X-Ray Cost in Hungary
What you actually pay under TAJ / NEAK public insurance, at local private imaging clinics and at international private hospitals in Budapest. Last reviewed October 2026.
Short answer: how much does an X-ray cost in Hungary?
If you are insured by NEAK (you have an active TAJ number) and a doctor gives you a referral (beutaló), an X-ray at a public hospital or outpatient clinic is free, with no co-payment. Paying privately, a plain X-ray of one body region costs roughly HUF 13,500–20,000 (about €37–55 or $41–61) at local imaging clinics such as Újbuda Medical Center or Doktor24. International private hospitals that price in euros charge much more — Dr. Rose Private Hospital lists €180–250 for one or two views. A dental panoramic X-ray costs about HUF 8,000–9,000.
Quick Overview
Hungary's compulsory public health insurance is run by NEAK (Nemzeti Egészségbiztosítási Alapkezelő), and state hospitals are managed by the National Hospital Directorate-General (OKFŐ). Everyone insured receives a TAJ number; diagnostic imaging ordered by a GP or specialist is free at NEAK-contracted facilities. Plain X-rays are usually quick to get, but non-urgent CT and MRI waiting lists can stretch for months, which is why a large self-pay imaging market exists — prices for X-ray, ultrasound, CT and MRI at private centres in Budapest are published in clinic price lists (árlista). Employees fund the system through an 18.5% social-security contribution (TB-járulék), and employers pay a 13% social contribution tax (szocho).
🏥 TAJ / NEAK (public)
- Active TAJ number + beutaló from GP or specialist
- Public hospitals and outpatient clinics (szakrendelő)
- No co-payment for X-ray, ultrasound, CT or MRI
- Emergency X-rays without a referral
🏥 Local private clinics
- Per region, 1–2 views (about €37–55)
- Appointments often same or next day
- Medical request usually required (radiation rules)
- CT from HUF 32,000, MRI from HUF 49,500
🏥 International private hospitals
- Dr. Rose: €180 one view, €250 two views
- Priced in euros, aimed at expats and visitors
- English-speaking staff throughout
- Often billed directly to international insurers
X-Ray Prices in Hungary by Exam: Public vs Private
Most Hungarian private clinics price plain X-rays per body region (régiónként) rather than per view, usually covering one or two projections. The private ranges below run from imaging-focused Budapest clinics (Újbuda Medical Center, Doktor24) to the upper prices reported by Pénzcentrum. Premium euro-priced hospitals are shown separately below the table.
| Exam | Public (NEAK, TAJ + beutaló) | Private self-pay (HUF) | USD (≈) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chest X-ray (2 views) | Free | 16,000–20,000 (up to ~30,000 at some clinics) | $49–61 |
| Hand / wrist X-ray | Free | 13,500–17,800 | $41–55 |
| Ankle / foot X-ray | Free | 13,500–17,800 | $41–55 |
| Knee X-ray | Free | 13,500–17,800 | $41–55 |
| Knee arthrosis (standing) series | Free | 34,900–36,900 | $107–113 |
| Cervical spine X-ray | Free | 13,500–17,800 | $41–55 |
| Lumbar spine X-ray | Free | 13,500–17,800 | $41–55 |
| Two spine regions (e.g. cervical + lumbar) | Free | approx. 27,000–36,000 | $83–110 |
| Pelvis / hip X-ray | Free | 13,500–17,800 | $41–55 |
| Abdomen X-ray | Free | 13,500–17,800 | $41–55 |
| Dental panoramic (OPG) | Dental X-ray units with dentist's referral | 8,000–9,000 | $25–28 |
| Dental CBCT (3D) | Limited | 21,000–23,000 | $64–71 |
| Ultrasound (per area) | Free with referral | 27,000–38,000 | $83–117 |
| CT scan (per region) | Free with referral (waiting list) | 32,000–35,000 native; 61,000–85,000 with contrast | $98–261 |
| MRI 1.5T (per region) | Free with referral (waiting list) | 49,500–55,000 native; 88,000–96,000 with contrast | $152–294 |
Private ranges compiled from published self-pay prices: Újbuda Medical Center (X-ray HUF 16,000 per region 1–2 views, HUF 13,500 on promotion; CT native HUF 35,000 / promo 32,000, with contrast HUF 61,000–85,000; MRI 1.5T HUF 55,000 / promo 49,500 native, HUF 88,000–96,000 with contrast; ultrasound HUF 30,500 / promo 27,000), Doktor24 (X-ray HUF 15,800 one view / 17,800 two views per region, chest two views HUF 17,000, knee arthrosis series HUF 34,900–36,900, ultrasound HUF 20,000–38,000) and Medicare Dental (OPG HUF 8,000–9,000, CBCT HUF 21,000–23,000). Upper chest X-ray figure as reported by Pénzcentrum. Conversions at ECB rates of 9 October 2026 (€1 ≈ HUF 365 ≈ $1.12); exchange rates move.
