Healthcare in Hungary
TAJ
Healthcare is not free in Hungary, and neither is medicine. As a Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship holder, you are entitled to have a TAJ card (social security card) that grants you free access to Hungarian public healthcare. However, some doctors may not speak foreign languages, so you might need to rely on Hungarian-speaking friends or mentors to translate.
Private insurance
Pharmacy
With mild conditions (such as mild fever, runny nose, cold, flu, indigestion, cough, minor pain, etc.), you should simply visit any pharmacy to get some over-the-counter medication.
General practitioner
If your symptoms persist despite home treatment, you should visit your general practitioner (GP). GPs provide treatment, prescribe medicine or refer you to a specialist, but have limited working hours, and you can only visit the one assigned to you based on your address.
Specialists deal with specific aspects of your health, and in most cases, you will first need to visit your GP for a referral.
Doctor on duty
If you need to see a doctor outside the working hours of your GP, each district has so-called doctors on duty. They can provide help, but their actions are restricted by law: they can’t give you referrals or sick leave papers.
Traumatology
Traumatology is for recent victims of serious accidents, which caused sprains, fractures and/or deep wounds. This is where to go if you are injured, and not when you are sick.
Emergency
Emergency rooms should be visited in case you experience life-threatening symptoms, such as choking, signs of heart attack, signs of seizures, loss of consciousness, etc.
What sort of health insurance do you have?
You need a valid TAJ card to get access to comprehensive healthcare in public hospitals and clinics. If you do not have this card yet, apply as soon as you can.
TAJ card
Other health related information
If you want to register for a vaccine or just want to know more about the current situation, click the button!
COVID-19
Neither TAJ nor most private insurances can provide you with adequate psychological treatment. However, the university offers such services.
Psychological problems
General tips for a healthy stay in Budapest
- Dress appropriately for all weather conditions. Hungary has 4 separate seasons, a warm (sometimes hot) summer, moderate (and rainy) spring and autumn, while winter can get very cold, so prepare with clothes in advance accordingly! You can easily catch a cold if you do not pay attention to it!
- Wash your hands regularly, especially after the use of public transport.
- Spend plenty of time outside and exercise regularly.
- Consume plenty of fruit and vegetable, and follow a balanced diet.
- Don’t worry if you catch a cold, it is common and completely natural. Before visiting a doctor, try home remedies, such as warm tea with honey and lemon, cough syrups, and throat lozenges (sore throat candies).
- Always follow doctors’ instructions and take the prescribed medicine in the recommended quantities!
Contact us
If you have any questions please check the FAQ or contact us using the form below! We aim to provide answers as detailed as possible, which can take some time. Please be patient, we cannot respond instantaneously.