APPLICATION

eID CARD APPLICATION PROCESS

Below you will find general information on how to apply for an eID card, but there is also important and detailed information on the relevant legislation:

Application process and activation

The application of a new eID card includes the following steps. Request the document, activate your electronic functions and set PIN codes.

If you would like to make an appointment in order to apply for a new eID card, you can do so via Governmental Hotline or personally at the government office.

When you apply for an eID card, you can identify yourself by presenting the relevant documents and start the process.

  • The administrator takes a photograph of you, records your signature and takes your fingerprints.
  • You can request the electronic signature and time stamping service (optional).
    For more information, see the Electronic signature page.
  • You can enter two emergency telephone numbers (optional).

During the application, you can declare how you intend to receive your document:

  • personally at the indicated government office,
  • personally at the foreign representation of Hungary,
  • by post.

Once you have received your new document, you can use it to prove your identity. You need to activate functionalities and related PIN codes for the use of electronic services.

The eID card allows you to access a wide range of electronic functions and related services. To use some services, it is necessary to activate the specific electronic function as well as the associated PIN codes.

Learn more about activation on the Codes and Passwords page.

Activation can be done on the spot of the application or even at home using a card reader.

If you do not wish to use eID card’s electronic functions and services, they do not need to be activated. 

For more information about eID card’s electronic functions and related services, please visit the Services page.

SUMMARY

WHO CAN APPLY FOR AN eID CARD?

  • Any Hungarian citizen living in Hungary or abroad and any foreign citizen with settled, immigrated, protected or refugee status who is subject to the Personal Data and Address Register may apply for an eID card.

Everyone is obliged to apply for an eID card who

  • is a Hungarian citizen and does not have a valid passport, driving licence or identity card
  • furthermore, a citizen who has immigrant, settled, refugee or protected status.

WHERE AND HOW TO APPLY FOR AN eID CARD?

You can obtain a new eID card in two ways: either by applying in person or by applying ex officio, i.e. automatically.

You can apply for an eID card in person

  • at a government office or document office
  • at the diplomatic mission or consular post of Hungary (abroad, only for applicants with Hungarian citizenship),
  • other cases and exceptions to the application procedure are specified in the legislation

The eID card is issued ex officio, i.e. automatically

  • For a newborn child born in an institution (e.g. hospital) to a Hungarian citizen living in Hungary
  • In case of a change of name following the marriage of a Hungarian citizen married in Hungary
  • Other – as defined by law

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO APPLY FOR AN eID CARD?

It is duty-free for applying for an eID card.

When applying, Hungarian citizens can prove their identity in the following ways:

  • with a valid identity card or an identity card that was still valid in the previous year;
  • official document suitable for identification purposes (passport, driver’s licence card);

Other documents may also be required in certain cases, so detailed rules and further information are provided in the legislation.

WHEN AND WHERE CAN YOU COLLECT YOUR NEW eID CARD?

Deadline for processing and administration of the application:

  • 8 days – if the facts are clear on the basis of the information available to the authority;
  • 20 days – in other case.

The completed document can be picked up in person at the designated government office or document office, or at the diplomatic missions of Hungary (if the application is submitted there), or by post.

CODES AND PASSWORDS

The eID card chip enables eIdentification and, on request, eSignature: these functions require codes and passwords.

By default, you will receive one envelope when requesting the document, and two envelopes when requesting the eSignature function:

  • envelope with green border – Identity card code card
  • envelope with blue border – Electronic signature code card

These contain the codes needed to activate and use the functions. Activation can be done in person when you collect your eID card at government offices/document offices, or subsequently at another location – even at home – using a card reader: you will then need to enter the unique PIN codes at the time of activation.

Envelope with green border – Identity card code card

Envelope with green border; its main purpose is to activate the eIdentification PIN. Content:

  • Identity card code card and description;
  • Activation PIN code (on the code card): only required for activation, to be replaced by a unique one;
  • PUK code (on the code card): security code in case of three unsuccessful PIN entry;
  • Registration code (on the code card): identification code for Client Gate registration.

The activation PIN must be entered once, when activating the document. It must then be replaced by a unique 6-digit PIN of your own. Later, you can use the unique PIN to identify yourself for eIdentification services.

Envelope with blue border – Electronic signature code card

Envelope with blue border, mainly used to activate the eSignature function. Citizens will receive it only if they request this function. Content:

  • Electronic signature code card and associated description;
  • Activation PIN code (on the code card): only required for activation, to be replaced by a unique one;
  • Revocation password (on the code card): password required to revoke the certificate, for example in case of misuse.

To activate the eSignature function, the CAN number and the activation PIN on the eID card must be entered. The activation PIN must then be replaced by the unique 7-digit PIN. Then, with the unique PIN and the CAN number on the eID card, you can use the eSignature function, i.e. eSignature, time stamp on documents.

VALIDITY OF THE eID CARD

For Hungarian citizens:

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.

If you have a Client Gate and have not opted out of the ‘Advance notice of expiry of my documents’ service, you will receive an email alert two months before the expiry date of your ID card, then one month and finally on the expiry date.

THE DOCUMENT HAS DISAPPEARED

If your ID card is lost, stolen or destroyed, you must report it within 3 working days. (In the case of theft, a police report is already considered a notification.) You can then apply for a new document in person or replace your old document electronically together with the electronic notification.

Notification and application for a new document in person:

You can make your application in person at the place where you apply for a new document, or you can do it electronically online. You can then apply for a new ID card as described in the document application process.

Notification and replacement of previous document electronically:

In this case, the notification and replacement can be initiated electronically within the validity period of the document. This means that the application can be done from home, from abroad, essentially from anywhere with internet access.

Since you apply online for a replacement of your previous ID and do not apply for a new ID in person with a clerk, only certain details of the document will change. (The validity of the replaced document will be the same as the old document).

TEMPORARY IDENTITY CARD

If you cannot prove your identity by any other document (driving licence, passport) and you have applied for an eID card, you will be issued with a temporary ID card until your eID card is issued.

Before the first eID card is issued, a temporary document will only be issued if the holder or their legal representative requests it.

The temporary ID card is valid for 30 days and can be reissued until the permanent document is issued.

On receipt of the permanent document, the temporary document may be surrendered to the competent authority.

The temporary identity card can also be used for travel abroad by Hungarian citizens.