Hungary

Research conducted in December 2025

It is estimated that between 150,000 and 300,000 people in Hungary live with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Hungary also boasts one of the oldest populations in Europe, meaning that its disease burden is likely to rise in the coming decades. While Hungary is well prepared to manage dementia in some regards—legally mandating a stipend for family caregivers and offering diagnosis, treatment, and care services at little cost—its public healthcare system is also characterised by long waiting lists and a rather low availability of diagnostic imaging services. Adopting a national dementia strategy—a process which has stalled since 2024—could be a first step towards instituting a robust dementia management system in Hungary.

Overall
AD Rating
Diagnostic Pathway
Hungary operates a standardised GP-to-specialist dementia diagnostic pathway with neuropsychological testing and imaging, but long wait times, limited biomarker access, and public–private disparities constrain timely and comprehensive diagnosis.
Specialized Care
Hungary provides reimbursed standard dementia treatments and specialist care in key centres, but access is limited by long waits, workforce shortages, and gaps in long-term and regional service availability.
Caregiver Support
Hungary offers limited indirect caregiver support through a modest, underutilised allowance, leaving families largely dependent on NGOs for training and psychosocial support.
National Policies
Hungary has no dedicated national dementia strategy, relying instead on broader mental health policies and stalled initiatives, resulting in a fragmented and uncoordinated policy approach.
Access to ATT-s
Multiple therapies approved; limited or no reimbursement.
Organizations are listed for informational purposes based on publicly available sources. Inclusion does not necessarily indicate affiliation with or endorsement by Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI).

Highlights

Health system
Universal, mixed funding (mixed provision)
ADI member association(s)
Feledhetetlen Alapítvány
National dementia plan
No national dementia strategy in place
Dementia plan funding
No plan
Dementia prevalence rate
1229.6
Dementia incidence rate
218.2
*per 100k Population
Prevalence Rate (per 100,000): 
This measures the total number of existing cases (both old and new) in a population at a specific point in time, divided by the total population and multiplied by 100,000. It tells you the overall "burden" or how widespread a condition is at that moment.
Incidence Rate (per 100,000): 
This measures the number of new cases that develop in a population over a specific period (usually one year), divided by the population at risk and multiplied by 100,000. This tells you the "speed" or risk of contracting the condition.

Population

9,632,287

Median age

43.9

Health expenditure (% of GDP)

6.4

Diagnosis

In Hungary, Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis usually begins with a GP consultation, reviewing cognitive complaints, family reports, and medical history. GPs may conduct preliminary cognitive tests such as MMSE or the Clock Drawing Test, but referrals to neurologists or psychiatrists are common, as ICD-10 guidelines assign them responsibility for formal diagnosis and anti-dementia prescriptions. Specialists perform comprehensive neuropsychological assessments and follow-ups. Diagnostic imaging (MRI, CT, PET) is optional, with public hospitals facing long waits and reimbursement limited to state-owned facilities since late 2024. Advanced biomarker testing, including cerebrospinal fluid analysis and APOE ε4 genotyping, is rare and mostly restricted to research or private centres. While the private sector provides faster access to specialists, imaging, and biomarkers, higher costs create disparities, and these structural constraints contribute to the underdiagnosis of dementia in Hungary.

Diagnosis pathway

Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis in Hungary generally starts with a GP consultation, where patients’ cognitive complaints, family reports, and medical history are reviewed. GPs may conduct preliminary cognitive screening using the MMSE or the Clock Drawing Test, but referrals to neurologists or psychiatrists are frequent, as ICD-10-based guidelines designate these specialists for formal diagnosis and prescription of anti-dementia treatments. Specialists undertake comprehensive neuropsychological assessments and monitor patients through regular follow-ups. Diagnostic imaging (MRI, CT, or PET) is commonly used but optional, with public hospitals facing long waits and financial limitations, and only state-owned facilities are eligible for reimbursement since late 2024. Advanced biomarker testing, including cerebrospinal fluid analysis and APOE genotyping, is rarely part of standard care and mainly offered in research or select private settings. The private healthcare sector provides faster access to specialists, imaging, and biomarkers, highlighting disparities with public services. These structural limitations, combined with underutilisation of imaging and biomarkers, contribute to widespread underdiagnosis of dementia in Hungary.

In Hungary, the standard diagnostic pathway for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias involves a consultation with a general practitioner (GP), usually followed by a specialist visit and diagnostic imaging. Advanced biomarker testing is rarely conducted in Hungarian clinical settings but is becoming available, especially in the private healthcare sector, which has experienced a rapid expansion over the past decade. Thus, there are some differences of note when it comes to diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease in the public and private healthcare sectors. The private healthcare sector offers facilitated access to specialist care, diagnostic imaging services, and advanced biomarker testing—waiting times for these services are longer in the public healthcare sector, while some are rarely available outside specialised hospitals in Budapest.

