance 

In case you experience life-threatening symptoms—such as signs of a heart attack, loss of consciousness, choking, or similar—you should go directly to the nearest hospital emergency unit or call 112. 

TAJ Card – Important to remember 

• Having a valid health insurance during all times while you are in Hungary is required by the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (the “Immigration Office”). Without an insurance, you cannot apply for or renew your residence permit. 
• The TAJ card provides access to basic healthcare services, such as general practitioners (GPs), specialists (e.g., gastroenterologist, psychiatrist), and dentists. It can also be used in case of serious accidents or life-threatening emergencies. 
• Some health care services are free of charge, while others may require a supplementary fee (e.g., the TAJ card typically only covers emergency dental care). 
• You can receive treatment only with a valid TAJ card (the expiration date is printed on the card). 
• Make sure to start the renewal process 3 months before the expiry date, as the full procedure may take 2–4 months. 
• The TAJ card is only valid in Hungary. It cannot be used to access free healthcare in other countries — not even in EU/EEA member states. 

TAJ Card Application  

The Student Services Group assists all scholarship-holder students with their initial TAJ card application. Please note that the TAJ card application process can only be started after you have received your residence permit. 

Key documents required for your application: 

• Copy of Passport – a copy of the page with your photo and personal data (valid for at least 3 months) 
• Copy of residence permit (valid for at least 3 months) 
• Accommodation reporting form (Szálláshely-igazolás) – This is a 1-sided paper with a huge QR code on it (you will receive it from the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing via the Enter Hungary website in your storage) 
• Certification of enrolment (student status certificate) – you can download it from Neptun (This is where to find it: Information → General forms menu, HWEB Certification of Enrolment at the end of the row, you have to click the + mark and print in PDF). 
• Letter of Award (you can download it from DreamApply) – please note, this is NOT your Scholarship Agreement! 
• Application Form (IGÉNYLŐLAP) 

After enrolment, all freshman students will receive detailed information about the necessary steps and the complete list of required documents. Should you have any questions regarding the process or the required documents, please contact the Student Services Group at your faculty: 

• studentservices.citycampus@uni-bge.hu 
• studentservices.zuglocampus@uni-bge.hu 

TAJ Card Renewal 

To renew your TAJ card, you should visit the office of the National Health Insurance Fund of Hungary (NEAK) in person and bring all the necessary documents: 

• Copy of Passport – a copy of the page with your photo and personal data (valid for at least 3 months) 
• Copy of residence permit (valid for at least 3 months) 
• Accommodation reporting form (Szálláshely-igazolás) – This is a 1-sided paper with a huge QR code on it (you will receive it from the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing via the Enter Hungary website in your storage) 
• Certification of enrolment (student status certificate) – you can download it from Neptun (This is where to find it: Information → General forms menu, HWEB Certification of Enrolment at the end of the row, you have to click the + mark and print in PDF). 
• Letter of Award (you can download it from DreamApply) – please note, this is NOT your Scholarship Agreement! 
• Application Form (IGÉNYLŐLAP) 

Address: 

1139 Budapest, District 13, Teve utca 1/A–C 
(Opposite the building of the Police Authorities) 

Opening hours:

studentservices.zuglocampus@uni-bge.hu 

Complementary health insurance (Pannónia CIG) 

Freshman students: Your scholarship includes a health insurance option (in addition to the TAJ card) without any extra charge. Shortly after enrolment, you will receive detailed information about the steps and deadlines required to activate your coverage. 

Enrolled students: The current validity period of your insurance runs until 31 August 2025. The Student Services Office will inform you in due time about the renewal process and any necessary actions. 

A honlapon szereplő, alábbi almenüpontok ide kapcsolódnak: 

When will this insurance expire? – ezt én kivenném, tartalmát az enrolled students részhez beírtam (erre külön almenüpont szerintem nem indokolt) 

What is included /not included in this insurance? 

How can I use this insurance? 

Documents 

TAJ Card Application 

As a fee-paying student, you are not entitled to free healthcare in Hungary. Therefore, the National Health Insurance Fund of Hungary (NEAK) cannot accept your TAJ card application without a monthly payment for healthcare services.  

For foreign nationals studying full-time at a Hungarian educational institution, a monthly contribution of 87,240 HUF is required. This amount is based on 30% of the minimum wage, which is 290,800 HUF as of 2025. We recommend visiting a NEAK office directly for further guidance and detailed information. 

Application 

You can apply for a TAJ card in person at the NEAK office. 

Address: 

1139 Budapest, District 13, Teve utca 1/A–C 
(Opposite the building of the Police Authorities) 

Opening hours:

• Passport – a copy of the page with your photo and personal data (valid for at least 3 months) 
• Copy of residence permit (valid for at least 3 months) 
• Accommodation reporting form (Szálláshely-igazolás) – This is a 1-sided paper with a huge QR code on it (you will receive it from the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing via the Enter Hungary website in your storage) 
• Certification of enrolment (student status certificate) – you can download it from Neptun (This is where to find it: Information → General forms menu, HWEB Certification of Enrolment at the end of the row, you have to click the + mark and print in PDF).  
• Application Form (IGÉNYLŐLAP) 
• Proof of tuition fee payment 

NEAK may ask for additional documents (depending also on your country of origin), therefore, we kindly recommend visiting their office to get detailed instructions about the specific requirements and process. 

Should you have any questions regarding the process or the required documents, please contact the Student Services Group at your faculty: 

• studentservices.citycampus@uni-bge.hu 
• studentservices.zuglocampus@uni-bge.hu 

Private insurance  

There are numerous private health insurance providers operating in Hungary with whom you can arrange coverage. We recommend conducting a Google search to explore the various plans available, as there are many options tailored to different needs and preferences. 

Please remember that having a valid health insurance during all times while you are in Hungary is required by the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (the “Immigration Office”). Without an insurance, you cannot apply for or renew your residence permit. 

Who have their permanent residence in a Member State of the European Economic Area (EEA) are entitled to use healthcare services in Hungary. These citizens are entitled to use certain – medically necessary – healthcare services against their own health insurance in a different Member State or Contracting State. Entitlement to this care shall be certified by the EHIC Card. The nature of the service being medically necessary is adjudicated by the attending physician; accordingly, one shall directly contact the Hungarian healthcare provider that is contracted with the Hungarian social security and healthcare organisation. In practice this means all public hospitals. 
The Card does not replace travel insurance, does not cover private services or property damage due to theft. In order to avoid such situations, it is useful to book separate insurance. 
For further information, please read: https://www.patientsrights.hu/the-european-health-insurance-card.html