Health Issues

Accidents and illnesses can happen unexpectedly, so it is important to have appropriate health insurance during your stay in Hungary. Health insurance helps cover all or part of your medical expenses if you become ill or are injured. It is also a mandatory requirement for obtaining a residence permit.

Your insurance must provide comprehensive health coverage. Please note that life insurance or accident insurance alone is not sufficient. You must have health insurance that covers emergency treatment, first aid and non-emergency medical care.

 
International students have the opportunity to purchase a health insurance through the University. For certain study programs, the cost of this insurance is included in the tuition fee. For further information, please contact your Faculty. Health Insurance is valid throughout Hungary and provides:

• Full coverage of medical treatment costs covered by the policy;
• 50% reimbursement of the cost of prescribed medicines and therapeutic aids.

Citizens of EU Member States are entitled to emergency healthcare during a temporary stay in Hungary if they hold a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This includes emergency treatment and other medically necessary care under the same conditions as Hungarian citizens. As the EHIC provides limited coverage, we recommend that EU students also consider purchasing the Generali Studium Health Insurance for more comprehensive protection.

Students receiving the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship are entitled to Hungary's public health insurance system (NEAK). They receive a Hungarian social security number and the physical card, which provides access to public healthcare services throughout the country.

 
Students may also choose to obtain private international health insurance from a provider of their choice, either as an alternative to or in addition to other available insurance options.

If you require medical assistance during your stay, several healthcare options are available. In case of a medical emergency, call the emergency services by dialing 112, or go directly to the Emergency Department (SBO): 6725 Szeged, 6 Semmelweis Street.

For non-emergency medical issues, we strongly recommend registering with a General Practitioner (GP) shortly after your arrival. Your GP will be your first point of contact for most healthcare needs and can provide treatment or refer you to specialist services when necessary.

For more detailed information about health insurance and healthcare services, please consult the relevant sections listed below.

If you are ill and you need medical attention:

• In all cases, you must first register for a GP visit and book an appointment through the MODULO SYSTEM.
• In urgent cases and between 16 p.m. and 7 a.m. on weekdays, at weekends and on public holidays, you can call the MEDIVERSAL CALL CENTER, which is available 0-24 at +36 70 439 2188, and then choose the Generali STUDIUM menu item! In justified cases, your GP will see you as a matter of urgency.
• If you are ill but you are not in Szeged, you must also call the CALL CENTER, which is available 0-24 at +36 70 439 2188, and then choose the Generali STUDIUM menu item. They will try to help you and inform you about the possibilities and further to-dos.
• Your GP: University of Szeged, Alber Szent-Györgyi Medical School, Department of Family Medicine, Training Health Centre (SZTE SZAOK Családorvosi Intézet Oktató Rendelője), the Teaching Office of the Medical School's Primary Care Institute, 6722 Szeged, 97 Tisza Lajos krt. Floor I (mezzanine ground floor) Office 21 and 22. Reception hours:
• Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9:00-12:30
• Tuesday, Thursday: 12:30-16:00

How to receive the insurance:

• In order to receive the insurance you have to be active in Neptun system and your financial status needs to be in order. In case you are entitled to receive the insurance, your insurance will be automatically activated in the Modulo system which can be accessed by the GP, the clinics the Insurance Company. Freshmen are going to receive an insurance card and contract upon joining the insurance plan which is issued by the Students’ Service Office (HSZI). To receive the insurance card, book an appointment through Modulo. Without the card, you are not entitled for the insurance, so pick it up as soon as you arrive.
• If you have to pay for the insurance (if it is not included in your tuition fee/scholarship), the Students’ Service Office (HSZI) will generate a payment obligation which will show up in your Neptun account under Finances/Payments. You will be able to pay in Neptun via a simple online card transaction. When the payment is completed, the status of the payment obligation will change to “fulfilled” in Neptun, so you will be able to see if your payment was successful. Once your payment is completed, HSZI will be able to validate your insurance.

TAJ Card

 

Students with a Hungarian governmental scholarship (such as Stipendium Hungaricum or Scholarship for Christian Young People) are entitled to enjoy health care services in accordance with Act 53/1997 - (point i) of section (1) of paragraph 16 - and they are entitled to have a social security card ("TAJ card"). With TAJ card (the card for Hungary’s national health insurance scheme), scholarship holders are publicly ensured and they are able to access public healthcare for free, not just emergency or urgent care.

How to apply for TAJ card?

• Scholarship holders need to formally request the public health insurance card (TAJ card) at the Office for International Full-time Study Programmes (Rector’s Office – 6720 Szeged, 13 Dugonics Square, Room 45.)

You will need to make an appointment at sipos.fanni.lili@szte.hu.

You will need 1 copy of the following documents (not the original!):

• Student Status Certificate in Hungarian (from your Faculty)
• Accommodation Reporting Form
• Approval of your residence permit (with the digital signature on it)
• Residence Permit
• Passport
• Please keep in mind that in case of some countries you will need some additional papers (please ask our colleague).

What to do if the TAJ card expires?

If the TAJ card expires, scholarship holders need to return the old TAJ card to the Office for International Full-time Study Programmes and they will help you to apply for a new TAJ card - if you are still eligible for a TAJ card. You can request for your new TAJ card at the same office. You will need to make an appointment at sipos.fanni.lili@szte.hu.

