In Hungary, private healthcare is gaining ground: more and more people are turning to medical services outside the state insurance system. A recent study by GKI examined how private healthcare spending has evolved in recent years.
In 2022, Hungary’s per capita health spending, measured at purchasing-power parity, was the fourth-lowest in the European Union; ahead only of Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia. In 2023, based on data so far from 18 member states, Hungary ranked at the bottom of the EU table. Once the remaining figures are in, it is likely to outspend only Romania, making it the Union’s second-lowest spender on healthcare that year.
In 2024, Hungarians paid 27% of all healthcare costs out of pocket, placing the country seventh or eighth highest in the EU. In addition, voluntary health funds and private insurance contributed a further 3%, meaning that households shouldered a full 30% of total health expenditure.
Households’ Direct Contribution to Healthcare Spending, 2012–2024 (%)
Source: Eurostat (2024 data available for Hungary only)
Measured as a share of disposable gross income, out-of-pocket healthcare spending places Hungary somewhat lower in the EU rankings, at 12th. This is comparatively better: Hungarians devote a smaller share of their income to health than many other member states. Yet among the Visegrád Four, Hungary still tops the list. In 2023, households spent 2.3% of their gross income on healthcare, equivalent to around 2.8% of net income, according to our calculations.
Although the share may seem high, Hungarians used to spend even more: in 2013, out-of-pocket healthcare accounted for 3% of disposable income. The decline reflects rising disposable incomes, since private healthcare spending fell only slightly—by 5%—between 2021 and 2023.
Healthcare Spending as a Share of Annual Disposable Gross Income, 2013–2023 (%)
Source: Eurostat
Why Is Private Financing So High in Hungary?
In 2022, public spending accounted for 73% of total healthcare expenditure in Hungary, placing the country in the lower third of EU states and giving it the lowest share among the Visegrád Four. On a per capita, purchasing-power-parity basis, Hungary’s public health spending ranked among the five lowest in the EU, and the lowest within the V4. As a share of GDP, the figure stands at 6.5% in 2024, down from 7.5% in 2010.
In summary, Hungarians contribute a larger-than-average share of total healthcare spending, while public expenditure remains low by EU standards. Households therefore play a central role in financing care: costs beyond the state system are covered mainly out of pocket, with a smaller share met through health funds and insurance. Regionally, the burden relative to income is also significant, though it eased between 2020 and 2023 as rising incomes reduced the share of spending. Looking ahead, the balance between public and private funding will be key in determining the sector’s sustainability and prospects for growth.
