Districts (járások) serve as the third-level administrative subdivisions of Hungary, positioned between counties and municipalities in the country's four-tier governance structure. Re-established in 2013 after being abolished during the communist era, the 197 districts function primarily as deconcentrated state administrative units rather than self-governing bodies. They are headed by government-appointed district offices (járási hivatalok) that handle various public administrative tasks formerly managed at the county level, including land registry, document authentication, social welfare administration, and various licensing procedures. Districts coordinate the delivery of state services to citizens at a more localized level than counties, serving as intermediaries between central government institutions and local municipalities. Each district typically encompasses one larger town or city and surrounding smaller settlements, creating a practical framework for administering public services across both urban and rural areas.