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Hungary Travel Restrictions

Traveler's COVID-19 vaccination status

Traveling from the United States to Hungary

Open for vaccinated visitors

COVID-19 testing

Not required

Not required for vaccinated visitors

Restaurants

Not required in public spaces, enclosed environments and public transportation.

Hungary entry details and exceptions

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Can I travel to Hungary from the United States?

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Hungary.

Can I travel to Hungary if I am vaccinated?

Fully vaccinated visitors from the United States can enter Hungary without restrictions.

Can I travel to Hungary without being vaccinated?

Unvaccinated visitors from the United States can enter Hungary without restrictions.

Do I need a COVID test to enter Hungary?

Visitors from the United States are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result upon entering Hungary.

Can I travel to Hungary without quarantine?

Travelers from the United States are not required to quarantine.

Do I need to wear a mask in Hungary?

Mask usage in Hungary is not required in public spaces, enclosed environments and public transportation.

Are the restaurants and bars open in Hungary?

Restaurants in Hungary are open. Bars in Hungary are .

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Hungary Traveler View

Travel health notices, vaccines and medicines, non-vaccine-preventable diseases, stay healthy and safe.

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After Your Trip

There are no notices currently in effect for Hungary.

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Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Routine vaccines

Recommendations.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Immunization schedules

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see  Your COVID-19 Vaccination  for more information. 

COVID-19 vaccine

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Hungary.

Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.

Travelers allergic to a vaccine component or who are younger than 6 months should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.

Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis A - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep A

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to Hungary. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to Hungary.

Hepatitis B - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep B

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.

All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to  CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .

Measles (Rubeola) - CDC Yellow Book

Hungary is free of dog rabies. However, rabies may still be present in wildlife species, particularly bats. CDC recommends rabies vaccination before travel only for people working directly with wildlife. These people may include veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists, or laboratory workers working with specimens from mammalian species.

Rabies - CDC Yellow Book

Tick-borne Encephalitis

For travelers moving or traveling to TBE-endemic areas

TBE vaccine is recommended for persons who will have extensive exposure to ticks based on their planned outdoor activities and itinerary.

TBE vaccine may be considered for persons who might engage in outdoor activities in areas ticks are likely to be found. 

Tick-borne Encephalitis - CDC Yellow Book

Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

• Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
• Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
• Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
• Avoid contaminated water and soil

Clinical Guidance

Airborne & droplet.

• Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
• Bite from an infected rodent
• Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
• Avoid rodents and areas where they live
• Avoid sick people

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in Hungary, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

• Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
• Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
• Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene | Healthy Water
• Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the  Department of State Country Information Pages  for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Although Hungary is an industrialized country, bug bites here can still spread diseases. Just as you would in the United States, try to avoid bug bites while spending time outside or in wooded areas.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
• Consider using permethrin-treated clothing and gear if spending a lot of time outside. Do not use permethrin directly on skin.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

• FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone
• Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

• Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
• Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in Hungary include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip:

• Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
• Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
• Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
• If you are outside for many hours in the heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
• Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
• Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
• Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

• Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
• Do not dive into shallow water.
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
• Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if you are driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

• Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
• Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
• Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
• Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
• If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately.  Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

• Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
• Go to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

• Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
• If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

• Use latex condoms correctly.
• Do not inject drugs.
• Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
• Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
• If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

• Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
• Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance for things your regular insurance will not cover.
• Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medicines you take.
• Bring copies of your prescriptions for medicine and for eye glasses and contact lenses.
• Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call Hungary’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
• Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
• Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

• Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
• Make sure there are seatbelts.
• Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
• Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
• Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
• Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

• Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
• Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
• Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
• When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
• Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
• Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
• If you choose to drive a vehicle in Hungary, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
• Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
• Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
• Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
• If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
• Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

• Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
• Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
• Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

• Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
• Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
• Follow all local laws and social customs.
• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
• Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
• If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for Hungary for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

Map Disclaimer - The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on maps do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement are generally marked.

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Current Rules For Foreigners Entering Hungary Via Budapest Airport

• 4 May 2021 10:12 AM

This summary is provided by Budapest Airport for what they write is 'information purposes', as we assume they accept no liability for the following: Firstly, special provisions and detailed rules pertain to foreign citizens, which can also be found  in the relevant government decree.  Separate provisions pertain to the participants and organizers of sports events, those appearing at cultural events, technical staff working at such events and the employees of affiliated companies.  

Relevant regulations only permit entry to Hungary for foreign citizens under certain conditions .

Relevant regulations only permit entry to Hungary for foreign citizens under certain conditions. Foreign citizens who have a permanent Hungarian residence permit or one that is valid for more than 90 days (in the case of the former, family members may enter as well) are exempted from the regulations prohibiting entry, along with athletes and sports specialists working here, the employees of cultural institutions in Hungary, freight forwarders undertaking goods traffic, persons participating in official visits, everyone who is able to attest that they overcame the COVID-19 disease during the last six months and those who hold a Hungarian immunity certificate, or an immunity certificate issued by Serbia or Montenegro.  Non-Hungarian citizens who are traveling to Hungary to perform some business or economic activity, arriving from the member states of the European Union or of the European Economic Area (EEA), or, based on an international treaty, from a country of the same status as EEA member states from the perspective of the free movement and residence of persons and are able to credibly attest this during entry are also exempted, and may enter Hungary without restrictions. Additionally, foreign citizens may also enter the country without restrictions if they are the citizens of one of the following countries, or are entitled to reside in one of the countries listed below for more than 90 days, and can attest credibly that they are entering the country for business reasons: United States of America, China, Russia, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Turkey, the Ukraine, Singapore, Bahrein and the United Arab Emirates. Non-Hungarian citizens arriving for international sports events or cultural events may also enter Hungary without restriction if they possess a negative PCR test result performed within 3 days prior to entry and an authentic ticket for the event in question, are able to present these upon entry, and agree to undergo medical screening, which does not show any suspicion of infection. Such foreign citizens are obliged to leave the country within 72 hours of entry. Additionally, the Police may grant an exemption from the prohibition to enter on a case by case basis for foreign citizens who are students studying in Hungary or are participating in family events. Foreign citizens may also enter with authority permission if they are arriving to care for a family member, participating in a sports, cultural or church event, or have some other reasonable grounds to enter. Individual leniency applications can be submitted to the Budapest District XVIII Police Command at the following link:  https://ugyintezes.police.hu/web/guest/uj-ugy-inditasa/ Upon entry, foreign citizens are obliged to enter authority home quarantine for 10 days from the date of entry. They may be exempted from such quarantine if they attest with a document containing the results of two SARS-CoV-2 tests (molecular biology examination in compliance with professional medical practice) performed in Hungary at two different times with at least 48 hours between them that the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus was not detected in their body at the time of the tests. However, it is also acceptable if the first of the two tests is performed in one of the Schengen countries, the United States of America or Canada. In the case of families traveling together, if at least one of the parties is a Hungarian citizen, the foreign family member (child, parent, grandparent, husband or wife) is permitted to enter Hungary.

