Attention: Important document to become online-only in Hungary, hundreds of thousands of employees affected

From 1 January 2026, Hungary will officially discontinue the long-standing paper-based social security booklet, known as the TB kiskönyv or TB Booklet in English, replacing it with a fully digital system called the e-TB booklet. The change will affect hundreds of thousands of employees and employers alike, significantly reshaping how social insurance data is recorded and accessed.

According to information published by the Hungarian State Treasury, the move is part of a broader effort to reduce administrative burdens and modernise public administration. From the start of 2026, employers will no longer be required to maintain the paper document formally titled Certificate of Insurance Status and Health Insurance Benefits. Instead, all relevant data will be available through a central electronic platform operated by Hungary’s National Health Insurance Fund (NEAK).

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What happens to the old TB booklet? Illustration. Featured image: depositphotos.com

According to Pénzcentrum, as part of the transition, employers must return the paper TB booklet to insured employees. This must be done no later than the end of the employment relationship and in a verifiable manner. If sent by post, it must be delivered by registered mail; if handed over in person, the employee’s signature is required as proof of receipt.

If, for any reason, the booklet cannot be handed over, employers are obliged to retain it until five years after the employee reaches the statutory retirement age. Once the document has been returned, employees themselves must also keep the paper booklet for five years following their retirement age, even though it will no longer be actively used.

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How employees can access their data

Employees can already review their insurance history via NEAK’s insurance status enquiry system. From 1 January 2026, the so-called “Patient Care Path” service will also allow insured individuals to access information on cash health insurance benefits paid after 31 December 2023. This includes sick pay, maternity benefits, childcare allowance, adoption benefits and accident-related sick pay, all available through official government portals.

If an employee discovers insurance periods in the paper booklet that do not appear in the electronic records, they may initiate an official documentary verification procedure at their local government office’s health insurance department.

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Fewer tasks for employers and pay offices

For employers that do not operate a social insurance pay office, the handover of the paper booklet marks the end of their responsibilities in this area. Employers that do run pay offices will also see their workload reduced. From 2026, they may only access e-TB data for employees who are currently insured with them, and only with proper authorisation recorded in the national registry.

Importantly, pay offices will no longer be allowed to assess or pay so-called “passive benefits” — benefits claimed after employment has ended — for periods after 31 December 2025. These cases will fall exclusively under the authority of county and capital government offices.

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What information will the e-TB booklet contain?

The new digital system will store comprehensive data, including personal identification details and social security numbers, employment relationships, employer details, job titles, working hours, and periods of suspension. It will also include detailed records of health insurance benefits, payment periods, daily benefit amounts and, where relevant, information about children linked to parental benefits.