Like in most countries, the route towards diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias usually begins with visiting a GP. GPs in Hungary are greatly involved in the early stages of the dementia recognition process, as most patients visit them first to have their initial cognitive examination. Usually, dementia diagnosis pathways involve the patients’ subjective complaints and their family members’ reports on cognitive problems, GPs’ concerns about signs of dementia, targeted case finding, and population screening. GPs generally conduct a review of the patients’ medical history and a physical examination to rule out other conditions. If needed, GPs can decide to carry out basic neuropsychological tests such as the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Clock Drawing Test (CDT), which are financially reimbursed, or refer patients to secondary care for further investigation. In Hungary, referral to neurologists, psychiatrists, or other specialists for neuropsychological examinations tends to be common.

A reason GPs tend to delegate neuropsychological assessments to specialists is that Hungarian clinical practice guidelines are based on the 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), under which diagnosis establishment, etiology identification, and the prescription of necessary anti-dementia medications are tasks of psychiatrists and neurologists. While clinical guidelines on the matter are clear, dementia and mild cognitive impairments tend to be significantly underdiagnosed in Hungary. Specialists tend to conduct a neuropsychological assessment of a potential dementia patient and, if they successfully confirm a dementia diagnosis, they usually schedule patients for regular follow-up examinations.

To confirm a dementia diagnosis, patients can be referred to diagnostic imaging facilities for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), or positron emission tomography (PET) scan. While this is commonly part of the diagnostic pathway for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, it is not considered to be a mandatory step towards confirming a diagnosis. Hungary is known to underutilise its diagnostic imaging capacities due to financial limitations of hospitals. In addition, since November 2024, only state-owned diagnostic facilities are allowed to perform CT and MRI scans at the expense of the health insurance scheme, compounding issues with long waiting times for these procedures. Prior to the decision, patients were already known to wait for several months before being able to access diagnostic imaging services at public hospitals.

In Hungary, advanced biomarker use is an evolving field—it is primarily confined to research settings or is offered in public specialised facilities and some private laboratories. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, in the interest of measuring biomarkers such as amyloid-β42, phosphorylated tau, and total tau protein levels, and apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype investigation are not considered part of the standard diagnostic pathway for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. One study even hypothesises that the rather limited availability of biomarker testing is a contributor to underdiagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease in Hungary.

Wait times

Medium wait time (expected)

Accessing a GP in Hungary is generally quick, often on the same day or within a week. Neuropsychological assessments, however, are typically conducted by specialists, leading to longer waiting times in public healthcare. One study found that about one third of patients waited more than a month for neurologist or psychiatrist appointments, with longer delays for lower-income groups. Diagnostic imaging, including MRI and CT, can take several months, particularly since late 2024, when public insurance stopped covering scans in certain private facilities. Advanced biomarker testing remains uncommon, mostly limited to research or specialised private centres, and waiting times are largely undocumented.

Accessing a GP or family physician in Hungary is rarely a time-consuming process — there is a widely accepted standard practice of being received on the same day. One study concluded that 90% of the studied population were seen by a GP within a week, and 68% of those reported that they were received on the same day. However, as GPs generally do not conduct neuropsychological assessments — instead leaving that step to specialists — waiting times for accessing neurologists and psychiatrists can be significant, particularly within the public healthcare sector. While there are no accurate statistics on waiting times, one study from 2021 shows that around one third of patients needing specialist care waited more than a month for an appointment, with significant disparities among income groups — those who were more reliant on public healthcare were found to wait much longer. Even if able to access a neurologist or psychologist within the public healthcare sector, access to diagnostic imaging services can take months at a time. Since Hungarian social health insurance stopped covering MRI and CT scans offered by cooperative private healthcare facilities in late 2024, wait times for these services have exploded in the public sector. There are no publicly available statistics for waiting times when it comes to advanced biomarker testing, especially as these procedures are rare.

The private healthcare sector in Hungary is known for offering shorter waiting times, on average, for diagnostic procedures associated with the standard Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias pathway.

Diagnosis cost

In Hungary’s public healthcare system, most dementia diagnostic procedures are covered by the National Health Insurance Fund (NEAK). Private healthcare in Hungary offers faster access to dementia diagnostics, though costs are substantially higher. Neurologist consultations range from HUF 33,000–39,800, CT scans HUF 25,000–100,000, MRI HUF 45,000–150,000, and PET scans around HUF 300,000.

In the public healthcare system, most procedures associated with diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are covered by the National Health Insurance Fund (NEAK). This includes consultations with GPs (or family physicians), specialists, some neuropsychological tests, such as the MMSE and the CDT, and diagnostic imaging services in public healthcare facilities. APOE genotype testing for the ε4 allele is generally not offered within public healthcare facilities, nor is it covered by NEAK insurance.