You will need 1 copy of the following documents (not the original!):

• Student Status Certificate in Hungarian (from your Faculty)
• Accommodation Reporting Form
• Approval of your residence permit (with the digital signature on it)
• Residence Permit
• Passport
• Please keep in mind that in case of some countries you will need some additional papers (please ask from our colleagues).

What to do if the TAJ card is lost or damaged?

If the TAJ card is lost or damaged, scholarship holders need to request a new TAJ card - if they are still eligible for a TAJ card. In case of a lost or stolen TAJ card the administrative service fee to request a new card is HUF 4,000. You can pay it via a postal check that you can ask from the Office for International Full-time Study Programmes during opening hours. After you payed the fee you have to bring back the check to the Office when you’re coming for a renewal.

The opening hours of the office are:

• Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 10:00 -11:00
• Tuesday, Thursday: 14:00-15:00

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

 

According to the European Union law, citizens from EEA countries are subjects to free medical care in emergency cases or if treatment becomes necessary during their visit abroad (for example, due to illness or an accident), provided they have a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) at hand from an EEA member home country. Cards are issued by your national health insurance provider. The European Health Insurance Card is not an alternative to travel insurance and it can only be used in the framework of public health care provision. It does not cover:

• private healthcare
• costs such as return flights to your home country
• lost or stolen property

It does not cover your costs if you are traveling for the express purpose of obtaining medical treatment. Furthermore, it does not guarantee free services. Because healthcare systems vary between countries, some services that are free in your home country may not be free elsewhere.

In most cases primary care is provided by the general practitioner (GP) designated to the district of residence. If you have Generali Studium Healthcare Insurance, you can visit the university’s GP, Dr. Pál Krisztina through Modulo. On this website you can check who your designated general practitioner is. (Click “Háziorvosi”, which is Hungarian for GP and unclick the rest, choose your street from the drop-down menu ’Kerület neve’, and then click the search icon).

As the insurance only covers necessary treatment, we strongly recommend our students to get an addition insurance.

 

International Health Insurance

Students may choose to obtain international health insurance from a provider in their home country, provided that the policy offers comprehensive health coverage valid in Hungary.

Please note that, in most cases, students are required to pay for medical treatment upfront. Reimbursement of eligible medical expenses must then be claimed directly from the insurance provider in accordance with the terms and conditions of the policy.

Need a Doctor?

In case of an emergency

No matter what type of insurance you have, in case of an emergency you have to:

• either call the ambulance at 104 (from a Hungarian network)
• or go to the ER: Clinical Center, Emergency Patient Care Independent Unit (SBO): 6725 Szeged, 6 Semmelweis Street. Phone: +36 62/342 – 477 / 488 / 499

Please make sure to have your documents (passport, residence permit, a copy of student status certificate and a copy of the accommodation reporting form with you) and your insurance card(s) with you. It is possible that you will need to pay for the treatment and get reimbursed later – depending on the type of your insurance.

In case of other medical issues

We strongly recommend to pick a General Practitioner (GP) soon after your arrival. This will save you a lot of trouble in case you have health issues, since the GP will be your gateway to any kind of healthcare services. The procedure to find your GP varies according to your type of insurance.

• If you have the health insurance which was offered through the university, you can find all the information on how to book an appointment with your GP or any other medical specialist on this website. You do not need to find a GP yourself, it is taken care of in the framework of the insurance. However, you do need to book an appointment through Modulo.
• If you have a TAJ Card, you need to contact your GP first in case of non-life-threatening medical issues. If necessary, your GP may redirect you to a specialist for special treatment. Prescribed medicines can be bought at any pharmacies with the prescription from the doctor. You can find the GP of your liking on this website. You can pick any of them, however the site allows for searching the practitioner closest to where you live. (Click “Háziorvosi”, which is Hungarian for GP and unclick the rest, choose your street from the drop-down menu ’Kerület neve’, and then click the search icon).
• If you have a European Health Insurance Card, you need to contact your GP first in case of non-life-threatening medical issues. If necessary, your GP may redirect you to a specialist for special treatment. Prescribed medicines can be bought at any pharmacies with the prescription from the doctor. You need the find the GP assigned to your place of residence on this website. You do not have any choice here, you need to pick to one dedicated to your address. (Click “Háziorvosi”, which is Hungarian for GP and unclick the rest, choose your street from the drop-down menu ’Kerület neve’, and then click the search icon).
• If you have your own, private (international) health insurance, please follow the procedure as described in the manual provided.

6. Pharmacies

There are numerous pharmacies throughout Szeged where you can purchase prescription medicines, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, herbal remedies, teas, and other healthcare products.

Pharmacies are usually open between 07:00 and 19:00, but opening hours vary. At least one pharmacy is open outside regular opening hours to provide emergency service. You can find information about pharmacies open outside regular opening hours at this website. (Please note that the information is provided in Hungarian; to identify the pharmacy providing emergency service outside regular opening hours, look for the phrase “utána ügyeletet tart” , followed by the name and address of the relevant pharmacy.)

In addition to pharmacies, many vitamins, herbal products, cosmetics, and personal care items are available in drugstores. The two largest drugstore chains in Hungary are Rossmann and dm.