Looking to Buy Hungarian ID Card? Check This Out First!

Alright, let’s talk about this Hungarian ID card thing, you know, the kind of card they got over there in Hungary. Now, I ain’t no fancy lawyer or government person, just a plain old woman who’s heard a thing or two, and I’m gonna tell it to you straight, just like it is.

What’s this Hungarian ID card all about?

Well, from what I gather, it’s like a little card they carry around, kinda like a driver’s license here, but it’s for everyone, not just the folks driving cars. Seems like if you’re a Hungarian fella, or a gal, and you’re all official-like in their system, you can get one of these. They call it being in “active status” or some such nonsense. Sounds complicated, but it just means you’re on the books, you know?

• It’s like your proof that you’re, well, you.
• They use it for all sorts of things, like gettin’ on the bus or train. Heard they can even use it like a ticket. Fancy, huh?
• And it ain’t just for folks livin’ in Hungary neither. If you’re a Hungarian livin’ somewhere else, or even if you’re a foreigner who’s settled down there, you can get one too. Course, there’s rules and such, but that’s the gist of it.

Who can get one of these cards?

Now, this is where it gets a bit tricky. Seems like mostly it’s for the Hungarian folks themselves. If you’re a born-and-bred Hungarian, living there or even living abroad, you can go and get yourself one of these ID cards. But you gotta be a real Hungarian, not just someone who visited once or twice. They say you apply at somethin’ called a Consulate General if you’re not in Hungary. Sounds fancy, but it’s probably just some office.

And they only give you the permanent kind, none of that temporary stuff. Makes sense, I guess. Why would you want a temporary ID? You’re either somebody or you ain’t, right?

What about foreigners?

Now, for the foreigners, it’s a bit different. You can’t just waltz in and get a card. You gotta be settled down, immigrated, and all that official business. They gotta know you’re there to stay, not just passin’ through. It’s like joinin’ a club, you gotta meet the requirements first.

How long is this card good for?

Well, it ain’t forever, that’s for sure. If you’re a grown-up, over 18, it’s good for six years. They make it expire on your birthday, so you don’t forget. Smart, those Hungarians. If you’re a youngster, between 12 and 18, it’s only good for three years. Guess they figure you’ll change a lot durin’ those years, so they need a new picture of you.

How do you get one?

Sounds like you gotta go to a place called “Kormanyablak”. Don’t ask me how to say that, it’s got too many letters. And you might need to make an appointment, can’t just show up whenever you feel like it. It’s for your first ID card, they say. Maybe after that it’s easier.

And if you’re a student, there’s somethin’ about a “NEK” ID you gotta get first. Sounds like a whole other process. They even got a video, but it’s in Hungarian, so good luck with that if you don’t speak the language. Maybe find a young’un to help you watch it.

What about this personal number thing?

Heard they used to have some kind of number, like a Social Security number here, but they don’t use it anymore. Now it’s just for statistics or something. They got passports too, blue or red ones, but that’s a whole ‘nother story.

So, what’s the bottom line?

Well, the Hungarian ID card is important if you’re Hungarian or if you’ve settled down there. It’s how they know who you are and let you do things like ride the bus or get official services. It ain’t somethin’ you can just buy off the street, you gotta go through the proper channels. And remember, it’s for the real deal Hungarians and those that have jumped through the hoops to become one of them, officially. It ain’t like buyin’ a loaf of bread at the store, that’s for sure.

Now, I ain’t no expert, but that’s the way I understand it. If you need more details, you best go talk to someone who knows what they’re talkin’ about, not just an old woman like me. But at least now you got a general idea, right? You know, enough to hold your own in a conversation, or at least not look like a complete fool.