Rules on transiting

Pursuant to government decree no. 408/2020 (VIII. 30.) on travel restrictions during the pandemic preparedness period, non-Hungarian citizens arriving from abroad in passenger traffic may enter Hungary for the purpose of transiting if they subject themselves to medical examination on entry, and the medical examination does not establish the suspicion of COVID-19 infection. As additional pre-requisites for entry, non-Hungarian citizens arriving from other countries shall fulfil the conditions of entry prescribed in the Schengen Borders Code, credibly prove the purpose of their travel and the destination country and ensure that they are allowed to enter the destination country (and, to that end, the next country  en route  to the destination country from Hungary).  

Document check upon entry

All persons entering Hungary at Ferenc Liszt International Airport (including the citizens of Schengen countries) are obliged to undergo a mandatory document check and body temperature measurement and, if necessary, additional medical checks. The decision on entering the country is made by authority personnel on site, based on the conditions defined in the relevant decrees. Document checks and data recording is carried out by the Airport Police Directorate. Since, pursuant to the strict regulations on entering the country, passengers need to be questioned in detail and their data needs to be recorded prior to entry, the document control requires more time than previously. To ensure a seamless entry process, Budapest Airport and the Airport Police Directorate ask passengers to prepare the necessary documents, so that the authorities can make their decision on the quarantine as soon as possible, and can issue the certificate ordering it or on the exemption from it. Budapest Airport asks all travelers to monitor the travel information issued by their airline and airport’s website for all other relevant information.  

Passengers waiting in the transit area

Foreign citizens who are not permitted to enter Hungary must wait in the designated transit area until departure. Budapest Airport provides blankets, unlimited Wi-Fi access and, upon request, face masks for such passengers waiting in the transit area.

Airport continues to welcome & launch flights on a continuous basis.

Budapest Airport will continue to welcome and launch flights on a continuous basis. According to the operator’s forecast, the travel restrictions announced by the government and becoming effective from 1 September are expected to have a similar impact on passenger traffic as the measures in force from the middle of March until June. Numerous airlines have already canceled their flights for the next month since the announcement. We therefore expect the same level of passenger traffic as seen during the earlier restrictions, which could be fewer than 3000 passengers per day, whilst the airport normally handles more than 50 000 travelers daily in September. For the safety of passengers and staff, Budapest Airport performs disinfectant cleaning at the airport on a continuous basis. In the interest of maintaining 1.5 meter social distancing, it placed floor stickers and prohibitive stickers on every second seat in the transit area. The wearing of face masks is mandatory for all staff in the passenger circulation areas of Terminal 2. The ventilation system in the building is regularly disinfected, to ensure an appropriate air supply. Fliers have been available at the terminals in five languages since January, providing information on protection against coronavirus. Budapest Airport has placed hand sanitizer dispensers for passengers throughout the building.

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• Rules Foreigners Entering Leaving Hungary Budapest Airport

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Travel Advisory July 26, 2023

Hungary - level 1: exercise normal precautions.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise normal precautions in Hungary.

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Hungary.

If you decide to travel to Hungary:

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ) to receive alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Hungary.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel. 
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

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Quick Facts

Six months validity recommended; three months validity beyond planned departure date from the Schengen Zone required.

One (1) page per stamp.

Not required for stays under 90 days.

Amounts of more than 10,000 Euros (or equivalent currency) must be declared.

Embassies and Consulates

U.S. Embassy Budapest

Szabadság tér 12 H-1054 Budapest Hungary Telephone: +(36) (1) 475-4400 Email: [email protected]

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Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

Hungary is a party to the Schengen Agreement, which allows for free movement between certain European countries. U.S. citizens may enter Hungary for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. If you plan to stay longer, please visit the Embassy of Hungary for the most current visa information.

Traveling Through Europe : If you are planning to visit or travel through European countries, you should be familiar with the requirements of the Schengen Agreement. Please review our U.S. Travelers in Europe page .

• Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay .
• You will need sufficient proof of funds and a return plane ticket .
• For additional information about visas for the Schengen area, see the Schengen Visa page .

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Hungary.

Find information on dual nationality , prevention of international child abduction and customs regulations on our websites.

Safety and Security

Terrorist groups and those inspired by such organizations are intent on attacking U.S. citizens abroad. Terrorists are increasingly using less sophisticated methods of attack – including knives, firearms, and vehicles – to more effectively target crowds. Frequently, their aim is unprotected or vulnerable targets, such as:

• High-profile public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.)
• Hotels, clubs, and restaurants frequented by tourists
• Places of worship
• Shopping malls and markets
• Public transportation systems (including subways, buses, trains, and scheduled commercial flights) 

Terrorism: Terrorist groups and those inspired by such organizations are intent on attacking U.S. citizens abroad, including in Europe. For more information, see our Terrorism page.

Crime: Although Hungary is generally a safe place to visit, you should use caution and stay alert. Be especially careful in crowded tourist areas, train stations, buses, trams, and metros.

Passports, cash, and credit cards are favorite targets of thieves. The Embassy regularly receives reports of pickpocketing on the trains between Budapest and Vienna, so please be especially mindful of your belongings when traveling this route. There have been some instances in Budapest where U.S. citizens were overcharged exorbitant prices for food, beverages, or taxi services. Always verify the cost before making a purchase.

There have been incidents, although rare, where U.S. citizens were unknowingly drugged. Do not accept food or drink from anyone but a server. Additionally, the Embassy has received reports of racially motivated assaults. Please report all crimes to the local police. In an emergency dial 112 for help and contact the U.S. Embassy for follow-up assistance.

General tips to avoid becoming a victim of crime:

• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Do not walk alone at night.
• Be vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs.
• Stay alert in crowded locations frequented by tourists.
• Always keep your belongings secure.
• Do not accept food or drink from anyone but a server.

Victims of Crime: Hungarian authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes committed in Hungary. Report crimes to the local police by calling 112 .

U.S. citizen victims of violent crime and sexual assault are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance. See our webpage about help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

• Help you find appropriate medical care 
• Assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• Contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• Provide general information regarding the victim’s role during the local investigation and following its conclusion
• Provide a list of local attorneys 
• Provide our information on victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution
• Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• Replace a stolen or lost passport

Demonstrations: Political gatherings and protests occur frequently in Hungary, mostly in Budapest. They may take place in response to political or economic issues, on politically significant holidays, and during international events. Ethnic nationalist groups have gained popularity in Hungary in the past years, in some cases advocating intolerance towards migrants and minorities, including Jews, Roma, and LGBTI+ individuals. Although these far-right groups do not engage in violence and are not explicitly anti-United States, you should avoid public demonstrations and confrontations with their members.

