How to use your photo ID in Hungary

Photo IDs in Hungary

In Hungary, you are supposed to always carry a photo ID on you. Whenever you are asked for a photo ID (“fényképes igazolvány” or “arcképes igazolvány”), one of the following things are meant:

ID card (issued in Hungary, the EEA, or Switzerland)
Passport (issued anywhere in the world)
Driver’s license (issued in Hungary)

Since Hungary is an EU member state, ID cards issued in any other EEA member state are generally accepted for every purpose. Passports issued worldwide are similarly acceptable. The use of driver’s licenses issued outside of Hungary is limited: they may be accepted for driving or renting a car, but not for identification.

If you are a Hungarian resident, your residence permit might also be acceptable for identification, although that is only valid together with your passport, which you are supposed to carry around anyway. Students also regularly have a student ID that has their photo printed on it, but that is usually requested and accepted only in situations where their student status is relevant.

Please note: People living in Hungary must also carry verification of their Hungarian address (an accommodation slip or an address card). However, that document doesn’t usually have a photo of the owner.

Additional documents

Of course, you might have additional documents that have a likeness of your face. Whether they are accepted for age and identity verification, however, will be at the discretion of each organization. Such documents might include:

Photo ID for a business registration (e.g. a taxi driver license)
Travel pass ID (e.g. until a few years back, you needed such an ID issued by the Budapest Public Transport company if you wanted a monthly pass)
Photo ID from your workplace
ID created for any other non-governmental organization

Nowadays the DÁP app also offers digital ID and address card among its functions, available to those eligible for a Hungarian ID card. However, DÁP is only accepted by the police. If you want to verify your data in front of any other party, you will need to present your physical documents. Regarding the upcoming general elections, the voter registration notices specifically state that the DÁP app is NOT SUFFICIENT for voter identification at the polling stations.

Situations where identity or age verification with a photo ID might be required:

If you are buying liquor or tobacco products, your passport can verify your age (above 18).
If you are buying a monthly pass for public transport in Budapest, the pass is not transferable, and as such, it requires some kind of ID number. This can be either your passport or your residence permit if you don’t have a European ID card or driver’s license card.
If you are a student and want to take advantage of a student discount, you will need to present a student ID. Please note: many sellers accept only Hungarian student IDs. An international student ID may be accepted at the discretion of the seller.
If there is a discount for local residents at a gym in your neighborhood, you might be asked to present both a photo ID and verification of your local address.

Photos used for a photo ID

Photos used on Hungarian ID cards, driver’s licenses, and passports are usually taken at the government office when you submit your application. If you are taking care of the application remotely in a video call, your photo can be taken by the administrator during the call, but only if you have appropriate lighting and background where you are making the call from.

Sometimes you might be asked to submit a photo with your application for a photo ID. In this case, you will need a passport photo (“igazolványkép”). You are normally required to submit a recent photo, which means no older than 3 months. The date of a photo is rarely checked, however; if you still look the same as on a slightly older photo, it will be acceptable.

When you have your passport photo taken, you should keep in mind the following:

Standard size: 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm
Portrait from the shoulders up
Color photo if possible
In front of homogenous, light background (preferably white)
Face the camera directly (no half profile)
Wear a neutral facial expression (you are not expected to smile; on the contrary, a slight smile is allowed, but do not show teeth)
Do not wear black or white clothes (too dark or too bright clothing may interfere with how the black and white picture in your document turns out)
Do not wear heavy makeup (light makeup is allowed but only if it does not alter your features or hide your identifying features such as your moles or scars)
Your hair should not cover your eyebrows and preferably your ears
Do not wear any accessories that alter or hide your features, e.g. glasses, hat, mask, or big earrings

If you need a passport photo for a photo ID, you have various options:

Find a professional photography studio that also takes passport photos
There are automatic passport photo booths around town (usually around busy transport hubs)
You can take a photo at home and print it at a copy shop or a self-service station (sometimes available at drug stores)

Navigate Hungarian bureaucracy with Helpers

The mission of Helpers Hungary is to help international clients navigate Hungarian bureaucracy. Whether you need assistance with company setup or residency application, we are here to help. Contact us now, and take advantage of 20 years of experience and the support of a committed team.

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