Premium Private Hospitals in Budapest (Priced in Euros)
Expat-oriented hospitals price in euros and charge several times more than local imaging clinics. They suit visitors who want one English-speaking provider handling consultation, imaging and insurer billing.
| Dr. Rose Private Hospital | Price (EUR) | USD (≈) |
|---|---|---|
| X-ray, one view | €180 | $200 |
| X-ray, two views (incl. chest PA + lateral) | €250 | $280 |
| X-ray, three / four views | €320 / €380 | $360 / $425 |
| Ultrasound (most areas) | €250 | $280 |
| CT, native / with contrast (most regions) | €400 / €600 | $450 / $670 |
| MRI, native / with contrast (most regions) | €600 / €900 | $670 / $1,010 |
From Dr. Rose Private Hospital's published English price list. Doctor consultations are charged separately.
How TAJ / NEAK Coverage Works
Who is covered
- Employees, self-employed and other contributors
- Children, students, pensioners and other state-insured groups
- Residents without another basis can pay a fixed monthly health service contribution (egészségügyi szolgáltatási járulék) — reported at about HUF 12,300 for 2026; check NAV
- EU/EEA/Swiss visitors with EHIC (UK: GHIC)
Referral rules
- GP (háziorvos) or specialist issues a beutaló, usually electronically via EESZT
- Images and reports are also stored in EESZT
- Emergencies: X-ray done in the ED or trauma clinic without a referral
- Private clinics usually still need a medical request — radiation rules require justification
How to get an X-ray
- Check your TAJ is active (zöld jogviszony)
- Get a beutaló from your GP or specialist
- Book with the radiology department of your local szakrendelő or hospital
- Bring TAJ card and photo ID
- In a hurry? Private clinics: HUF 13,500–20,000 per region
Lung Screening, Waiting Lists and Regional Prices
🫁 Tüdőszűrés (lung screening)
- State lung-screening stations (e.g. Uzsoki Utcai Kórház) screen over-40s free once a year, no referral
- Ages 18–40: referral needed and a small fee (HUF 1,700 as reported in 2024)
- A screening film is not a full diagnostic chest X-ray
⏳ Public waiting lists
- Plain X-rays: usually days
- CT and MRI: NEAK publishes waiting lists per institution
- Waits can be extreme — Pénzcentrum (July 2026) reported a spinal MRI slot offered for January 2028 in Veszprém
- Urgent cases are prioritised by the referring doctor
📍 Budapest vs regions
- Budapest has the most private imaging centres and lowest waits
- A 2025 VG survey found some private exams 15–20% cheaper outside the capital
- Private X-ray, ultrasound and lab prices rose about 5–10% in a year (VG, 2025)
- University clinical centres: Debrecen, Pécs, Szeged
Where to Get an X-Ray in Hungary
🏥 Public / university hospitals
- Semmelweis University Clinical Centre — Budapest
- Dél-pesti Centrumkórház (Jahn Ferenc and Szent István sites) — Budapest
- Szent János Centrumkórház — Budapest
- Uzsoki Utcai Kórház — Budapest
- University of Debrecen Clinical Centre
- University of Pécs Clinical Centre
- University of Szeged Albert Szent-Györgyi Clinical Centre
🏥 Private clinics & hospitals
- Medicare (formerly Medicover) — Budapest Váci út diagnostic centre plus regional clinics
- Affidea — imaging centres; sold to Medicare in April 2026, rebranding within 12 months
- Újbuda Medical Center — Budapest XI (X-ray HUF 16,000 per region)
- Doktor24 — Budapest (X-ray HUF 15,800–17,800)
- Dr. Rose Private Hospital — Budapest V (euro pricing)