• Demonstrations can be unpredictable, avoid areas around protests and political rallies. 
• Check local media for updates and traffic advisories.
• In a few instances where demonstrations have turned violent, authorities have used riot police to control crowds.

Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the Embassy for assistance.

International Financial Scams: See the  Department of State  and   FBI webpages for information.

Tourism: The tourism industry is generally well-regulated and rules enforced. Hazardous areas/activities are identified with appropriate signage and professional staff is typically on hand in support of organized activities. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is generally available throughout the country. Outside of major metropolitan centers, it may take more time for first responders and medical professionals to stabilize a patient and provide life-saving assistance. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance . 

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.  Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession that requires additional permits or licensing should seek information from the competent local authorities, prior to practicing or operating a business.

• Always carry your passport with you in Hungary. Local police may require you to show documentation to establish your identity upon request. Hungarian police may take you into custody if you attempt to prove your identity with documents other than a passport.
• Hungary has a zero-tolerance policy for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Penalties are severe, including significant jail time.

Some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our webpage for further information.

Special Circumstances regarding Banking and Customs:

• Travelers’ checks are not universally accepted in Hungary. ATMs are readily available.
• It is not possible to cash personal checks in Hungary without a local bank account, which requires residency.
• Western Union is the most prevalent international money transfer company and has many locations throughout Hungary. You must have photo identification to receive a wire transfer.
• Visit the National Tax and Customs Administration of Hungary for information about import and export of potentially restricted items.

Counterfeit and Pirated Goods: Although counterfeit and pirated goods are prevalent in many countries, they may still be illegal according to local laws. You may also pay fines or have to give them up if you bring them back to the United States. See the U.S. Department of Justice website for more information.

Faith-Based Travelers: See the following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report – see country reports
• Human Rights Report – see country report
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTQI+ Travelers: There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTQI+ events in Hungary. However, organizers may encounter disruptive behavior by far-right wing extremists at events supporting the LGBTQI+ community.

See our LGBTQI+ Travel Information page and section 6 of our Human Rights Report for further details.

Travelers with Disabilities: The law in Hungary prohibits discrimination against persons with physical or mental disabilities, and the law is enforced. Social acceptance of persons with disabilities in public is as prevalent as in the United States. The most common types of accessibility issues may include accessible facilities and ease of movement. Expect accessibility to be limited in public transportation, lodging, and general infrastructure. There can be a significant difference in accessibility between Budapest and the rest of the country.

Students:   See our Students Abroad webpage and FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers: See our travel tips for Women Travelers .

Women Travelers:  See our travel tips for  Women Travelers .

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also provides Traveler Health Information for Hungary .

For emergency services in Hungary dial:

• 104 for Ambulance Services
• 107 for the Police
• 105 for the Fire Department
• 112 for English-Speaking Emergency Responders (All Types of Emergencies)

The U.S. Embassy maintains a list of doctors and hospitals . We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic.

Ambulance services are widely available in Hungary, but training and availability of emergency responders may be below U.S. standards. All ambulances may not be equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment.

Adequate health facilities are available in the capital and other major cities, but health care in rural areas may be below U.S. standards. Medical staff may speak little or no English. Generally, in public hospitals only minimal staff is available overnight in non-emergency wards. Psychological and psychiatric services are limited, even in the larger cities, with hospital-based care only available through government institutions.

Some hospitals and doctors require payment “up front” prior to service or admission. Credit card payment is not always available. Some private clinics and hospitals may require advance payment or proof of adequate insurance before admitting a patient. Travelers should make efforts to obtain complete information on billing, pricing, and proposed medical procedures before agreeing to any medical care. Patients bear all costs for transfer to or between hospitals.

We do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance coverage overseas. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas. We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

Prescription Medication: Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. Check with the government of Hungary to ensure the medication is legal in Hungary. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription. Prescription and over-the-counter medicines are widely available at pharmacies.

Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy: If you are considering traveling to have a child through use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) or surrogacy, please see our ART and Surrogacy Abroad page . Hungarian law forbids surrogacy arrangements.

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety: Roadside assistance, including medical and other services, is available. Dial 112 to speak to English-speaking emergency operators.

Highways and urban roads are generally in good condition. As in most European countries, you must pay a toll to use Hungary’s highways. Payments must be made either at a gas station or online .

• Areas under construction are not always adequately marked.
• Be on the alert when driving in rural areas. Rural roads are often narrow and poorly lit.
• Pedestrians, tractors, and farm animals often share the use of rural roads.
• Train crossings are not always well-designated.

Additional information on road conditions is available from “ Útinform ” at +36-1-336-2400.

Traffic Laws: Hungary has zero tolerance for driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs. Prison sentences for DUI violations or accidents caused by impaired drivers are severe.

• Police often conduct routine roadside checks and administer breath-analysis tests.
• Police stop vehicles regularly to check documents.
• Use of hand-held cell phones while driving is not permitted.
• Car seats are required for infants.
• Children under the age of 12 may not sit in the front seat.
• Seat belt use is mandatory.
• You can drive in Hungary with a valid U.S. driver’s license for one year as long as you have a certified Hungarian translation of the license attached. After one year of residence, you must obtain a Hungarian driver’s license.
• International driver’s permits (IDP) issued by the American Automobile Association (AAA) are acceptable when used with a valid state driver’s license.

Hungarian police issue traffic violations in the form of a postal check that reflects the amount of the fine. You may pay the fines at any Hungarian post office. Police will confiscate the passport of a person who chooses to contest the fine and issue the person an “invitation letter” to appear at the police station to resolve the dispute. Police will return the passport after resolution and/or payment of the fine.

Public Transportation: Public transportation in Budapest is excellent. Budapest’s tram, subway, and bus service are reliable. Find more information online: Budapest Public Transport . Public transportation outside of Budapest is not as dependable.

• To avoid being a subject to on-the-spot fines in public transportation, you must follow rules for purchasing and properly validating your ticket.
• Taxis in Budapest are plentiful and generally inexpensive. All taxis are yellow, marked accordingly, and should have meters. The Embassy urges all travelers to insist on using a metered taxi, and to avoid entering into agreements with taxi drivers to an unmetered fare.
• Hungary’s train service is generally reliable. The Embassy regularly receives reports of pickpocketing on the trains between Budapest and Vienna. Be mindful of your belongings when traveling this route.

