Public Health System (TAJ)

Last modified: 16. May 2025

Public Health System (TAJ)

o    What is the TAJ Card?
o    Application Procedures by Campus
o    Extension Process by Campus
o    TAJ-in-Progress Certificate

NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE/ SOCIAL SECURITY (TAJ)

How it works?
The application process is assisted by your international coordinator on your own campus. After submitting your application you will get a social security number (TAJ number), then within a few weeks a social security card (TAJ card). With a TAJ number/card you are entitled to have the Hungarian public health service for free. However, there are a few basic services (e.g. certain types of dental services) that are not free.

In this system, you have a general practitioner and a dentist. If you have any health problem, you have to go directly to the general practitioner. In the case you have dental problems, it is better to call the dentist first and ask for an appointment.
If you need a specialist, you can go to the GP first who will direct you to the appropriate specialist if needed. If you want to go directly to a specialist, you should make an appointment first. In any urgent case, you can go directly to the specialist and queue up. Before going to the specialist, you have to register at the reception in the clinic. Bring your passport, address card/certificate, residence permit and TAJ card with you. Unfortunately, receptionists do not usually speak English, so try to ask for a mentor’s help.
Please note that you have to pay for medical reports/ fitness certificates required for a job or other types of application.

Consultation hours of GPs - Gödöllő Campus:

MATE's general practitioner, Dr. Shafiqul Islam, works at the Public Health Clinic, Gödöllő, Szabadság tér 3. (next to the market place).
Dentist: Dr. Feder Asher - works in the town centre: Gödöllő, Szilhát u. 47. Booking an appointment is possible only in Hungarian. Consider whether you ask for an appointment. If you do so, take it seriously. Those who do not appear at the agreed time and miss to cancel their appointment 48 hrs earlier, need to wait for long  - usually for months - for another appointment due to the huge demand.

Name

Phone

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Dr. Shafiqul Islam - GP Szabadság tér 3.

+36-28-430-655
/ ext. 211

+36 70 502-2031

13.00-17.00

08.00-12.00

13.00-17.00

08.00-12.00

14.00-18.00

Dr. Feder Asher - dentist
Szilhát u. 47.

first visit: in person

+36 28 420 202

+36 20 928 4233

Patients ONLY with an appointment: 12.00-13:00

13:00-20.00

---

Patients ONLY with an appointment: 12.00-13:00

  13:00-20.00

9.00-13.30

9.00-14.00

On BUDA CAMPUS

Please enquire at your International Coordinator.

How to apply for a social security card (TAJ)?

On Gödöllő Campus, it is arranged by the International Relations Coordinator for SH, Diaspora, SCYP and FAO scholars, Ms. Judit Tallárom Czingili (Main Building, second floor, room 2070-2072) based on your authorization. Please, collect the required documents (see below), and give them to her during student hours (Monday-Wednesday 13:30-15:00).
On Buda Campus, Ms. Orsolya Nagy, your Campus Coordinator is responsible for the application for the first TAJ card on your authorization. Please, contact her by email or during student hours (Monday 9:00-12:00, 13:00-15:00; Tuesday 13:00-15:00; Friday: 9:00-11:00).
Procedure at Buda Campus:

First, make sure you have a valid residence permit.
And please, contact your Registrar's Officer for a new copy of Student Status Certificate (not older than 30 days).
Please, contact your international coordinator by email (international.buda@uni-mate.hu) or go to see her during opening hours to get an authorization and Application Form that needs to be submitted upon application for a TAJ card. You can also ask for guidance regarding further steps.
You have to submit the required documents to NEAK - National Health Insurance Fund in person. After submission, your TAJ number is sent for registration into NEPTUN system to MATE central address. When this happens, an email notification is sent and/or your TAJ number appears in your Neptun account under "My data/Personal Information/Social security number" 
After validation, your TAJ card is mailed to your Hungarian address or to the university. Once it got delivered to the university, you'll be notified. The application process and mailing can take 2-3 months, so it is recommended that you should start the process as soon as possible. In case you don't get your TAJ card within 2-3 months after submission, please notify your campus coordinator and ask for guidance.
On Keszthely Campus, it is arranged by Campus Coordinator, Ms. Bernadett Zsankó-Bődör based on your authorization. She is responsible for the application for the first TAJ card on your authorization. Please, contact her by email or during opening hours. Please, collect the required documents (see below), and give them to her during opening hours (Monday-Thursday 08:30-16:00, Friday 08:30-13:00).
Procedure at Georgikon Campus:
After submission, your TAJ number is sent for registration into NEPTUN system by your Registrar's Officer. So, your TAJ number can be found in NEPTUN under Personal information as Social Security Number. After validation, your TAJ card is mailed to the Campus and you can pick it up in the International Office (Building ’A’, Room 232).

TAJ-in-progress certificate - Relevant for SH, Dissertation, Diaspora, SCYP and FAO scholars
While your TAJ card is being validated, you might need some medical help. You should visit your Campus International Coordinator for a certificate which shows your TAJ number (if there is one already) and certifies that your TAJ card application is in progress. It also shows that you are entitled to free medical service in public medical centres and hospitals from the beginning of the term.

Required documents for TAJ application:

application form
copy of address card stamped by the Immigration Office OR your electronic address certificate
copy of residence permit, both pages
copy of your passport
student status certificate, not older than 30 days (in Hungarian) (Registrar’s Officer = Educational Coordinator)
authorization
EXTENSION OF SOCIAL SECURITY (TAJ) CARD

GÖDÖLLŐ Campus
There is no need for making an appointment. NEAK Office (Social Security Office) in Gödöllő accepts students during opening hours with their complete documentation.

Required documentation:

Copy of address card stamped by the Immigration Office OR your electronic address certificate
Copy of  your residence permit
Copy of your passport
student status certificate issued within 30 days
(authorization – in case you need Ms. Judit’s assistance)
application form
expired TAJ card if NOT LOST
Preparation of the above documents in IR Office: during Student hours (Mon-Wed 13:30-15:00).
Then students should go to the Social Security Office (NEAK Office) during opening hours.

Address: Gödöllő, Dózsa György út 13. Floor I. Room # 110

Opening hours:

Monday

8:00–15:00

Tuesday

8:00–15:00

Wednesday  

8:00–15:00

Thurs - Sun

Closed

 

BUDA Campus
Contact your Campus Coordinator in an email or during student hours.
Booking an appointment is possible via email: idopontfoglalas.egeszsegbiztositas@ebf.bfkh.gov.hu
OR on the phone, from Monday-Thursday between 8:00-15:00, on Friday between 8:00-12:00
Tel: 06 1 288-5100/Ext. 3388, 06 1 288-5100/Ext. 3329, 06 1 288-5100/Ext. 5327, 06 1 288-5100/Ext. 3619, 06 1 288-5100/Ext. 3108

Information about free and anonym AIDS test (Budapest, Karolina út 35/B.) at http://anonimaids.hu/english-2/

Social Security Office (NEAK - National Health Insurance Fund) in Budapest:

Address: 1139 Budapest, Teve u. 1a-c

Opening hours: 

Monday 

8:00–14:00 

Tuesday 

8:00–18:00 

Wednesday 

8:00–16:30 

Thursday

8:00-14:00

  

Friday

8:00-12:00

GEORGIKON Campus - Keszthely
Same procedure for extension as for application for the first card.