How to apply for the student ID card
Getting your Hungarian student ID card (diákigazolvány) is completely free if you are an active student. Not only does it unlock massive local discounts, but it also doubles as an EU-wide discount card!
Here is the exact process to apply and get your card without delays.
1.Get your NEK document at a Kormányablak:Bring your Passport and Address Certificate.
Visit any Government Window (Kormányablak) in your city. The officers will take your photo and register your data into the central system to give you a NEK identifier document.
2.Register your application online:
Log into your university’s administrative system (e.g., Neptun) and enter the NEK identifier from the document you received in Step 1 to officially submit your card request.
3.Request a temporary card:
The government will manufacture your permanent card and mail it to your university, which can take time. While you wait, go to your university’s registrar’s office and ask for a temporary student ID card. It is valid for 60 days and gives you the exact same discounts.
4.Pick up and validate your permanent card:Must be repeated every semester.
Your university will notify you when your permanent plastic card arrives. Once you pick it up, the registrar’s office must validate it with a holographic sticker. You must get a new validation sticker at the start of every semester for the card to remain active.
Why You Need It (The Perks)
Your Hungarian student card is also a member of the European Youth Card Association (EYCA), meaning you get benefits locally and across most of the EU:
- Transportation: 50% off public transport tickets and passes in Hungary.
- Culture: Heavily discounted entrance fees to museums and historical sites.
- Travel & Leisure: Cheaper rates at youth hostels, libraries, and various commercial shops.
(Note: Keep your NEK document safe! Your NEK identifier is valid for 5 years, but if your photo, signature, or personal data changes, you will need to apply for a new one.)
Crucial: Your personal details (name, mother’s maiden name, place of birth) on the NEK document must perfectly match your details in your university’s administrative system (like Neptun). Even a missing middle name will cause delays!
Temporary Student ID certificate
In case fo short term studies it is possible to apply for the Temporary Student ID certificate valid for 90 days:
- Make sure to have an active student status in Neptun (Please see it here)
- Present your passport at the Student Service Office
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