Aviation Safety Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Hungary’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Hungary’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page .

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Hungary . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA ) report.

Travel Advisory Levels

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Check passport expiration dates carefully for all travelers! Children’s passports are issued for 5 years, adult passports for 10 years.

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New video shows the latest Covid regulations in Hungary

With 5.5 million people in Hungary now vaccinated, the Hungarian Tourism Agency has just released a new video in English showing the latest Covid regulations. Masks and Immunity Certificates are no longer needed for restaurants, hotels and spas but required for larger-scale sports and cultural events, as well as for admission to hospitals and health centres. All is outlined in this simple, two-minute animation clip!

As well showing how certain  Covid restrictions have now been dropped, the video explains the benefits of the EU digital Covid certificate, in force since 1 July and allowing entry into Hungary . Other forms of proof are also recognised:

For more detailed information, see the relevant page of Visit Hungary .

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• Passports, travel and living abroad
• Travel abroad
• Foreign travel advice

Warnings and insurance

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice .

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide as well as support for British nationals abroad which includes:

• advice on preparing for travel abroad and reducing risks
• information for women, LGBT+ and disabled travellers

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance . Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

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COVID-19: travel health notice for all travellers

Hungary travel advice

Latest updates: The Need help? section was updated.

Last updated: April 10, 2024 12:21 ET

On this page

Safety and security, entry and exit requirements, laws and culture, natural disasters and climate, hungary - take normal security precautions.

Take normal security precautions in Hungary

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Petty crime

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, occurs, particularly at markets, on public transportation and in railway stations, shopping centres and tourist areas.

• Ensure that your personal belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times
• Avoid showing signs of affluence and carrying large sums of cash

Car thefts and highway robberies may occur. Tactics are used by thieves to persuade drivers to pull over, allowing them to steal items from the distracted driver’s car

• Be cautious when stopping at gas stations and highway parking areas, especially after dark
• Be wary of individuals experiencing roadside emergencies (a smoking engine, flat tire, etc.)

There is a threat of terrorism in Europe. Terrorist attacks have occurred in a number of European cities. There is a potential for other violent incidents.

Targets could include:

• government buildings, including schools
• places of worship
• airports and other transportation hubs and networks
• public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, markets, hotels and other sites frequented by foreigners

Always be aware of your surroundings when in public places.

Demonstrations

Demonstrations occur periodically. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Spiked food and drinks

Never leave food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangers. Be wary of accepting snacks, beverages, gum or cigarettes from new acquaintances. These items may contain drugs that could put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery.

A small number of restaurants and clubs don’t list prices, particularly in areas frequented by tourists.

Some scams involve surcharges on final bills for drinks or meals. If you are unable to pay the bill, you’ll likely be accompanied by the establishment’s security guard to an ATM and forced to withdraw funds while possibly being threatened. Taxi drivers are sometimes accomplices in these scams.

Young women sometimes approach travellers at reputable bars with invitations to socialize at a nearby bar. Once at the new bar, some travellers fall victim to criminal activity or receive very large bills for drinks and entertainment.

• Ask to see a menu with prices clearly listed before ordering
• Avoid discussions regarding overcharging, as they could lead to violence
• Don’t ask taxi drivers to recommend bars or clubs

Overseas fraud

Road safety

Road conditions and road safety are generally good throughout the country.

Roads may be narrow, badly lit and poorly maintained. Drivers may be aggressive or reckless. Traffic congestion and parking availability in large cities can be a problem.

Public transportation

Buses, trams, the metro and trains are reliable means of transportation. Delays and disruptions at border crossings, including while travelling by bus or train, may occur.

Lock your compartment door from the inside on overnight trains.

If you plan to use a taxi in Hungary:

• only use officially marked taxis
• call a taxi through a dispatcher rather than hailing one on the street
• ensure that the meter is on and charges the appropriate rate, which should be displayed in the taxi

Incidents of overcharging by taxi drivers have occurred. If you think your taxi driver has overcharged you:

• take note of the taxi information
• ask for a receipt
• contact the taxi company to report the incident

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from Hungarian authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the  Foreign Representatives in Canada .

• Schengen area

Hungary is a Schengen area country. Canadian citizens do not need a visa for travel to countries within the Schengen area. However, visa-free travel only applies to stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Stays are cumulative and include visits to any Schengen area country.

If you plan to stay in the Schengen area for a longer period of time, you will need a visa. You must contact the high commission or embassy of the country or countries you are travelling to and obtain the appropriate visa(s) prior to travel.

Useful links

• Foreign Representatives in Canada

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the date you expect to leave the Schengen area.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Tourist visa: not required for stays less than 90 days in any 180-day period* Business visa: not required for stays less than 90 days in any 180-day period* Student visa: not required for stays less than 90 days in any 180-day period*

* The 90-day period begins upon initial entry into any country of the Schengen area. Stays are cumulative and include visits to any Schengen area country within any 180-day period.

Other entry requirement

Hungarian authorities may deny you entry if you’ve failed to pay a previous fine.

Children and travel

Learn more about travelling with children .

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Relevant Travel Health Notices

• Global Measles Notice - 13 March, 2024
• COVID-19 and International Travel - 13 March, 2024

This section contains information on possible health risks and restrictions regularly found or ongoing in the destination. Follow this advice to lower your risk of becoming ill while travelling. Not all risks are listed below.

Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you travel to get personalized health advice and recommendations.

Routine vaccines

Be sure that your  routine vaccinations , as per your province or territory , are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. 

Yellow fever is a disease caused by a flavivirus from the bite of an infected mosquito.

Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.

• There is no risk of yellow fever in this country.

Country Entry Requirement*

• Proof of vaccination is not required to enter this country.

Recommendation

• Vaccination is not recommended.

* It is important to note that country entry requirements may not reflect your risk of yellow fever at your destination. It is recommended that you contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) you will be visiting to verify any additional entry requirements.

About Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in Canada

There is a risk of hepatitis A in this destination. It is a disease of the liver. People can get hepatitis A if they ingest contaminated food or water, eat foods prepared by an infectious person, or if they have close physical contact (such as oral-anal sex) with an infectious person, although casual contact among people does not spread the virus.

Practise  safe food and water precautions and wash your hands often. Vaccination is recommended for all travellers to areas where hepatitis A is present.

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a risk in some areas of this destination. It is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). It is spread to humans by the bite of infected ticks or occasionally when unpasteurized milk products are consumed.

Travellers to areas where TBE is found may be at higher risk  during April to November, and the risk is highest for people who hike or camp in forested areas.

