In the first part of our two-part article series, we reviewed how eligibility for family allowance and the family tax allowance changes after completing secondary school education. However, graduating students and their families are affected not only by the rules relating to family benefits but also by the question of eligibility for healthcare coverage.
The termination of the family tax allowance might even lead one to conclude that eligibility for healthcare coverage ends immediately when a student relationship is terminated. However, the regulation is far more nuanced than that. Whether a young person continues their studies, starts working, or suspends their studies may significantly affect when they become liable to pay the health service contribution.
Below, we summarise the most important information for graduating students regarding eligibility for healthcare coverage, the role of student card validity, and the rules governing the payment of the health service contribution in Hungary.
What is the health service contribution?
As its name suggests, the health service contribution serves to finance healthcare services. It covers, among other things, medical treatment available under the social security system, prescription medicines subsidised by social security, medical aids and devices, and patient transport services. In everyday terms, this is commonly referred to as free medical treatment.
On what basis is a student entitled to healthcare coverage?
In Hungary, in certain cases, the costs of healthcare services for students are financed by the central government budget. These include:
- students participating in full-time primary and secondary education or studying under a full-time educational schedule;
- students pursuing studies within a full-time higher education programme, provided they are adult Hungarian citizens or recognised refugees or beneficiaries of subsidiary protection;
- foreign students in higher education institutions, meaning foreign nationals who have established a student status on the basis of an international agreement or a scholarship awarded by the minister responsible for education; and
- students covered by the Act on Hungarians living in neighbouring countries, who have a student status in a higher education institution within a state-funded programme or a programme supported by a Hungarian state (partial) scholarship in full-time education.
How long does healthcare coverage remain available after studies are completed?
Unlike the family allowance and the family tax allowance, eligibility for healthcare coverage (that is, free medical services) is linked not to the end of the academic year but to the validity of the student card.
For graduating students in Hungary, the student card remains valid until 31 October following the termination of student status. Following that, eligibility for healthcare coverage continues for an additional 45 days, provided that the student relationship existed continuously for at least 45 days before its termination.
When must the health service contribution be paid?
If an adult student who previously studied full-time
- does not continue their studies,
- does not take up employment that establishes insured status, and
- is not entitled to healthcare coverage on any other basis, for example as a socially disadvantaged person,
then they become liable to pay the health service contribution from the 46th day after the expiry of their student card, that is, from 16 December. This year, the health service contribution amounts to HUF 12,300 per month, or HUF 410 per day.
A special case applies where a higher education student suspends their studies and takes a passive semester. In this situation, no health service contribution must be paid, provided that eligibility for a student card remains active and the validation sticker has not expired.
What needs to be done to pay the contribution?
Former students do not need to submit any notification regarding the contribution payment obligation. The Hungarian tax authority (NAV), based on data provided by the Hungarian Health Security Fund Administration, automatically records the payment obligation.
It is also possible for another person or organisation – such as a parent or local municipality – to pay the health service contribution on behalf of the former student, subject to the student’s consent and NAV approval.
If a private individual fails to pay the contribution, and the outstanding debt exceeds six times the monthly amount of the health service contribution, they may not use healthcare services free of charge, except for emergency treatment.
Reviewing eligibility and proper timing are key considerations
While parents of graduating children lose eligibility for the family tax allowance within a relatively short period, free healthcare coverage continues for a longer period. The obligation to pay the health service contribution becomes relevant in December, and the first payment must be made by 12 January 2027.
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This article provides general information and does not constitute advice.