- Help-MR Diagnosztika — Székesfehérvár
💡 Practical tips
- Search clinic árlista pages — prices vary widely
- Imaging-only centres are often cheaper than full-service clinics
- Look for akciós ár (promotional prices) on CT and MRI
- Ask for images on CD/USB or via EESZT for your own doctor
Guide by Patient Type
🇭🇺 Hungarian residents
- Start with your háziorvos — the X-ray is then free
- Pay privately (HUF 13,500–20,000) only to skip queues
- For MRI/CT, compare the NEAK waiting list with private prices
- Health funds (egészségpénztár) can reimburse private imaging from your account
🇪🇺 EU / EEA / Swiss / UK visitors
- EHIC (UK: GHIC) gives state care on the same terms as locals
- Medically necessary X-rays at NEAK facilities are free
- Show the card and passport at the hospital
- Private clinics and planned treatment are not covered
✈️ Non-EU visitors & expats
- Emergency care is always provided; uninsured patients are billed
- Local private clinics are good value for a simple X-ray
- Long-term residents should obtain TAJ cover through work or the monthly contribution
- Keep invoices and reports for travel-insurance claims
Practical Details
📋 What to bring
- TAJ card (or EHIC/GHIC) and photo ID
- Beutaló, or the EESZT referral reference
- Previous images on CD/USB
- Cash or card for private clinics
⏰ Typical wait times
- Emergency: immediate
- Public plain X-ray: days to a few weeks
- Public CT/MRI: months in some hospitals
- Private: same day to a few days
- Report: often same day; written report 1–2 days
💡 How to save money
- Use TAJ + beutaló for routine X-rays — they are free
- Over 40? Annual lung screening is free
- Use promotional (akciós) prices for CT/MRI
- Dental X-rays are often cheapest bundled at the dentist
FAQ
How much does an X-ray cost in Hungary?
With an active TAJ card and a doctor's referral (beutaló), an X-ray at a NEAK-contracted public facility is free. Paying privately, a plain X-ray of one body region costs roughly HUF 13,500–20,000 (about €37–55 or $41–61): Újbuda Medical Center lists HUF 16,000 per region (1–2 views, HUF 13,500 on promotion) and Doktor24 lists HUF 15,800–17,800 per region and HUF 17,000 for a two-view chest X-ray. Premium international hospitals charge far more, e.g. Dr. Rose Private Hospital lists €180–250.
Mennyibe kerül egy röntgen? Is an X-ray free with a TAJ card?
Yes. For people insured by NEAK (the National Health Insurance Fund), diagnostic X-rays ordered by a GP (háziorvos) or specialist are free at contracted public hospitals and outpatient clinics (szakrendelő), with no co-payment. You need a valid TAJ number and the referral, which is now usually issued electronically through the EESZT system. Without valid insurance you pay the facility's self-pay fee.
Can I get an X-ray without a referral in Hungary (röntgen beutaló nélkül)?
In the public system you generally need a beutaló from a GP or specialist, except in emergencies. Hungarian radiation-protection rules require every X-ray to be medically justified, so most private clinics also ask for a written medical request; Medicare (formerly Medicover), for example, states that a written referral is required for every X-ray. Many private clinics solve this by booking a short consultation with their own doctor, who then orders the X-ray. Free lung screening (tüdőszűrés) for over-40s is the main exception that needs no referral.
How much is a chest X-ray or lung screening (tüdőszűrés) in Hungary?