Protect yourself from tick bites . The vaccine is not available in Canada. It may be available in the destination you are travelling to.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It can spread quickly from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are fully protected against measles.

  Hepatitis B is a risk in every destination. It is a viral liver disease that is easily transmitted from one person to another through exposure to blood and body fluids containing the hepatitis B virus.  Travellers who may be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment, sharing needles, tattooing, acupuncture or occupational exposure) are at higher risk of getting hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all travellers. Prevent hepatitis B infection by practicing safe sex, only using new and sterile drug equipment, and only getting tattoos and piercings in settings that follow public health regulations and standards.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious viral disease. It can spread from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

It is recommended that all eligible travellers complete a COVID-19 vaccine series along with any additional recommended doses in Canada before travelling. Evidence shows that vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. While vaccination provides better protection against serious illness, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Anyone who has not completed a vaccine series is at increased risk of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and is at greater risk for severe disease when travelling internationally.

Before travelling, verify your destination’s COVID-19 vaccination entry/exit requirements. Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are adequately protected against COVID-19.

 The best way to protect yourself from seasonal influenza (flu) is to get vaccinated every year. Get the flu shot at least 2 weeks before travelling.  

 The flu occurs worldwide. 

•  In the Northern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs from November to   April.
•  In the Southern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs between April and   October.
•  In the tropics, there is flu activity year round. 

The flu vaccine available in one hemisphere may only offer partial protection against the flu in the other hemisphere.

The flu virus spreads from person to person when they cough or sneeze or by touching objects and surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus. Clean your hands often and wear a mask if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms.

In this destination, rabies  may be present in some wildlife species, including bats. Rabies is a deadly disease that spreads to humans primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal. 

If you are bitten or scratched by an animal while travelling, immediately wash the wound with soap and clean water and see a health care professional. 

Before travel, discuss rabies vaccination with a health care professional. It may be recommended for travellers who will be working directly with wildlife. 

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

• Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
• Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
• Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs. 

Travellers' diarrhea is the most common illness affecting travellers. It is spread from eating or drinking contaminated food or water.

Risk of developing travellers' diarrhea increases when travelling in regions with poor standards of hygiene and sanitation. Practise safe food and water precautions.

The most important treatment for travellers' diarrhea is rehydration (drinking lots of fluids). Carry oral rehydration salts when travelling.

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

• Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
• Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
• Minimize exposure to insects
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette , which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

•   washing your hands often
• avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
• avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) , HIV , and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine.  

Medical services and facilities

Satisfactory medical care is available. Quality of care varies across public and private institutions. Private clinics are available but are considerably more expensive. 

Doctors and hospitals expect a proof of travel insurance or payment for health services.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Travel health and safety

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a   travel health kit , especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad .

Transfer to a Canadian prison

Canada and Hungary are signatories to the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. This enables a Canadian imprisoned in Hungary to request a transfer to a Canadian prison to complete a sentence. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Hungary authorities.

This process can take a long time, and there is no guarantee that the transfer will be approved by either or both sides.

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect prison sentences and heavy fines.

Drugs, alcohol and travel

2SLGBTQI+ travellers

Hungarian law doesn’t prohibit sexual acts between individuals of the same sex. However, homosexuality isn’t widely accepted in Hungarian society.

2SLGBTQI+ travellers should carefully consider the risks of travelling to Hungary.

Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is legally recognized in Hungary.

If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of Hungary, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements .

Travellers with dual citizenship

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. The convention applies between Canada and Hungary.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Hungary, and if the applicable conditions are met, you may apply for the return of your child to the Hungarian court.

If you are in this situation:

• act as quickly as you can
• contact the Central Authority for your province or territory of residence for information on starting an application under The Hague Convention
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in Hungary to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children’s Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country’s judicial affairs.

• List of Canadian Central Authorities for the Hague Convention
• International Child Abduction: A Guidebook for Left-Behind Parents
• Travelling with children
• The Hague Convention - Hague Conference on Private International Law
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Emergency Watch and Response Centre

Identification

You must carry photo identification, such as your passport, at all times. Photocopies are not accepted. Keep a photocopy of your passport in a safe place, in case it’s lost or confiscated.

Police strictly enforce traffic regulations.

The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.00%. Penalties for drinking and driving are severe. If a police officer suspects you of drinking and driving, they could confiscate your driver’s licence on the spot. If you’re convicted, you can expect heavy fines and jail sentences.

Police also conduct routine road checks, including the administration of breathalyser tests. Police automatically administer breathalyser tests following an accident.

Police issue a ticket indicating the amount of the fine for traffic violations. This fine is to be paid at any post office.

Police may retain your driver’s licence if you dispute a fine or offence. They’ll then issue a receipt and letter instructing you to report to a police station. Your driver’s licence is returned upon settlement of the dispute.

You should carry an international driving permit.

• More about driving in Hungary - European Commission
• More about the International Driving Permit

You’ll need a motorway vignette (permit) to travel on highways. You may purchase these electronic vignettes at gas stations, online or using your mobile phone. If the vendor doesn’t issue stickers, you must keep receipts for one year as proof of payment.

Buy e-Vignette online - Hungarian motorway vignette

You must validate your ticket at the start of your journey. You must show it to an inspector upon request. Violators are subject to fines, or arrest and prosecution.

The currency in Hungary is the forint (HUF).

Euros are accepted in Budapest and some other major cities where a sign is posted. Rates may not be very competitive. Don’t use unofficial moneychangers.

If you are carrying €10,000 or more, or the equivalent in other currencies, you must make a declaration to customs when you enter or leave the European Union. It includes sums in:

• banknotes and coins
• bearer negotiable instruments such as cheques, travellers’ cheques, promissory notes and money orders
• bonds, shares
• gold coins with a gold content of at least 90 %
• gold bars, nuggets or clumps with a gold content of at least 99.5 %
• any other convertible asset

This does not apply if you are travelling within the European Union or in transit to a non-EU country.

EU cash controls - European Commission

Spring flooding can occur between March and May. It occurs annually in the northeast, along the watershed of the upper Tisza River. There is also periodic spring flooding along the Danube River.

These conditions can put you at risk and hamper the provision of essential services. If you decide to travel to Hungary during these periods:

• be prepared to change your travel plans on short notice, including cutting short or cancelling your trip
• stay informed of the latest regional weather forecasts
• carry emergency contact information for your airline or tour operator
• follow the advice and instructions of local authorities

Local services

In case of emergency, dial:

• general emergency assistance: 112
• ambulance: 104
• police: 107

Consular assistance

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia

For emergency consular assistance, call the embassy of Canada to Hungary, in Budapest, and follow the instructions. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa.

