járások

Járások are administrative subdivisions of a Hungarian county (megye). Each járás groups together a number of settlements, and is centered on a district seat, typically the largest town in the area. The district is served by a járási hivatal (district office), which operates as a local authority for state administration under the county government.

The district office handles a range of public administration tasks at the local level. Common functions include civil administration services and processing for residents, such as civil registry and official documents, as well as coordination of various government services within the district. The exact responsibilities are defined by law and may have evolved through administrative reforms, with the aim of bringing state services closer to citizens and improving efficiency. The district office works together with municipalities within its jurisdiction and provides administrative support to residents who would otherwise need to contact higher-level offices.

Budapest, the capital and largest city, does not follow the same county-based district structure. Instead, it is divided into municipal districts that operate largely independently. In other counties, járások serve as intermediate administrative units between municipalities and the county level, helping to organize public administration and service delivery across the district’s territory.

Governance and supervision of járások are provided by the county’s government apparatus and the state administration network, with each járás led by a district head and staffed to carry out its delegated tasks. The system is part of Hungary’s public administration framework and continues to adapt through legislative changes.