Hungarians Working Abroad and the International Health Services of Domestic Vacationers

The issue of entitlement to healthcare for Hungarian citizens working abroad and during foreign vacations is a concern for many. Those who work in other countries often find that their relationship with the domestic healthcare system becomes more complicated. Since different countries have varying regulations, it is important to be aware of what services they are entitled to and what steps they need to take if healthcare issues arise.

The situation becomes even more complex when Hungarian citizens go on vacation abroad. It is also necessary to clarify what services they can access and what foreign healthcare providers will accept. With the right information, both Hungarians working abroad and tourists can ensure that they receive appropriate healthcare when needed.

The aim of this article is to provide detailed information to Hungarian citizens living and working abroad about healthcare entitlements and their options during foreign vacations.

Entitlement to healthcare for Hungarian citizens working abroad

Hungarian citizens working abroad are entitled to various healthcare services depending on where they are employed. If they work within the European Economic Area (EEA), the regulations of the respective country apply to them. In this case, it is important for employees to be aware of their contribution payment obligations, as contributions must only be paid in the country where they work.

If a Hungarian citizen returns home and needs healthcare, their entitlement is verified by the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). With this card, they are entitled to medically necessary treatments, but only for the planned duration of their stay. It is important to note that the social security card is not sufficient for those working abroad, as entitlement must be verified according to the regulations of the country where they are employed.

For Hungarian citizens working abroad, a form issued by the foreign insurer is required to verify entitlement, which must be submitted to the government office in their place of residence. This process is not only a legal obligation but also an essential step to obtain the appropriate care. The foreign insurer provides information for issuing the form, which helps workers understand their rights.

Healthcare during foreign vacations

When Hungarian citizens go on vacation abroad, it is important to be aware of local healthcare systems and entitlements. When traveling to EEA member states, it is advisable to obtain the European Health Insurance Card, which can be requested free of charge unless lost or damaged. With this card, travelers can access medically necessary healthcare services provided by the respective country’s healthcare providers.

With the card, Hungarian citizens can turn to healthcare providers who have a contractual relationship with the social security system of the respective country, where services must be provided as if they were insured in that country. It is crucial that the necessity of services be assessed by the treating physician, and having the card does not exempt one from paying any hospital admission fees or deductibles.

If someone does not have an EHIC, they must pay for the services out of pocket and can later claim reimbursement against the invoice. The application deadline is six months, but patients must be aware that mandatory health insurance only partially covers foreign services. It is particularly important to consider that in some countries, there may also be costs associated with emergency care that the patient must bear.

Why it is worth taking out travel insurance?

Although Hungarians living abroad and vacationers are entitled to certain healthcare services, it is also worth considering taking out travel insurance. The range of healthcare services available abroad is often more limited than at home, and the number of doctors working in private practice is increasing, which can significantly raise costs.

In the event of an accident or emergency, mandatory health insurance often does not cover repatriation, so private insurance can provide security. Additionally, in the case of a mountain accident, the rescue costs are also borne by the patient, which can be a significant amount in many cases. For countries outside the EEA, the costs of healthcare services must be fully covered by the patient, making insurance essential.

Overall, it is important for Hungarian citizens working abroad and vacationers to be aware of their rights and obligations regarding healthcare services and to weigh the benefits of travel insurance to feel safe abroad.