The decision to travel is your choice and you are responsible for your personal safety abroad. We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad.

The content on this page is provided for information only. While we make every effort to give you correct information, it is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. The Government of Canada does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided.

If you need consular assistance while abroad, we will make every effort to help you. However, there may be constraints that will limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide services.

Learn more about consular services .

Risk Levels

  take normal security precautions.

Take similar precautions to those you would take in Canada.

  Exercise a high degree of caution

There are certain safety and security concerns or the situation could change quickly. Be very cautious at all times, monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

IMPORTANT: The two levels below are official Government of Canada Travel Advisories and are issued when the safety and security of Canadians travelling or living in the country or region may be at risk.

  Avoid non-essential travel

Your safety and security could be at risk. You should think about your need to travel to this country, territory or region based on family or business requirements, knowledge of or familiarity with the region, and other factors. If you are already there, think about whether you really need to be there. If you do not need to be there, you should think about leaving.

  Avoid all travel

You should not travel to this country, territory or region. Your personal safety and security are at great risk. If you are already there, you should think about leaving if it is safe to do so.

Travel Guide

• Things to Do
• Best Hotels
• Things to See
• Best Restaurants
• Best Nightlife
• Getting Around
• Entry Requirements & Customs
• Tips on Accommodations
• Calendar of Events
• Sustainable Travel & Ecotourism
• Getting There
• Tips for Families
• Escorted & Package Tours
• Tips for Gay and Lesbian Travelers
• Health & Insurance
• Tips for Senior Travelers
• Tips for Student Travelers
• Tips for Travelers with Disabilities
• Tips for Women Travelers
• Tips for Black Travelers
• Staying Connected
• Organized Tours
• Getting to Know
• Walking Tours
• Active Pursuits
• Suggested Itineraries

Entry Requirements & Customs in Budapest

All citizens of Australia, Canada, Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, the U.K., and the U.S. entering Hungary are required to show a passport that will be valid for their entire length of stay.

For information, please contact the following agencies:

For Residents of Australia -- Contact the Australian Passport Information Service at tel. 131-232, or visit the government website at www.passports.gov.au.

For Residents of Canada -- Contact the central Passport Office, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ottawa, ON K1A 0G3 (tel. 800/567-6868; www.ppt.gc.ca).

For Residents of Ireland -- Contact the Passport Office, Setanta Centre, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2 (tel. 01/671-1633; www.irlgov.ie/iveagh).

For Residents of New Zealand -- Contact the Passport Office at tel. 0800/225-050 or tel. 04/474-8100, or log on to www.passports.govt.nz.

For Residents of the United Kingdom -- Visit your nearest passport office, major post office, or travel agency or contact the United Kingdom Passport Service at tel. 0870/521-0410 or search its website at www.ukpa.gov.uk.

For Residents of the United States -- To find your regional passport office, either check the U.S. State Department website or call the National Passport Information Center toll-free number (tel. 877/487-2778 ) for automated information.

A specific visa is not required for visiting Hungary for citizens of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the U.K., or the U.S. However, when you enter the country, you are technically entering on a tourist visa, though there are no preparations needed; it is automatic when you enter the country. All but the British are permitted to stay for 90 days on a tourist visa. The British are allowed a 6-month stay. In order to work or study, you must apply for special visas before leaving your country of citizenship by applying to the Hungarian Embassy or Consulate there.

You may come across information about the Schengen visa. However, citizens from the countries above are exempt from needing this visa. There is a word of caution here. The Schengen countries are not all E.U. countries and not all E.U. countries are Schengen countries. The Schengen Agreement is a treaty between participating countries allowing free movement and travel across borders without passport control. However, there are occasional passport control spot checks. Schengen member states include Austria, Belgium, The Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden. The U.K. and Ireland are not part of the Schengen zone.

The period of stay for citizens carrying passports from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the U.S. visiting the Schengen states is a total of 3 months cumulative stay in the combined member states during any 6-month period. Passport controllers may check your passport to ascertain whether or not you have overstayed your visa. Stays for longer require special visas issued prior to leaving your home country.

British and Irish nationals can visit Hungary as a tourist without a visa. Visitors from Australia, the U.S., Canada, and New Zealand may visit for 90 days as a tourist without a visa.

Note that in 2009, the Hungarian government announced it would be closing four embassies and a large number of missions, though the final list was not available at the time of this writing. Check this government website for current information: www.mfa.gov.hu/kum/en/bal/missions/missions_abroad/ .

Australian and New Zealand citizens can obtain up-to-date visa information from the Hungary Embassy, Canberra, 17 Beale Crescent Deakin, ACT 2600 (tel. 6282/2555 ). The embassy website is www.mfa.gov.hu/emb/canberra.

In Sydney, the Consulate General's office is at Edgecliff Centre 203-233, Suite 405, New South Head Road (tel. 9328-7859 ) or check the consulate's website at www.mfa.gov.hu/cons/sydney.

British subjects can obtain up-to-date information from the Hungarian Embassy at 35 Eaton Place, London SW1X 8BY (tel. 020/7201-34-40; www.mfa.gov.hu/kulkepviselet/UK/en/mainpage.htm).

Irish citizens can obtain up-to-date information through the Hungarian Embassy, 2 Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin 2, Ireland (tel. 01/661-2902, 661-2903; www.mfa.gov.hu/emb/dublin).

What You Can Bring Into Hungary -- You're allowed to bring duty-free into Hungary 250 cigarettes, 2 liters of wine, and 1 liter of spirits. There is no limit to the amount of money you may bring into the country. However, you may not take out of the country more than 1,000,000 forints in Hungarian currency.

What You Can Take Home from Hungary -- Returning U.S. citizens who have been away for at least 48 hours are allowed to bring back, once every 30 days, $800 worth of merchandise duty-free. You'll pay a flat rate of duty on the next $1,000 worth of purchases. Any dollar amount beyond that is subject to duties at whatever rates apply. On mailed gifts, the duty-free limit is $200. Be sure to keep your receipts or purchases accessible to expedite the declaration process. Note: If you owe duty, you are required to pay on your arrival in the United States using cash, personal check, government, or traveler's check, money order, or, in some locations, a Visa or MasterCard.

To avoid paying duty on foreign-made personal items you own before your trip, bring along a bill of sale, insurance policy, jeweler's appraisal, or receipts of purchase. You can also register items that can be readily identified by a permanently affixed serial number or marking, for instance laptops, cameras, and CD players, with Customs before you leave. Take the items to the nearest Customs office or register them with Customs at the airport from which you're departing. You'll receive, at no cost, a Certificate of Registration, which allows duty-free entry for the life of the item.

