Breaking! Foreigners living in Hungary to receive vaccines from this week
For weeks, it has been a question whether foreigners living in Hungary are entitled to vaccination, and if so, under what conditions. Many complained about the lack of information, so we asked the government at the regular weekly press briefing.
There have been quite a few comments about foreigners struggling to get vaccinated in Hungary. So far, official statements have only concerned the vaccination of diplomats. Diplomats from the countries from which Hungary received vaccines, such as Chinese, Russian, and British diplomats, were first vaccinated in early April. Vaccination of embassy staff began in mid-April.
Regarding the lack of information, we reported about an American citizen who has been teaching university classes in Budapest for 14 years. Officially, he is a guest lecturer whose work is paid for by an American non-profit foundation, costing the institution practically zero.
However, that also meant that since he is technically not employed by the university, his job did not allow him to get registered in the Hungarian social security system and thus obtain a TAJ (social security) number. And this was the tricky part: while the government announced that those with expired TAJ numbers are also eligible for the coronavirus vaccine, there was no word on the rights of those who have never had one.
Until now.
According to today’s press briefing, from May 1, foreigners living permanently in Hungary can also register for vaccination without a social security number (TAJ card) because their protection is also needed, the minister said in response to the question.
Meanwhile, he added that Hungary wanted to finish vaccinating its own citizens before helping other countries, adding that ethnic Hungarians living beyond the border were “first in line” when it came to receiving help.
Read alsoFurther loosening on the horizon after 5 million vaccinated in Hungary!
Source: MTI, www.portfolio.hu
14 Comments
Alexandra Beni – PLEASE post details of web site or other – Residence Permit Card Holders- can register.
Residence Permit Card Holders – requires renewing every (2) years.
YOU are provided NO – TAJ number.
DETAILS please – what do we – holders of – AGAIN – name on the Plastic Card – Issued by the Hungarian Government – carried as our IDENTIFICATION in Hungary – WHAT and WHERE do we Register. ???
Dear Albert Andrew Booth,
We will update the article as soon as we find out details about the process.
Thank you for following and commenting!
Albert – I don’t understand why you don’t have a Taj card. I have a residence permit but don’t work. I went to the appropriate office in Budapest, filled out a couple of simple forms and then eventually (after chasing up the office up a few times by email) received a Taj card for which I pay 8,000 huf a month. In my case the process took 6 months because the Hungarian health office took 4 months to send their document request to the UK and one month for the UK to respond. Painfully slow at this end, but I prevailed. The irony is that I only use private medical services in Budapest!
Unlike ‘ANONYMOUS’, it seems that Albert Andrew Booth (a.k.a. Professor “Mad-dog” Caritas) was NOT prepared to follow the correct process for obtaining a ‘Taj’ card.
One has to assume that EITHER he is a total loony and cannot get his non-functioning brain ‘into gear’ (more than likely, eh Professor ?) OR he is “an American” and – contrary to their expectations – the world does not revolve around U.S.A.
Nicolaus Copernicus – a Polish astronomer – argued almost 500 years ago that Earth was NOT at the centre of the Universe, contrary to prevailing beliefs of that time.
All Americans should take note of this major scientific discovery and cease their bizarre modern-day adherence to a pseudo-Ptolemaic system of U.S. world-centricity.
Anonymous,
Thank-You for your comment.
Explanation we have received from the Hungarian Immigration Department, in Budafoki, is because we do not speak, nor write Hungarian – we are not under the status of being – Residence Card Holders, granted a TAJ number.
No Hungarian – yes Residence Card but No TAJ number.
Do you speak Hungarian ?
If not and we have lived in Budapest for (4) four years I will go into this TAJ matter further.
Thank-You again for your comment.
Albert – you do not get the Taj card from Immigration. It’s nothing to do with them. And no, you do not need to speak Hungarian (I do, but I have Englush friends here that don’t). You need to go to your local National Institute of Health Insurance Fund offices – it’s called ‘ Nemzeti Egészségbiztosítási Alapkezelő’. Their website is neak.gov.hu and it has an English language option. Best email them to check if there is an office near you, but the place that deals with things is 1139 Budapest, Teve utca 1/a-c. Opposite a new police HQ tower block. Metro Árpád Hid. Open until 3pm except Weds 5.30 anf Fri 1pm.
I’m not sure why this is news. If you don’t have a TAJ card, you can still register for vaccine by entering all zeros for the TAJ number and get vaccinated. I know many expats who have been doing this for a long time now.
The problem isn’t the permanent resident expats. The real problem is those foreigners here for a year or two, for work or school or other reasons, who also need to get vaccinated. This “new” government policy, which has been in place for a while now, does nothing to address this.
How is it possible to register now when the vakcininfo.gov.hu page still needs a taj number? Is there another website that works for foreigners without a taj number? It is May 1 today, and nothing is available to be able to register or ask for an appointment.
Anonymous and Jose,
Thank-You for your advice.
Very Much Appreciated.
Please stay Safe & Well – You and Yours.
Dear Jose,
i tried to enter all zeros for the TAJ number, but it does not work.
Guys,
I will keep focus on this article to see how the expats without TAJ card get vaccinated in Hungary.
As far as i know, every one who has been vaccinated will receive a vaccine certificate allowing them to return normal life, like visiting indoor areas freely. It is unfair and embarrassing for the ones has not been vaccinated yet!
I hope every one will have a good summer time soon.
Dear Jose,
i tried to enter all zeros for the TAJ number, but it does not work.
Guys,
I will keep focus on this article to see how the expats without TAJ card get vaccinated in Hungary.
As far as i know, every one who has been vaccinated will receive a vaccine certificate allowing them to return normal life, like visiting indoor areas freely. It is unfair and embarrassing for the ones has not been vaccinated yet!
I hope every one will have a good summer time soon.
Dear Jose,
i tried to enter all zeros for the TAJ number, but it does not work.
Guys,
I will keep focus on this article to see how the expats without TAJ card get vaccinated in Hungary.
As far as i know, every one who has been vaccinated will receive a vaccine certificate allowing them to return normal life, like visiting indoor areas freely. It is unfair and embarrassing for the ones has not been vaccinated yet!
I hope every one will have a good summer time soon.
What about foreign tourists , I’m interested in Sputnik light vaccine? I have been vaccinated twice with Pfizer, but looks like is loosing his effectiveness after 8-9 months. I saw that in Israel, so I’m interested where I can get Sputnik light , that can be an option .
Thanks,
Ted
Hello Alexandra,
What about foreign tourists , I’m interested in Sputnik light vaccine? I have been vaccinated twice with Pfizer, but looks like is loosing his effectiveness after 8-9 months. I saw that in Israel, so I’m interested where I can get Sputnik light , that can be an option .
Thanks,
Ted