In the private healthcare system, diagnosing dementia can be quite expensive, but waiting times are significantly lower — this is especially true for diagnostic imaging service waits. Consultations with neurologists cost around HUF 33,000–39,800, CT scan prices range between HUF 25,000 and HUF 100,000, MRI scans cost between HUF 45,000 and HUF 150,000, while PET scans are around HUF 300,000. APOE genotype testing for the ε4 allele costs around HUF 29,000 in private laboratories in Budapest and Debrecen.

Cognitive tests

In Hungary, cognitive screening tests used or validated for use in diagnosing dementia include:

Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
Clock Drawing Test (CDT)
Early Mental Test (EMT) — developed by the University of Szeged
Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale – Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog)
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
Hungarian version of Test Your Memory (TYM-HUN)
Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination (ACE-I)

Imaging tests

Diagnostic imaging facilities are available in both the public and private healthcare sectors of Hungary, with patients able to access magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and positron emission tomography (PET) units in either sector. Hungary has 11.15 CT units, 5.84 MRI units, and 1.04 PET units per capita (as of 2023). Though demand exceeds capacity, especially following the Hungarian government’s decision that public health insurance would only cover CT and MRI scans conducted in public healthcare institutions, waiting times for CT and MRI scans can extend to several months.

Genetic tests

Genetic testing for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias is not considered part of the standard diagnostic pathway for the disease and is generally not covered by health insurance policies. APOE genotype testing for the ε4 allele is confined to research settings; however, it is becoming increasingly available in the private healthcare sector, with a growing number of laboratories offering it.

Biomarker tests

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis—in the interest of measuring biomarkers such as amyloid-β42, phosphorylated tau, and total tau protein levels—is not considered part of the standard diagnostic pathway for dementia and is primarily used in research settings. A number of peer-reviewed studies note that the availability of biomarker testing in Hungarian clinical settings is rather limited.

Cognitive Tests

In Hungary, cognitive screening tests used or validated for use in diagnosing dementia include:

Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
Clock Drawing Test (CDT)
Early Mental Test (EMT) — developed by the University of Szeged
Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale – Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog)
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
Hungarian version of Test Your Memory (TYM-HUN)
Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination (ACE-I)

Imaging Tests

Diagnostic imaging facilities are available in both the public and private healthcare sectors of Hungary, with patients able to access magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and positron emission tomography (PET) units in either sector. Hungary has 11.15 CT units, 5.84 MRI units, and 1.04 PET units per capita (as of 2023). Though demand exceeds capacity, especially following the Hungarian government’s decision that public health insurance would only cover CT and MRI scans conducted in public healthcare institutions, waiting times for CT and MRI scans can extend to several months.

Genetic Tests

Genetic testing for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias is not considered part of the standard diagnostic pathway for the disease and is generally not covered by health insurance policies. APOE genotype testing for the ε4 allele is confined to research settings; however, it is becoming increasingly available in the private healthcare sector, with a growing number of laboratories offering it.

Biomarker Tests

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis—in the interest of measuring biomarkers such as amyloid-β42, phosphorylated tau, and total tau protein levels—is not considered part of the standard diagnostic pathway for dementia and is primarily used in research settings. A number of peer-reviewed studies note that the availability of biomarker testing in Hungarian clinical settings is rather limited.

Treatment & Care

Hungary’s healthcare system provides specialised dementia services through institutions such as Semmelweis University Neurology Clinic, Szent János Kórház, University of Debrecen, and Albert Szent Györgyi Health Center, with private clinics in Budapest supplementing care. Palliative care is reimbursed by NEAK, though inpatient units remain insufficient, and long-term or nursing care is limited. Dementia medications are generally covered, while nursing home, day-care, and private services often require co-payments. Family caregivers may receive the ápolási díj (around HUF 49,960/month, 2025), but coverage is limited and awareness is low. NGOs like Feledhetetlen Alapítvány and Modus Alapítvány provide training, support groups, and Alzheimer’s cafés to fill gaps in caregiver support.

Specialized facilities and services

Despite Hungary’s well-developed healthcare system, the sector faces ongoing challenges, including reduced funding, labour shortages, and lengthy waiting times for neurological services. Key public institutions for dementia care include Semmelweis University Neurology Clinic and Szent János Kórház in Budapest, as well as the University of Debrecen and Albert Szent Györgyi Health Center in Szeged. These hospitals provide specialised diagnosis, treatment, and research opportunities. Private clinics, mainly in Budapest, such as Liv Duna Medical Center, complement public services. Palliative care is supported by the Hungarian Hospice Palliative Association and reimbursed by the National Health Insurance Fund, but inpatient units remain insufficient. Long-term and nursing care is highly limited, with only a minority of adults over 65 accessing home-based or institutional services. The combination of workforce constraints, infrastructure gaps, and rising demand underscores the urgent need for expanded dementia and elderly care provision across the country.

