The recognition of a diploma/certificate obtained abroad does not exempt the holder from fulfilling further requirements prescribed by law for practicing the profession. Therefore, below we provide information on the procedures initiated ex officio following recognition, as well as on further steps to be taken before commencing healthcare activities.

1. Basic Register

The recognizing authority ex officio ensures that the recognized qualification is entered into the basic register.

Healthcare qualifications must be listed in the basic register following the acquisition of the diploma or certificate, or its naturalization or recognition in Hungary. The purpose of the basic register is the authentic certification of the acquired healthcare qualification.

Entry into the basic register takes place automatically within 30 days of the recognition of the diploma or certificate. More information can be found here.

2. Medical Stamp (for medical doctors and dentists only)

Following the recognition of medical and dental qualifications, after the entry into the basic register, the National Directorate General for Hospitals (NDGFH) electronically notifies the National Health Insurance Fund (hereinafter: NEAK) ex officio of the physician’s or dentist’s personal identification data, residential or contact address, and basic registration number, in order to issue the medical stamp.

Further information on the medical stamp can be found here.

3. Membership of the Chamber 

For pharmacists and healthcare professionals, membership in the professional chamber is compulsory for practicing healthcare activities in Hungary. Admission to the professional chamber relevant to the qualification must be applied for by the applicant after entry into the basic register.

Details about submitting the membership application and its conditions can be found on the websites of the relevant professional chambers.

The chamber's in the area of healthcare:

  • doctors, dentists: Hungarian Medical Chamber (Magyar Orvosi Kamara) - From 2nd of March 2023 the membership of the competent professional chamber is not compulsory for doctors and dentist, the membership is optional for them. The doctors and dentists can get the Operational Registration without holding a membership in the chamber.
  • pharmacists: Hungarian Chamber of Pharmacists (Magyar Gyógyszerészi Kamara)
  • healthcare professionals (physiotherapists, nurses, midwives, etc.): Chamber of Hungarian Healthcare Professionals (Magyar Egészségügyi Szakdolgozói Kamara)

4. Operational Registration

The professional who wants to effectively pursue the healthcare activity without supervision in Hungary should be registered in the operational registration based on the professionals application.

Further information on the procedure and the required documents can be found on our website:

  • Operational Registration for medical doctors, dentists, pharmacists, and healthcare professionals with clinical qualifications
  • Operational Registration for other healthcare professionals (physiotherapists, nurses, midwives, etc.)

5. Operating License for Providers of Healthcare Services in Their Own Name (Entrepreneurs)

Any natural person, legal entity, or business association without legal personality providing healthcare services in their own name (i.e., not as an employee) must have an operating license to provide such activities. The operating license must be requested from the territorially competent Government Office, Department of Public Health.