Hungarian social security card gets chipped

Hungarian social security system still uses a paper card format which has the member name, birth day, member id and issued on date printed on the first side, while optionally the selected doctor can be written on the back side. This format is in use at least since 1995, even the format is bigger then usual cards.

Ten years have passed, and the system needs to be renewed, also an European Union directive says that starting 2008, only electric social security cards can be issued.

In Hungary a trial test including six to eight thousand members will be held for a two months period starting this March. Hopefully the system will pass all the test and get into production soon.

As an additional benefit, on the governmental internet portal (magyarorszag.hu), members could check - upon entering their account number - the validity of their social security contract. This has been a big issue lately as some employers are not announcing their employees, thus not even paying the fees for them.

Original story from: http://www.magyarhirlap.hu/cikk.php?cikk=100769