Healthcare spending in Hungary has been decreasing or stagnant over the last 10 years. While the country boasts modern healthcare infrastructure, there are growing problems in the healthcare sector — exemplified by labour shortages, increasing waiting times, and a rising rate of hospital-acquired infections. Moreover, Hungary is known for particularly long waiting times for treatment of neurological problems, which can be attributed to referral pathways and the inability of the medical authorities to clear waiting lists. In addition, Hungary also closed its first memory clinic — the National Institute for Psychiatry and Neurology (OPNI) — in 2007, resulting in a 25% reduction of acute psychiatric beds in the country.

Some of the most prominent hospitals specialising in dementia treatment and care include:

Semmelweis University Neurology Clinic — located in Budapest, it is considered one of the best neurological clinics in Hungary. As a successor institution to OPNI, Semmelweis offers a wide array of specialised treatment and care services for dementia patients. It is also a research and teaching institution in neurology.
Szent János Kórház — a tertiary care hospital of historical importance. Located in Budapest, Szent János Kórház offers dementia treatment and care services via its Department of Neurology.
The Clinical Center at the University of Debrecen — a teaching hospital in Eastern Hungary. Its Department of Neurology is the referral institution for about 3 million patients in need of specialised neurological treatment and care.
Albert Szent Györgyi Health Center — the teaching hospital for the University of Szeged, serving patients from Southern Hungary. Its Department of Neurology is a neurological research institution in Hungary and offers a variety of specialised treatment and care services for dementia patients.

A number of private hospitals — primarily located in Budapest — also specialise in providing diagnostic, treatment, and care services to dementia patients. These include Liv Duna Medical Center, which operates a dedicated dementia clinic, and Dr. Rose Magánkórház.

Hungary boasts a developed network of palliative care providers — most of which participate in the Hungarian Hospice Palliative Association (HHPA) — and readily provide services for non-cancer patients. National guidelines on palliative care were developed in 2002 and have been updated regularly since. Home and inpatient hospice care are reimbursed by the National Health Insurance Fund (NEAK). Palliative care facilities across Hungary also offer hospice home care for patients and their families. Nevertheless, there are still not enough inpatient units to meet demand, and waiting lists tend to be long, as for most other healthcare services in Hungary.

Patients in Hungary face significant challenges in accessing affordable and timely long-term and nursing care. A study from 2019 showed that home-based long-term care is accessible to just 7% of patients above the age of 65, while only 3% of people in that age category are able to take advantage of specialist care in nursing homes. The study painted a bleak picture for the growing elderly population in Hungary.

Approved medication

Generic Name Trade Name Used for
Donepezil Aricept, Aricept ODT, Adlarity, Eranz, Memac, Alzepil, Davia, Donecept, Donep, Donepex, Donesyn, Dopezil, Yasnal, Memorit, Pezale, Redumas, Zolpezil, Namzaric* Donepezil is indicated for the symptomatic treatment of mild to moderately severe Alzheimer’s dementia.
Official National Product Information
Rivastigmine Exelon, Exelon Patch, Prometax, Rivastach, Nimvastid Symptomatic treatment of mild to moderately severe Alzheimer’s dementia.
Symptomatic treatment of mild to moderately severe dementia in patients with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease.
Official National Product Information
Galantamine Razadyne, Razadyne ER, Reminyl, Reminyl XL, Nivalin, Lycoremine, Galsya Galantamine is indicated for the symptomatic treatment of mild to moderately severe dementia of the Alzheimer type.
Official National Product Information
Memantine Namenda, Namenda XR, Ebixa, Memary, Axura, Akatinol, Maruxa, Nemdatine, Namzaric* Treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease.
Official National Product Information
Lecanemab Leqembi Lecanemab is indicated for the treatment of mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease in adult patients that are apolipoprotein E ε4 (ApoE ε4) heterozygotes or non-carriers.
Official National Product Information
Donanemab Kisunla Donanemab is indicated for the treatment of mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in adult patients that are apolipoprotein Eε4 (ApoE ε4) heterozygotes or non-carriers.
Official National Product Information

*Namzaric = combination of Donepezil and Memantine

Treatment cost

In Hungary, dementia pharmacological treatments are generally covered by NEAK. Palliative care is available for free but hard to access, whereas nursing home, day-care, and private care usually require co-payments.

Approved and available pharmacological treatments for dementia are generally fully covered by the National Health Insurance Fund (NEAK). Palliative care services in the public healthcare sector are available for free, but accessing them is generally a challenging task. Conversely, nursing home care or day care for dementia patients requires some co-payments from patients and their families in Hungary. Dementia treatment and care in private healthcare institutions is generally covered out-of-pocket.

Caregiver support

The Hungarian ápolási díj offers family caregivers roughly HUF 49,960 gross per month (2025), yet only around 20,000 people receive it, and many are unaware of the benefit. Beyond this, state support is limited, so most caregivers rely on NGOs. Organisations such as Feledhetetlen Alapítvány, Modus Alapítvány, and Margit Slachta National Institute of Social Politics provide training, support groups, and Alzheimer’s cafés for dementia caregivers.

