New Rules for Student Passes in Budapest: What Visitors and Students Should Know
Budapest’s public transport system is one of Europe’s most efficient and affordable, especially for students who benefit from discounted travel passes. However, from the 2026/2027 academic year, an important change will take effect regarding how student passes are issued and validated. If you’re a foreign student studying in the Hungarian capital, or a parent visiting your child here, it’s worth getting familiar with these new regulations to avoid any confusion or fines when using Budapest’s buses, trams, and metro lines.
What’s Changing and Why It Matters
Until now, many student passes in Hungary included the educational identification number, a personal code that remains the same regardless of school or university changes. This proved practical for institutions and travelers alike. However, a new legal interpretation by Hungary’s Ministry of Construction and Transport clarified that this identifier counts as personal data, and therefore cannot be displayed on travel passes.
As the Budapesti Közlekedési Központ (BKK) confirmed in its statement to Telex, transport companies will no longer be allowed to request or print this number on monthly or semester student passes. Instead, only a student ID number or a personal identification document number — such as a passport, ID card, or driver’s license — may appear on the pass.
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Transition Period and Enforcement
The change officially comes into force in September 2026, marking the start of the next school year. Until then, BKK will not issue fines to students who still have their educational ID number on their pass. Instead, the company will only issue warnings and provide information about the upcoming rules. Should anyone receive a penalty by mistake during this interim period, it can be disputed and clarified directly with the transport provider.
For Foreign Students and Tourists Using Student Discounts
If you are an international student enrolled at a Hungarian university, you can continue enjoying Budapest’s generous student discounts — as long as you have a valid student ID card or an official temporary student certificate. When purchasing your discounted pass, you’ll need to provide your student ID number or, if you don’t have one yet, the number from your passport or other personal identification document. During inspections, always carry both your student ID (or temporary certificate) and your personal ID to verify your eligibility.
For visiting tourists who are not students, this change won’t affect you directly. However, it reflects Hungary’s continuing effort to modernize its data protection policies while keeping public transport accessible and transparent.
Budapest Travel Made Easy
For newcomers, BKK’s ticket and pass system remains simple to use. Passes can be purchased at metro stations, ticket machines, or through the BudapestGO app, which provides up-to-date travel information in English. Whether you’re exploring the city’s architectural wonders, commuting to classes, or traveling across Hungary on one of the new nationwide or county passes, these updates ensure both smoother travel and better data security for everyone on board.
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