Visa and medical insurance

Visa information

Students have to apply for their visa and residence permits individually. There are three categories of students – check which category applies to you.

  • EU & EEA citizens do not need a visa. Register with the immigration office after you arrive in Hungary and enrol. You will then be able to apply for a registration card.

Non-EU/EEA “visa waiver” nationals. Check to see if your passport is “OP” (ordinary passport) on this list. If you are a citizen of one of these countries, you too can travel to and enter Hungary without a visa. Once you arrive in Hungary you will need to apply for a residence permit within 30 days of your arrival. You will need a visa (“Type D”) for study purposes – this will allow you to remain in Hungary for the duration of your studies.

Non-EU/EEA nationals need a visa to enter Hungary. Apply for a 30-day residence permit first by completing a form. You will then typically require an interview at your country’s Hungarian Embassy or Consulate. On arrival, you will then apply for a long-term residence permit/visa (“Type D”) for study purposes.

To apply for a 30-day residence permit (category 3), you will need the following:

  1. The application form
  2. Two passport-style photos
  3. Your passport, valid for at least three months longer than your stay, with at least two blank pages.
  4. Copies of any previous visas you have been issued.
  5. Your unconditional acceptance letter from Corvinus University of Budapest.
  6. Health insurance that covers a minimum of €30,000 in Hungary and the Schengen area. Not required for Stipendium and Diaspora scholarship students, only for self-funded applicants.
  7. Bank statements to cover living costs (minimum equivalent to €9,000 recommended). These should be in your name (highly recommended). Alternatively, statements from a parent/guardian along with written proof (for example, a signed letter) that you have access to the funds, along with documents (for example, birth certificates) which prove your relationship. Statements from other family members will not be accepted. Not required for Stipendium and Diaspora scholarship students, only for self-funded applicants.
  8. Letter of award of scholarship, for Stipendium and Diaspora applicants. Not required for self-funded students.
  9. Your flight ticket(s).
  10. Your accommodation reservation – this may be a temporary address, for example a hotel or Airbnb reservation.
  11. English language proficiency certificate.

Bear in mind that the visa process might take 4-5 weeks, so category 3 students should apply for a visa and secure an interview as soon as possible.

Medical insurance

Access to health care services for international students in Hungary varies depending on their country of origin and the type of scholarship or exchange programme they participate in. The following information outlines the entitlements for different groups and presents the university’s recommended private health insurance option.

  • Students from European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) countries who hold a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) are entitled to receive medically necessary care under the same conditions as Hungarian nationals. It is important that they register their EHIC upon arrival and present it when seeking medical assistance. This covers treatment deemed medically necessary during their stay, based on the professional judgement of the attending physician. 

Students from non-EU countries are not eligible for state-funded healthcare through the EHIC system. Therefore, they must ensure that they have adequate health insurance coverage for the duration of their studies in Hungary. Proof of valid insurance may also be required when applying for a residence permit.

Students studying in Hungary under the Stipendium Hungaricum or the Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship are entitled to a range of health services as part of their scholarship. The scholarship includes health care services and supplementary medical insurance for up to HUF 65,000 (cca EUR 170) a year/person. 

Recommended health insurance plan

Self-funding international students not automatically entitled to health services in Hungary should consider this option. Having health insurance in place might also be required for visa application purposes. The university therefore recommends taking out a private health insurance policy. The university has an established framework agreement with a trusted health insurance provider, Generali.

Key features of the recommended insurance plan

  • General practitioner services in English
  • 24/7 English-language medical hotline (without doctor’s support)
  • English-speaking Call Centre available weekdays from 08:00 to 20:00
  • No sub-limits for outpatient or inpatient care
  • Medical transport and repatriation included
  • Emergency care: available outside of regular hours via Hungary’s national emergency services (112 or 104)
  • Specialist consultations, including outpatient surgical procedures
  • Diagnostic tests (e.g., laboratory, X-ray, ultrasound) when medically necessary
  • Day surgeries and hospital care including necessary surgical interventions and inpatient treatment
  • Coverage limit: HUF 2,000,000 per person per year
  • No TAJ card (Hungarian social security number) required

The gross annual premium for this insurance is HUF 146 304 (cca 370 €) per person.

Please note: Although the university has a formal agreement with the provider, each student must contract the insurance individually and bear the associated costs.

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