Hungary legally mandates a stipend for family caregivers, called the ápolási díj. However, the basic amount of the care allowance is approximately HUF 49,960 gross per month (in 2025), which is rarely enough to cover the expenses faced by caregivers. In addition, only around 20,000 people in Hungary receive the allowance, with many caregivers unaware that they are entitled to this type of support.

Apart from the ápolási díj, caregiver support from the state is generally limited, with most caregivers relying on non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for additional assistance. Feledhetetlen Alapítvány, Modus Alapítvány, and the Margit Slachta National Institute of Social Politics are among the organisations that provide support for caregivers of dementia patients or advocate on their behalf. Feledhetetlen Alapítvány organises dementia carer trainings and caregiver support groups, while Modus Alapítvány has participated in the organisation of Alzheimer’s cafés across Hungary.

Policy

Hungary currently lacks a formal national dementia strategy, despite healthcare and social initiatives supporting patients and caregivers. The 2023 Dementia Social Council sought to develop a National Dementia Program, but progress has stalled. The 2021 National Mental Health Program acknowledges dementia as a major public health issue and recommends repurposing hospital departments, expanding gerontology wards, and supporting civil society and private elderly-care providers. Legal frameworks often impose full guardianship on dementia patients, restricting their rights despite provisions for supported decision-making. Combined with low societal awareness and stigma, many patients and caregivers experience social exclusion and conceal the condition.

National dementia plan

Despite healthcare and social initiatives supporting people with dementia, Hungary has no national dementia strategy. The 2023 Dementia Social Council aimed to develop a National Dementia Program, but progress is stalled. The National Mental Health Program (2021) recognises dementia as a major public health issue and recommends measures including repurposing hospital departments for elderly care, expanding gerontology wards, supporting civil society and private providers, and offering tax or loan incentives to enterprises specialising in elderly services.

Hungary currently does not have a formal national dementia strategy or plan, with progress on the matter stalling. There are numerous service elements and commendable initiatives within the healthcare and social care system to support people with dementia, their families, and caregivers — primarily exemplified in the subsidisation of treatment and care costs within the public healthcare sector, as well as the ápolási díj. However, there is no strategic approach to dementia management in Hungary — none of these initiatives are governed by a singular legal framework. In 2023, the Hungarian government established a Dementia Social Council — which involves medical professionals, policymakers, and representatives of NGOs — and it was meant to oversee the development and implementation of a future National Dementia Program. However, as of 2024, progress on the National Dementia Program stalled, and there are no indications of this initiative picking up steam soon.

Hungary does have a National Mental Health Program (Nemzeti Mentális Egészségügyi Program), which was published in 2021, recognising dementia as a significant public health issue, and suggesting a number of steps that could be taken to improve the management of the disease in the country.

These include:

– The departments operating on external sites of city hospitals could be transformed into nursing departments or social homes, where dementia patients could receive co-payment care.
– Repurposing smaller hospitals to cater exclusively to elderly patients, that is, opening more gerontology and gerontopsychiatry wards.
– Delegating the operation of some units catering to dementia patients to civil society or the private healthcare sector.
– Private enterprises specialising in elderly care should be supported with tax breaks or loans with favourable interest rates.
– Validation of obligations concerned with parental support.

Upcoming plans

There is no indication that the Hungarian government will publish a national dementia strategy soon, after progress on the matter stalled between 2023 and 2024.

Policy gaps

Legal barriers

In Hungary, the legal system frequently restricts dementia patients’ rights through automatic guardianship. The Civil Code allows capacity limitations based on medical assessment, leading to substitute decision-making regimes. Full guardianship can strip individuals of voting, employment, marriage, property, and medical consent rights. While supported decision-making exists legally, in practice it overwhelmingly defaults to full guardianship, creating a system that often conflicts with CRPD principles.

Dementia patients in Hungary face significant legal barriers, primarily due to an inflexible and potentially discriminatory guardianship system that often results in the automatic and total removal of their legal capacity and fundamental rights. The Hungarian Civil Code allows for the partial or full restriction of the capacity of persons with disabilities, including those with dementia, based on a “pure medical assessment.” This often leads to their placement under substitute decision-making regimes (guardianship), which is considered incompatible with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Individuals placed under full guardianship can automatically lose basic rights, such as the right to vote, work, marry, make a will, consent to medical treatment, and manage their own property, without due consideration of their actual capacity in specific areas. While Hungarian law provides for “supported decision-making,” the system often defaults to substitute decision-making (guardianship) in practice. The legal framework focuses more on surrogate decision-making as a primary tool, rather than providing the necessary support for individuals to exercise their own legal capacity.

Cultural barriers

Awareness of dementia in Hungary has been low, fostering stigma and fear. Many individuals and their caregivers hide the condition due to fear-based discrimination, leading to social exclusion and isolation for both patients and families.

Hungarian dementia patients are often stigmatised by broader society. For the most part, awareness about dementia in Hungarian society was rather limited — with a large portion of the population only recently beginning to realise the effects dementia has on families and communities. The pressure of the norm supported fear-based stigmatisation for a long period of time. Individuals with dementia are oftentimes excluded from society, which results in hiding on the part of both patients and their respective caregivers.

