→ → → How to get a TAJ card?
The “TAJ”, also called as social security code (in Hungarian: társadalombiztosítási azonosító jel) is a nine digit code used for personal identification in the administrative processes related to healthcare, social administration, health and pension insurance. The TAJ card is an official identification card.
There are different rules for the different situations.
newborns born in Hungary with Hungarian citizenship:
The TAJ card is officially issued, there is no need for an application. The government office issues and posts the TAJ card to the newborn’s place of residency or to another address requested by the parent, within 8 days.
newborn born in Hungary, but not a Hungarian citizen:
After they were born, the birth registration process has to be initiated in the state of citizenship, and after receiving the necessary documents and establishing a Hungarian place of residency, the TAJ application process can be initiated.
If the mother of the child is insured then the child can access healthcare by using the mothers’ TAJ Card. In case the mother is not insured, then the child can only get a TAJ card with an agreement, read more about the conditions of the agreement here.
residents for social security purpose (“belföldi”) - Hungarian citizens, refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary protection, permanent residents
For individuals who do not have a TAJ, but they become eligible for social security-, social care or unemployed support, they can apply for a TAJ at the designated government office (based on their home or place of residency) that deals with health insurance processes by filling out the application form.
other foreign citizens
For foreign citizens with social security coverage, the employer requests the TAJ before establishing the employment status. For students, the university/college requests for the TAJ. TAJ cards issued for foreign citizens are valid only for a specified time period. After the end of that period the TAJ card becomes invalid.
Replacement of TAJ card if lost/stolen:
If the TAJ card gets lost, stolen, destroyed or damaged, one can apply for a copy of the TAJ card by filling out a form (which can be downloaded from NEAK’s website). The individual or their authorized representative can apply for the TAJ replacement at the designated government office.
If you don’t want to have a TAJ card, you are not allowed to use public hospitals, however, you can visit private doctors.
