Fertility treatment in Hungary
Country profile

Fertility treatment in Hungary

All fertility treatments and assisted reproductive technology applications are covered by the Act on Health, Chapter IX, 20/2007 and by Ministerial Decrees which update legislation in line with pan-European developments. Hungary only has a few fertility clinics, less than 20, but these have a well established reputation.

Rules on who can be treated appear relatively strict in that married couples need to produce documentary evidence of their marriage, and cohabiting couples need to have written evidence of a public declaration of their partnership. Single women can be treated if they have a medical condition that prevents pregnancy; lesbians are treated in practice as single women but male homosexual couples cannot receive treatment as IVF surrogacy is not permitted.

ISCI

Allowed

Pre-implantation diagnosis

Allowed but not for gender selection

Micromanipulation

Allowed

Assisted hatching

Allowed

IVF surrogacy

Not allowed

Average prices for IVF in Hungary

Costs for treatments vary with individual clinics; the following is a rough guide based on prices quoted in January 2012.

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The Hungarian healthcare system

The Hungarian public health system is free for all and has been in existence since the mid 1940s. Financing is done through the National Healthcare Fund. This collects premiums at regional level from tax-payers, including self-employed workers and then re-distributes the funds for use at local level.

Standards are extremely high; Hungary treats many patients from Germany who have been traveling across mainland Europe for lower-priced cosmetic and dental treatment for years. As cross-border medical tourism is expanding at a European and global level, Hungary is well equipped to cope with the increased demand.

Private clinics exist for Hungarians and medical tourists and are of a high standard. Hungarians pay for their treatment on a ‘pay-as-you-go’ basis, rather than through medical insurance. The reputation of fertility clinics in Hungary is good and the pricing structures mean that IVF costs are only a fraction of those in USA clinics. Hungary is therefore a popular destination for American couples, as well as Europeans from countries such as the UK and Germany. Waiting times are short and fertility specialists are well qualified, many having trained or worked in other European centres.

About Hungary

Hungary is located in eastern Europe but is close to the major western European centres, bordering Austria to the west. It is a land-locked country, so no sea views but is well known for its beautiful tourist locations that are popular with visitors from all over the world. Lake Balaton is a vast expanse water that is often described as the ‘Hungarian sea’, but is actually freshwater and is a site of conservation and scientific interest. Away from the capital, the country has hundreds of thermal springs in over 85 different locations that offer spa treatments and relaxations using the mineral-rich spa waters.

The country has a rich history and its own, unique culture. Many of the fertility clinics are located in the capital Budapest, which is popular with other Europeans as a weekend city break destination. This beautiful city lies on the banks of the famous Danube river and is packed with ancient cobbled streets as well as many cultural centres such as the Hungarian National Gallery. It has a city wall, a Royal Palace, a castle (Buda Castle) and has an increasingly modern city centre with good shopping.

Relaxing in a coffee house or small café is almost a national obsession and there are over 400 in Budapest alone. Restaurants serve good quality and highly affordable meals; Hungarian goulash is a popular choice, as is any pork dish. Hungarian wine, which is even more affordable is excellent and award-winning.

Hungary became a full member of the EU in 2004 but does not use the Euro. Exchange rates for the Forint in January 2012 were 1000 Forints to $4.34, £2.79 or €3.35.