With few exceptions, you cannot bring fresh fruits or vegetables into the United States; however, if your trip continues from here to other European countries, you will need to know their restrictions also. Some countries in Europe are now restricting the transport of Hungarian salami, of which Pick is a famous brand. Many rules change frequently, so it is best to have the most current information on hand. For specifics on what you can bring back, download the invaluable free pamphlet Know Before You Go. Go to www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel and browse "Travel Smart." Alternatively, contact the U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP), 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20229 (tel. 877/287-8667 ) and request the pamphlet.

For a clear summary of Canadian rules, write for the booklet I Declare, issued by the Canada Border Services Agency (tel. 800/461-9999 in Canada, or tel. 204/983-3500 ; www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca). Canada allows its citizens a C$750 exemption, and you're allowed to bring back duty-free 1 carton of cigarettes, 1 can of tobacco, 40 imperial ounces of liquor, and 50 cigars. In addition, you're allowed to mail gifts to Canada valued at less than C$60 a day, provided they're unsolicited and don't contain alcohol or tobacco (write on the package "Unsolicited gift, under C$60 value"). All valuables should be declared on the Y-38 form before departure from Canada, including serial numbers of valuables you already own, such as expensive foreign cameras. Note: The C$750 exemption can be used only once a year and only after a 7-day absence.

Citizens of the U.K. who are returning from a European Union (E.U.) country will go through a separate Customs exit especially for E.U. travelers. In essence, there is no limit on what you can bring back from an E.U. country, provided the items are for personal use (this includes gifts), and you have already paid the necessary duty and tax. Customs laws, however, set out guidance levels. If you bring in more than these levels, you may be asked to prove that the goods are for your own use. Guidance levels on goods bought in the E.U. for personal use are 3,200 cigarettes, 200 cigars, 400 cigarillos, 3 kilograms of smoking tobacco, 10 liters of spirits, 90 liters of wine, 20 liters of fortified wine (such as port or sherry), and 110 liters of beer.

The duty-free allowance in Australia is A$400 or for those 17 and under, A$200. Citizens can bring in 250 cigarettes or 250 grams of loose tobacco, and 1,125 milliliters of alcohol. If you're returning with valuables you already own, such as foreign-made cameras, you should file form B263. A helpful brochure is available from Australian consulates or Customs offices called Know Before You Go. For more information, call the Australian Customs Service at tel. 1300/363-263, or log onto www.customs.gov.au.

The duty-free allowance for New Zealand is NZ$700. Citizens over 17 can bring in 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco (or a mixture of all three if their combined weight doesn't exceed 250g), plus 4.5 liters of wine and beer, or 1.125 liters of liquor. New Zealand currency does not carry import or export restrictions. Fill out a certificate of export, listing the valuables you are taking out of the country; that way, you can bring them back without paying duty. Most questions are answered in a free pamphlet available at New Zealand consulates and Customs offices: New Zealand Customs Guide for Travellers, Notice no. 4. For more information, contact New Zealand Customs, The Customhouse, 17-21 Whitmore St., Box 2218, Wellington (tel. 04/473-6099 or 0800/428-786; www.customs.govt.nz).

Medical Requirements

There are no medical requirements for entering Hungary.

Note : This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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Latest update

Exercise normal safety precautions in Hungary.

Hungary (PDF 256.64 KB)

Europe (PDF 2.62 MB)

Local emergency contacts

Fire and rescue services, medical emergencies, advice levels.

• The Russian invasion of Ukraine is ongoing. The security situation continues to be volatile. Do not travel from Hungary to Ukraine. 
• Always be alert to terrorism. Terrorists have targeted European cities. They may target public recreation and entertainment areas, transport hubs, and places travellers visit. Take official warnings seriously.
• Petty crime, theft from vehicles and highway robberies can happen. Be careful on public transport, in tourist areas, petrol stations and highway parking areas. Use secure parking facilities.

Full travel advice: Safety

• Medical treatment is adequate, but many medical facilities are below Australian standards. Facilities are limited in rural and border areas. Doctors may expect up-front cash payment.
• Ticks are common in rural and forested areas from spring to autumn. Tick-borne encephalitis is a risk. After visiting forests, check your body for ticks. Remove ticks as soon as possible. Watch tick sites for signs of infection.

Full travel advice: Health

• Don't use or carry illegal drugs. Penalties include lengthy prison sentences and heavy fines for carrying even small amounts of drugs.
• Local authorities can ask to see your ID at any time. Always carry your passport. A photocopy won't be accepted.
• Smoking is banned in some places. Large fines apply.

Full travel advice: Local laws

• Hungary is part of the  Schengen area . This means that, in some cases, you can enter Hungary without a visa. Otherwise, you'll need to get a visa before you travel.
• Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. You should contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Hungary for the latest details.
• FFP2 face masks may be required in some settings. Observe signage and follow the directions of local authorities. 

Full travel advice: Travel

Local contacts

• The  Consular Services Charter  tells you what the Australian government can and can't do to help when you're overseas.
• The Australian  consulate in Budapest provides limited consular and passport services.
• You can access complete consular services from the  Australian Embassy in Vienna, Austria .
• Follow the Australian embassy's social media accounts to stay up to date with local information.

Full travel advice: Local contacts

Full advice

Border with ukraine.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is ongoing. Heavy fighting is occurring in parts of eastern and southern Ukraine. Missile strikes and attacks are ongoing in some locations across the country, including in major cities. The security situation continues to be volatile. Do not travel from Hungary to Ukraine. There's a risk to life.

If you've arrived in Hungary from Ukraine and require assistance, contact the Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135 in Australia or +61 2 6261 3305 outside Australia.

Petty crime

Petty crime occurs in Hungary, especially on public transport and in tourist areas.

Theft from vehicles and highway  robberies  also occur. Be wary of tactics persuading drivers to pull over. 

If you're travelling on overnight trains, keep your cabin locked. Never leave your bags unattended.

To protect yourself from crime:

• watch your belongings on trains, buses and taxis, especially at night
• don't go out alone after dark or to isolated places, especially on foot
• always keep your vehicle and accommodation locked
• be alert to suspicious behaviour
• leave a situation if you think there may be danger
• monitor local media for new safety risks
• be wary of offers of help from friendly strangers or taxi drivers
• use secure parking facilities
• be careful at petrol stations and highway parking areas, especially after dark
• keep your passport separate from your other ID.

Scams and fraud

Some clubs and restaurants overcharge. This is more common in the Pest business district of Budapest.

Always check the price of food and drinks before your order.