Research

Hungarian dementia research largely focuses on genetics and neurology. Semmelweis University found strong links between APOE ɛ4 alleles and early-onset dementia. Parallel studies assessed neurological service use, while Szeged researchers identified POLG and granzyme B as Alzheimer’s biomarkers.

Clinical trials and registries

As a member state of the European Union, Hungary’s clinical trial authorisation and public transparency are managed through the centralised European system: https://euclinicaltrials.eu/
The National Institute of Pharmacy and Nutrition (OGYÉI) is the Hungarian national regulatory authority responsible for approving and overseeing the safety of all clinical trials in the country: https://ogyei.gov.hu/main_page#databases
Hungary faces inherent challenges in consistently monitoring patients with cognitive impairment — it lacks a unified, nationwide dementia registry. In the framework of the Hungarian Brain Research Program, a group of researchers from Semmelweis University and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences created NEUROHUN — a database compiling medical reports of patients who used neurological inpatient and outpatient services from 2004 to 2017. These reports were submitted for reimbursement purposes to the National Health Insurance Fund (NEAK) from all hospitals and outpatient care units in Hungary and form the basis of multiple studies of dementia epidemiology in Hungary.

Selected innovative methods

Hungarian dementia studies primarily observe genetic and neurological patterns. Semmelweis University identified significant associations between APOE ɛ4 alleles and early-onset dementia. In parallel, a ten-year collaboration with the Hungarian Academy of Sciences evaluated hospital and outpatient neurological service usage to guide future healthcare planning. Researchers at the University of Szeged studied Alzheimer’s patients’ cerebrospinal fluid, confirming diagnoses through core biomarkers and highlighting POLG and granzyme B as pathognomonic proteins, offering novel insights into Alzheimer’s pathology within the Hungarian population.

Most studies of dementia in Hungary are observational — aimed at determining genetic and other factors common to dementia patients in the country.

A group of researchers from Semmelweis University in Budapest studied the genetic landscape of early-onset dementia in Hungary. Most notably, they determined that the APOE genotype among Hungarian dementia patients had a high odds ratio for both the APOE ɛ4/3 and the ɛ4/4 alleles.

Researchers from Semmelweis University and the Hungarian National Academy of Sciences conducted a 10-year-long study evaluating the use of neurological services in Hungarian hospitals and outpatient clinics. They did so in order to plan for the national neurological capacities for a coming decade, ensuring a better-informed and more-focused resource allocation.

A group of researchers from the University of Szeged studied CSF samples of Alzheimer’s disease patients in Hungary with the purpose of identifying pathognomonic proteins. The patients’ clinical diagnosis was confirmed by “core” biomarkers prior to their inclusion in the study. Study results provided new information of pathognomonic importance of POLG and granzyme B in cases of Alzheimer’s disease.

Support

Organizations are listed for informational purposes based on publicly available sources. Inclusion does not necessarily indicate affiliation with or endorsement by Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI).

Hungarian NGOs support dementia patients and caregivers through education, advocacy, and practical initiatives. Feledhetetlen Alapítvány offers workshops, the “Dementia Map,” online support groups, and mobile screenings, while Modus Alapítvány runs Alzheimer’s cafés. The Social Cluster Association led the INDA project, and the Open Air Museum hosts “Reminiscence in the Museum.” Feledhetetlen Alapítvány also engages the public digitally via the Metamorfózis.

Selected national associations, patient family associations, NGOs:

Selected initiatives

Several Hungarian NGOs provide vital support for dementia patients and caregivers. Feledhetetlen Alapítvány focuses on public education, advocacy, and caregiver support through initiatives like the “Dementia Map,” “Dementia at Home” online group, Dementia Workshop Training, and mobile “Do Not Forget! Days,” which offer screenings and guidance across the country. Modus Alapítvány organises Alzheimer’s cafés and produces informative materials, supporting local communities and municipalities. The Social Cluster Association previously led the INDA project to identify service gaps and promote early diagnosis. The Hungarian Open Air Museum’s “Reminiscence in the Museum” program helps patients reconnect with memories in a stimulating environment. Collectively, these organisations provide education, early-detection guidance, caregiver support, and promote social inclusion for people living with dementia in Hungary.

