eID CARD APPLICATIONS

 

The eID card is a permanent ID card issued from 1st January 2016 that has a storage element (chip). This chip allows you to use a number of electronic convenience services: e.g. e-government, eSignature, public transport, ePrescription, etc. The range of functions is constantly expanding and you can find out more on this website. The issuing authority is the Ministry of Interior (Belügyminisztérium).

Only Hungarian citizens can apply for an ID card and only permanent ID cards can be requested. It is not possible to apply for a temporary ID card at the Consulate.

The permanent ID card can be renewed or replaced in the following circumstances:

  • change in personal data,
  • expiration of validity,
  • error of fact or if the card gets lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed.

It is possible to renew the ID card that is about to expire no sooner than 60 days before the date of expiration.

Appointments are required and can be scheduled online. A separate appointment must be booked for each applicant (e.g. if you are applying for yourself and your child for a eID card, you need to book 2 appointments). The appointments shown online are the earliest available. Each day, new appointment slots are added. Therefore, if no appointments are available, please wait until the next day and try again.

eID card fee

Applying for an eID card is free of charge.

Validity of the eID card

The document is valid until the date of birth 3 years after the date of issue, if the holder:

  • has not yet reached the age of 12, but in this case the validity period may also be up to the date of reaching the age of 12;
  • has reached the age of 12 but has not yet reached the age of 18.

The document is valid until the date of birth 6 years after the date of issue, if the holder has reached the age of 18 years.

The document is valid for 10 years from the date of issue if the holder has reached the age of 70 and applies for the document.

The document is valid for 1 year from the date of issue if the chip does not contain a fingerprint because the applicant is temporarily physically unable to provide one.

The validity period can not be extended.

Application process:

Please present all the required documents when coming to the Consulate. If you fail to prepare your application properly you will be advised to book a new appointment and come back later.

At your appointment you are required to present the following documents:

  • valid permanent ID card or an ID card that expired not more than 1 year ago;
  • Hungarian passport or a passport that expired not more than 1 year ago;
  • if you have one: Hungarian address card (lakcímet igazoló hatósági igazolvány - official certificate on personal identifier and address of domicile)
  • birth certificate
    More information on how to obtain a Hungarian birth/marriage certificate can be found here.
  • marriage certificate showing your current name
    If you are recently married and wish to apply for an eID card in your married name, please note that marriages concluded abroad must also be registered in Hungary. You can apply for an eID card in your married name only if your marriage has been registered in Hungary first. Please book your appointment accordingly!

In case you do not have a valid Hungarian ID card or passport, you have to present either one of the following documents:

  • valid foreign ID card or passport
  • valid Hungarian or foreign driving license card (provisional driving license won't be accepted)

The old ID card must be taken. Valid ID cards are given back for use until the arrival of the new document. However, in this case the new ID card can only be taken after handing over of the old document at the Consulate. If you possess a valid Hungarian ID card, yet you are unable to present them during the procedure, your application for the ID card will not be accepted, except if the valid document has been lost or stolen. In this case, you have to give a declaration about the fact that the card was stolen or lost. Your declaration will be drawn up in an official report at the Consulate.

Upon the submission of the application, your photo, fingerprints and signature are digitally recorded.

Fingerprints will not be recorded if:

  • the Hungarian citizen is under age of 6;
  • the applicant is physically unable to give fingerprints

Minor applicants who have turned 14 can apply for an ID card on their own (without the presence of a parent).

An application form is not required as it will be provided during your appointment.

IF THE APPLICANT IS UNDER 14 YEARS OF AGE

 

Important information and list of necessary documents:

  • Please always bring the original birth certificate of the child.
    If the birth of the child has not yet been registered in Hungary and the child doesn’t have a Hungarian birth certificate, the registration of the child's birth has to be initiated first. Please book your appointment accordingly!
  • All passport applications of children under the age of 14 have to be submitted by both parents (with parental responsibility) in person as a general rule. If only one of the parents is able to be present, the other should sign this consent letter. His or her signature on the letter must be authenticated. 
  • Parents must identify themselves with a Hungarian passport, ID card, or driver's license in case of a Hungarian parent, and with a passport in case of a foreign parent.
  • Under the age of 12, please bring a passport photo of the child. The photo should have a white background.
  • A child under the age of 6 does not have to be present at the time of the application. However, if the child is over 6, he/she should appear at the Consulate in person together with the parents.
  • If only one parent has custody over the child, the relevant document (e.g. court order or death certificate) must be presented as proof. In order to avoid any misunderstandings, please get in touch with us in advance via konz.edi@mfa.gov.hu

An application form is not required as it will be provided during your appointment.

Codes and passwords

By default, you will receive one envelope with green border when requesting the eID card – this is an Identity card code card containing our unique activation PIN code and PUK code.

Once you have received your eID card, you can e.g. create a Governmental Client Gate (Ügyfélkapu) profile online at www.magyarorszag.hu using your unique PIN code. The PIN code is also necessary for some of the Hungary-based services provided by the eID card.

Convenience services provided by the eID card are not available without the activation of the PIN code. However, the eID card can be used for travelling and personal identification even without the activation of the PIN code.

Please note that in case you lose the PIN envelope before receiving the new eID card, the Consulate will not be able to initiate an application for a new PIN code. Likewise, the Consulate has no competence in the re-activation of the blocked PUK code, either.

It is not possible to request an electronic signature (eSignature) at the Consulate. You can apply for electronic signature and time stamping services in person at government offices and document offices in Hungary.

More information about the eID card (including the available services, codes and passwords) can be found at https://eszemelyi.hu/en/  

Rejection

The application can be rejected if:

  • the applicant is not registered in the personal data and address information database;
  • if the applicant has a passive record in the personal data and address information database (for instance because formerly having settled abroad);
  • the applicant has failed to register an event (marriage, divorce) happened abroad which caused the change of the name (for instance, she has taken her husband’s surname).

The applicant can lodge an appeal against the negative decision within 15 days. The appeal must be submitted to the Consulate where the negative decision has been made. The appeal must be explained.

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