A private two-view chest X-ray (mellkasröntgen) costs roughly HUF 16,000–20,000 at imaging-focused clinics (Doktor24 lists HUF 17,000), and Pénzcentrum reported prices up to about HUF 30,000 at some clinics. State lung-screening stations (tüdőszűrő állomás) such as the one at Uzsoki Utcai Kórház offer a free screening once a year to people over 40 without a referral; Pénzcentrum reported in 2024 that 18–40-year-olds need a referral and pay HUF 1,700.
How much does a private MRI or CT scan cost in Hungary (MR ár, CT ár)?
Approximate self-pay prices at Budapest imaging centres: CT without contrast HUF 32,000–35,000 per region and HUF 61,000–85,000 with contrast; 1.5 Tesla MRI HUF 49,500–55,000 per region without contrast and HUF 88,000–96,000 with contrast (Újbuda Medical Center price list). Open MRI starts around HUF 39,500–43,500. International private hospitals price in euros: Dr. Rose lists CT from €400 and MRI from €600.
How long is the wait for a public MRI or CT in Hungary?
Plain X-rays with a referral are usually done within days, and emergencies immediately. Non-urgent CT and MRI can involve long waiting lists, which NEAK publishes by institution. In July 2026 Pénzcentrum reported a patient at a Veszprém hospital being given a spinal MRI appointment for January 2028. Many patients therefore pay privately for MRI or CT, where appointments are often available within days.
How much is a dental panoramic X-ray (panoráma röntgen) in Hungary?
A panoramic dental X-ray (OPG) typically costs about HUF 8,000–9,000 at private dental clinics; Medicare Dental lists HUF 8,000–9,000 and a dental CBCT (3D) scan at HUF 21,000–23,000. Dental X-rays are often included in the price of a dental-tourism treatment plan, so ask before paying separately.
Can I use my EHIC for an X-ray in Hungary?
Yes. EU/EEA and Swiss visitors with a valid European Health Insurance Card (UK visitors with a GHIC) receive medically necessary state care on the same terms as Hungarian insured patients, so an X-ray at a NEAK-contracted facility is free. Present the card and your passport. The EHIC does not cover private clinics or treatment you travel to Hungary specifically to receive.
What does an X-ray cost at an English-speaking private hospital in Budapest?
International-style private hospitals that price in euros are much dearer than local imaging clinics. Dr. Rose Private Hospital lists X-ray at €180 for one view, €250 for two views (including chest PA and lateral) and up to €380 for four views, plus CT from €400 and MRI from €600. Local clinics such as Újbuda Medical Center or Doktor24 charge about HUF 13,500–18,000 (€37–49) per region; ask in advance whether English is spoken.
What happened to Medicover and Affidea in Hungary?
Medicover's Hungarian network now operates as Medicare (medicare-group.hu), with clinics in Budapest and regional cities and its own insurer, Medicare Biztosító. In April 2026 Affidea sold its Hungarian subsidiary, Affidea Magyarország, to Medicare Egészségközpont Zrt.; services continue under the Affidea name during a transition of up to 12 months before moving to a new brand.
Compare X-Ray Costs Across Countries
Sources
- NEAK (Nemzeti Egészségbiztosítási Alapkezelő) — insurance eligibility, referral rules and CT/MRI waiting-list data
- Újbuda Medical Center — published price list (X-ray, CT, MRI, open MRI, ultrasound)
- Doktor24 — published price list (X-ray, ultrasound)
- Medicare (formerly Medicover Hungary) — digital X-ray service page and referral requirement; Medicare Dental price list (OPG, CBCT)
- Dr. Rose Private Hospital — English price list (X-ray, ultrasound, CT, MRI)
- Economx (May 2026) — sale of Affidea Magyarország to Medicare Egészségközpont Zrt.
- Pénzcentrum — private screening price guide (2024) and MRI waiting-time report (July 2026)
- Világgazdaság (March 2025) — private healthcare price increases and Budapest vs regional differences
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries — Hungary social security contribution rates
- European Central Bank — euro foreign exchange reference rates (9 October 2026)
Last reviewed: October 2026. Private prices change and promotional prices may end — confirm with the provider before booking.