Feledhetetlen Alapítvány (lit. Unforgettable Foundation)
Feledhetetlen Alapítvány (lit. Unforgettable Foundation) was founded in 2019 and has been part of the Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) Membership Development Program since 2025. The foundation is based in Miskolc, Hungary, and works to raise attention to the problem of dementia. They aim to (1) educate the broader public about dementia, (2) develop and present good practices in the areas of early detection and home care, (3) support family carers, (4) raise the visibility of dementia as a public issue through awareness campaigns, (5) uncover the invisible difficulties faced by carers, (6) build a community of professionals, stakeholders, and interested parties, and (7) advocate for dementia to public and municipal decision makers. Feledhetetlen Alapítvány organises a number of support initiatives for dementia patients and caregivers, awareness events, and training for medical professionals. These include:
(1) Dementia Map
Dementia Map, a supportive guide for people living with dementia and their families. It helps patients and their families to recognise dementia symptoms and clarify the steps towards diagnosis and treatment. The Dementia Map is primarily helpful for those who notice unusual or surprising changes in themselves, their family members, or acquaintances.
(2) Dementia at Home Facebook group
Dementia at Home Facebook group, an online support community for dementia patients and their caregivers, aiming to facilitate an exchange of their experiences.
(3) Dementia Workshop Training
Dementia Workshop Training, offered to caregivers, medical professionals, volunteers, and all other interested parties. Feledhetetlen Alapítvány offers this training at a fee of HUF 300,000 — not for free.
(4) Do Not Forget! Days
Do Not Forget! Days — Feledhetetlen Alapítvány organises a traveling mobile unit, which goes across Hungary during the month of September, organising health assessments, including dementia screening, and caregiver support activities. In 2024, Feledhetetlen Alapítvány traveled across 13 cities in Hungary.
(5) Modus Alapítvány
Modus Alapítvány was established in 2005 as an NGO. From its start, the aim of Modus has been to play an active and professional role in the modernisation and improvement of the Hungarian welfare system — including through programs for healthy ageing. Modus produced a number of informative materials about dementia for the general public. In addition, Modus has launched a number of Alzheimer’s cafés across Hungary — meeting points for dementia patients, their families, and caregivers within local communities. Modus offers support to municipalities or institutions planning to open Alzheimer’s cafés.
(6) The Social Cluster Association (Szociális Klaszter Egyesület)
The Social Cluster Association (Szociális Klaszter Egyesület) is the Hungarian member of Alzheimer Europe. Not much information about its current activities is available online, but the Social Cluster Association previously coordinated the Interprofessional Dementia Approach (INDA) project with the Catholic Charity Service in Hungary. Run between 2015 and 2017, INDA was a complex, innovative program intended to reveal the needs for services in dementia care, develop a multifaceted care program, and raise awareness about people living with dementia, as well as the opportunities of early diagnosis.
(7) Reminiscence in the Museum
Reminiscence in the Museum, is an initiative of the Hungarian Open Air Museum, which aims to help people living with dementia. Participants, with the help of educators and caregivers, and surrounded by a historically authentic environment, try to reconnect with their past and increase their quality of life.

Dedicated media outlets

While there are no traditional media outlets focused on dementia in Hungary, associations advocating for dementia patients actively engage the public through novel media forms, with the aim of informing the public about dementia and raising awareness of the issues faced by patients and caregivers across Hungary. To that end, Feledhetetlen Alapítvány has launched the Metamorfózis podcast, in which they talk to medical experts about the transformations and changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Understanding the terms

This section explains key terms used throughout the text to help readers better understand the exploration concepts.
Open Term Glossary
SHARE YOUR INSIGHTS

Do you have insights about Alzheimer’s Disease in your country?

Please share it with us and help us make AD Atlas better!
Can we contact you for feedback?
Contents

Understanding the Terms

Terms used throughout this website are explained below.
A

Amyloid-Targeting Therapies (ATT): A class of disease-modifying treatments, primarily monoclonal antibodies, designed to identify and remove amyloid-beta plaques from the brain to slow cognitive and functional decline in early-stage Alzheimer’s. Examples include Lecanemab and Donanemab.

Aphasia: A language disorder that affects a person’s ability to communicate, often seen early in Frontotemporal Dementia.

APOE ε4 Allele: A genetic variant of the Apolipoprotein E gene that is a major risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer’s disease; while not a causative gene, its presence increases the likelihood of developing the condition.

Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors: A class of medications, including Donepezil, Rivastigmine, and Galantamine, used to treat cognitive symptoms by increasing levels of chemical messengers in the brain.

Advance Directives (DAT): Legal documents, such as Disposizioni Anticipate di Trattamento in Italy, that allow individuals to specify their future medical treatment and care preferences while they still have the capacity to do so.

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD): The most common cause of dementia, characterized by a progressive neurodegenerative decline caused by the accumulation of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain.

Amyloid-beta Plaques: Protein fragments that build up in the spaces between nerve cells, disrupting communication and triggering immune responses.

Amyloid PET Scan: A specialized nuclear imaging test that uses radioactive tracers to visualize and measure the density of amyloid-beta plaques in the living brain.

Atrophy: The wasting away or shrinking of brain tissue, often measured via MRI to support a clinical diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s.

B

Biomarkers: Measurable biological indicators, such as proteins found in blood or cerebrospinal fluid, used to identify the underlying pathology of a disease.

Blood Biomarkers: Emerging, less-invasive diagnostic tests that measure specific proteins like p-tau or neurofilament levels in blood plasma to detect Alzheimer’s pathology.

