What kind of insurances do you need in Budapest?

[annemarie2]

Szia,

I'm from the Netherlands and I will be relocating to Budapest for a job. I was hoping someone can answer some questions I have about insurances.

First, how is the healthcare arranged? I've read that the Hungarian government provides full medical coverage to residents. Is this really full coverage or are there limits? For example, is dental care included?

Second, in the Netherlands, it's common to have a liability insurance. Is this also common in Hungary?

Are there any other insurances you would recommend?

[Toth_Timea]

The only limitation is quality. If you want good quality service, go to private doctors and pay. The average is free - in dental care too.

[Erika_Juhasz]

Hi Annamarie,

How I know national insurance costs around 7000 HUF/month but it's normally paid by your employer. I believe dental care is in the price but it's quite common to go to a private place as it's not that expensive and usually they do a better job (in my experience).
You will need to go to the registration office tho as you will need a TAJ card (NI card) to be able to get treated.
I hope I could help a bit.

Erika

[Vilmos_Agoston]

Hi Annemarie, Health insurance covers all, even dental care. However, you should consider that Hungarian health care service quality is way below Netherland's. There are many who chose private health care with a reason. For foreigners it's even harder, not too many speaks English. Unlimited private insurance is available exclusively for companies.
The usual way is to pay for each visit whenever you can afford it, and use public health care when you have no other choice.

[Mate_H_Nagy]

Hi,

be careful and check if you are registered to full time working. If you do, your employee has to pay a shitload of taxes after you which yes, includes full medical cover, dental as well.

However, most medical acts are rather recommended to be done at private heatlhcare services. Those are never included in your governmental healthcare.
Private costs kinda a lot, but only compared to hungarian standards.

I would suggest to check some private health insirance companies and their contracted medical service providers.

Other insurances are within your priorities, every kind is available at insurance companies.

[viktornagy]

Hi Annemarie,

Yes, here in Hungary, there's full governmental medical insurance, if you are working or studying here. Of if you pay it for yourself, which is approximately 20-30 € monthly. Basic dental care is included as well. However, the quality of the service is not as good. For instance, for a deeper examination, like MRI or CT, you have to wait at least 3-6 months.

Liability insurance almost doesn't even known for Hungarians, except you have a car, house or you have a special profession, such as you are a doctor, who has a private practice.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you want to know anything else.

Viktor

[Akos_Bartha1]

Hi Annemarie,

Here is a link of the National Health Insurance Fund of Hungary, this one briefly sums you need to know when you are in temporary stay here:

http://www.neak.gov.hu/data/cms1004771/Health_Care_Services_Available_During_Temporary_Stay_in_Hungary_form.pdf

More on EHIC: http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=559

Also, if you are going to work here, primarily your employer shall take care of your health insurance, here is a summary:

Social Security ID Number – BLOG | RSM Hungary

Liability insurances are up to the insurance companies here, all major groups are present in Hungary.

Hope this above was of help to you.

Best regards,
Akos

[Levente_Szabo]

Hi Annemarie,

you are right, there is full medical coverage from the first day of your employment, however you should note, that the public Hungarian healthcare is on an eastern European level, which means, that you have to wait for hours, doctors are rude, etc... For example at the dentist, you dont have to pay for treatment of a decayed tooth, but for a crown, you do.

Because of the reasons mentioned above, we do have additional health insurances, for further info ask your employer, since there are a couple of options to choose from.
Further FYI: you can pay your health insurance with benefit in kind, AKA egészségpénztár.

[Gergo_Csokas]

Hi!

Yes! The government provides full medical coverage, if you paying the taxes. But the healthcare in the country is terrible, I mean the government doesn't pay much attention to health care system, so the hospitals and the doctors overwhelmed, underpaid, queues are too long. Sometimes you need pay some gratuities for the doctors (in the public hospitals) (but sometimes if you want to pay, they will refuse and be offended)

Otherwise there is no restriction, if you need a dental care, go to your district dentistry. Most doctors have private trades(?) as well, but I have no experience these.

The second, no we haven't liability insurance, only for car owners. So if you do something and you will need to pay for it, it will be deducted from you salary or if not possible you sentenced for prison (if you think about it).

So if the company you are going to work with have a Medicover or any private/company scale insurance then OK,
if the company haven't any special insurance , in most cases OK, but sometimes surprises can come.
if your salary is really good, you can choose private hospitals and doctors too.

I hope I helped with the answer

[viktoria_vass]

The compulsory contribution for national healthcare is deducted from you salary by your employer. This covers pretty much all your healthcare needs, including basic dental treatment, but for the latter you may still be asked to contribute.

However the standard of treatment available at public dentists is inconsistent to say the least, so those who can afford typically seek private dental treatment.

Some companies additionally arrange private healthcare for their employees, if yours doesn't, you can always do that for yourself, but like I said it's not really necessarry since national healthcare covers you.

[Ialpek]

Hi,
There is a governmental insurance, which is obligatory, in case you have a job and certain % of your gross salary is deducted by your Hungarian employer. This covers all, except dental care. Quality of the service however is variable and often comes with long ques at the doctor or long waiting list for special treatments. Approx 10% of working Hungarians (and most of foreigners) have additional private insurance (e.g. Medicover), which guarantees no ques and high quality.
In case you would not have a Hungarian employer or local income, than special EU-rules applies, which I don't really know..
Have a great time in Budapest!
Istvan