C

CSF Analysis (Cerebrospinal Fluid): A diagnostic procedure involving a lumbar puncture to measure levels of tau and amyloid-beta proteins in the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

CT Scan (Computed Tomography): A diagnostic imaging test using X-rays to create detailed cross-sectional images of the brain; used primarily to rule out other causes of cognitive decline such as tumors or strokes.

Clock Drawing Test (CDT): A brief cognitive screening task where a patient is asked to ask to draw a clock face; it evaluates visuospatial and executive function.

Cognitive Screening: The process of using standardized tests to objectively measure an individual’s mental functions, such as memory, orientation, and attention.

Community-based Care: Healthcare and support services provided within the local community, such as daycare centers, home-based nursing, and local support groups, rather than in institutional settings.

Cube Copying Test: A visuospatial assessment task used during neuropsychological evaluations to test a patient’s ability to replicate geometric shapes.

D

Dementia: An umbrella term for a range of neurological conditions characterized by a decline in memory, language, and thinking skills severe enough to interfere with daily life.

Dementia-friendly Society: A community or national environment where citizens and businesses are trained to understand, respect, and support the needs of people living with dementia.

Disease-modifying Therapies (DMTs): A new class of treatments, such as monoclonal antibodies (e.g., Lecanemab), designed to target the underlying biological causes of Alzheimer’s rather than just managing symptoms.

E

Early-Onset Alzheimer’s: A form of the disease that affects people younger than age 65, often linked to the familial genes.

Executive Function: Higher-level mental skills including planning, focusing, and multitasking; these are often what the Clock Drawing Test evaluates.

F

FDG-PET: A type of PET scan that measures glucose metabolism in the brain to identify patterns characteristic of different dementia subtypes.

Familial Alzheimer’s Disease: A rare, genetic form of the disease linked to mutations in specific genes (APP, PSEN1, PSEN2) that typically presents with early-onset symptoms.

Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD): A type of dementia caused by progressive nerve cell loss in the frontal or temporal lobes, leading to significant changes in behavior, personality, and language.

G

General Practitioner (GP): A primary care physician who acts as the first point of contact and gatekeeper for dementia diagnosis, providing initial assessments and referrals to specialists.

Genotyping: The analysis of an individual’s DNA to identify specific genetic variations associated with dementia risk or causation.

H

Hidden Cost: The indirect economic impacts of dementia, such as the loss of income for family members who must reduce working hours or leave their jobs to provide care.

I

Informal Care / Informal Caregiver: Unpaid care provided by family members, spouses, or friends, which represents the vast majority of long-term support for people living with dementia.

J

Japanese Cognitive Function Test (J-Cog): A specialized cognitive assessment tool used to evaluate mental and functional status in specific research or regional contexts.

L

Lewy Body Dementia (LBD): A type of progressive dementia that leads to a decline in thinking, reasoning, and independent function due to abnormal microscopic deposits that damage brain cells.

Long-Term Care Insurance (LTCI): A specialized branch of insurance, found in systems like Germany and Singapore, that provides financial subsidies for daily living assistance and nursing care.

M

Memory Clinic: A specialized, often multidisciplinary center focused on the expert diagnosis, management, and treatment of dementia and cognitive disorders.

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI): An intermediate stage between normal aging and dementia where memory or thinking problems are noticeable but don’t yet prevent daily functioning.

Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE): A 30-point standardized questionnaire used to measure cognitive impairment by testing orientation, recall, and attention.

Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA): A cognitive screening tool designed to be more sensitive than the MMSE, particularly for identifying Mild Cognitive Impairment.

MRI Scan (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): A non-invasive technology using magnetic fields to produce detailed images of brain structure; used to assess brain atrophy and rule out secondary causes.

N

National Dementia Plan: A formal government strategy outlining a coordinated response to manage dementia diagnosis, care, research, and awareness at a national level.

National Health Insurance (NHI): A government-funded or regulated healthcare system providing universal or subsidized medical services to citizens.

Neuroimaging: The use of advanced techniques, such as CT, MRI, and PET, to visualize the structure and function of the brain for diagnostic purposes.

Neuroinflammation: The brain’s immune response to damage or protein buildup; while initially protective, chronic inflammation can accelerate neurodegeneration.

O

Out-of-Pocket Costs: Direct payments made by patients or their families for medical services, tests, or care that are not covered by insurance or public subsidies.

P

Preclinical Alzheimer’s: The stage where brain changes (like amyloid buildup) are present but no outward symptoms are yet visible.

S

Synaptic Loss: The destruction of synapses (the gaps where neurons communicate), which is often the strongest correlate to cognitive decline.

T

Tau Tangles: Twisted fibers of a protein called tau that build up inside nerve cells, destroying the cell’s transport system.

V

Vascular Dementia: The second most common type of dementia, caused by conditions that block or reduce blood flow to the brain, like strokes.