Be aware that:

• disputes about overcharging can lead to violence
• security guards may force you to pay
• taxi drivers and others may get a commission for taking you to these places

Be wary of drivers or friendly strangers who invite you to clubs.

More information:

There may be an elevated risk of assault or  sexual assault  where people gather to party. Take care in bars, nightclubs and at festivals. Be aware of drink spiking with the intention of sexual assault. Never accept food and drinks from strangers, and never leave your drink unattended.

Stick with people you trust when you go out. Don’t walk in isolated areas at night. 

Before you travel, read our advice on  reducing the risk of sexual assault . There's also  advice on what to do immediately after a sexual assault, reporting a sexual assault overseas and what counselling is available.

• Partying safely

Cyber security

You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you’re connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth. 

Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions, or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media. 

More information:  

Cyber security when travelling overseas  

While there have been no recent terrorist attacks in Hungary, they can still happen.

Terrorists have staged attacks in European cities in recent years. Targets include:

• public transport, including train stations
• government buildings, including schools
• places of worship
• public areas that attract large groups of people, such as tourist attractions, sporting venues and shopping centres.

European security services have stopped planned attacks.

To protect yourself from terrorism:

• always be aware of your surrounds
• take care near places known to be possible terrorist targets
• monitor the media for updates
• report suspicious behaviour
• alert police to unattended bags
• take official warnings seriously
• follow the advice of local authorities.

If there's an attack, leave the area as soon as it is safe. Avoid the affected area in case of secondary attacks.

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

Civil unrest and political tension

Public protests and events that draw large groups of people are usually peaceful but can turn violent. They can disrupt traffic and public transport.

Extremist groups have used national holidays to stage demonstrations. Be careful of protests around:

• 15 March — Revolution Day
• July – Budapest Pride march
• 20 August — St Stephen's Day
• 23 October — Republic Day

To stay safe:

• avoid all protests and demonstrations
• monitor local media
• follow the advice of local authorities
• Demonstrations and civil unrest

Natural disasters

Hungary experiences  severe weather,  including:

Flooding is common in the northeast region along the upper Tisza River and the Danube, particularly from March to May. 

During snowstorms, parts of the country may be isolated for days.

If there's a  natural disaster  or severe weather:

• check the media and other local sources for updates
• register with the  Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System  to receive alerts on major disasters.

Travel insurance

Get comprehensive  travel insurance  before you leave.

Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time, you'll be away (including if stopovers on the way to your destination are covered)

Physical and mental health

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition. 

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

If you have immediate concerns for your welfare or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your  nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate  to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.

• General health advice
• Healthy holiday tips  (Healthdirect Australia)

Medications

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Hungary. Take enough legal medication for your trip.

Carry a copy of your prescription and a dated letter from your doctor stating the following:

• what the medication is
• your required dosage
• that it's for personal use only

Health risks

Insect-borne diseases

Tick-borne encephalitis  is a risk in forested and rural areas. They're active from spring to autumn.

To reduce your risk of tick-borne disease:

• check your body for ticks during and after visiting forests
• remove ticks as soon as possible, making sure to remove the whole tick
• monitor the tick site for signs of infection

Cases of  West Nile virus (WNV)  have also occurred throughout Hungary. There's no vaccine to prevent it.

To protect yourself from disease:

• use insect repellent
• wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing
• check your accommodation is insect-proof

Check your body for ticks during and after visiting forests. Remove any whole ticks as soon as possible. Watch any tick sites for signs of infection.

COVID−19  remains a risk in Hungary.

• Infectious diseases

Medical care

Medical facilities.

Medical treatment is adequate, but hospitals vary in quality. Many medical facilities are below the standard of Australia. They have limited nursing care. Friends and relatives are often required to give around-the-clock care.

You're expected to bring basic necessities, including hygiene items, cutlery and bottled water. Medical facilities can be limited in rural and border areas.

There's no private in-patient hospital facility in Budapest.

Some doctors speak English, but it's not widely spoken by other hospital staff.

Doctors and public hospitals may expect up-front cash payment for services. Medical care can be very expensive. Make sure you have travel insurance before you arrive. 

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter . But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Don't use or carry illegal drugs. Penalties for drug offences are severe. Possessing even small amounts of illegal drugs can lead to prison sentences. This includes marijuana.

• Carrying or using drugs

Local authorities can ask to see your identification at any time. Carry your passport at all times. A photocopy won't be accepted.

Smoking is banned:

• on all public transport and at transport stops in Budapest
• within 5m of entrances to education buildings
• in restaurants, bars and cafes

Large fines apply.

• Heavy fines exist for minor driving infringements. Penalties for serious driving offences include prison.

Australian laws

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

Staying within the law and respecting customs

Dual citizenship

Hungary recognises dual nationality.

You may have to do military service in rare situations like a state of emergency. This applies if you're:

• a dual national
• aged between 18 and 40

Get advice from your nearest  embassy or consulate  of Hungary before you travel.

• Dual nationals

Local customs

LGBTI travellers

Same-sex relationships are legal in Hungary, and laws prohibit sexual discrimination. However, homosexuality isn't widely accepted. 

Harassment and violence against LGBTI people have occurred.

More information :

• Advice for LGBTI t ravellers

Visas and border measures

Every country or territory decides who can enter or leave through its borders. For specific information about the evidence you'll need to enter a foreign destination, check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination you're entering. 

Visitor visas

Make sure you meet all entry and exit conditions. If you don't, the Australian Government can't help you.

Hungary is part of the  Schengen area  with many other European countries. This means that, in some cases, you can enter Hungary without a visa.

Otherwise, you'll need to get a visa before you travel.

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest  embassy  or  consulate  of Hungary for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.

Entry into Hungary

Entry restrictions may change at short notice. Information and updates can be found on the  Hungarian government website .

Land borders are open and operating normally. For more information regarding flights to and from Hungary, refer to the  Budapest airport  website.

Hungary has strengthened border controls, particularly with the following countries:

Expect delays.

Carry your passport when crossing borders, even within the  Schengen area . 

Keep up to date on border conditions. Check local news sources and ask transport providers.

Ensure you get a clear entry stamp in your passport when entering the Schengen Area for the first time. 

You won't be allowed to enter if you have failed to pay a fine issued in Hungary. Contact the nearest  embassy  or  consulate  of Hungary for advice on paying fines before you travel.

• Entry requirements
• Hungarian police and border crossings  (in English)

Departure from Hungary

Refer to the relevant  travel advisory  of neighbouring countries for departure and entry information for that country. For more information regarding flights to and from Hungary, refer to the  Budapest airport  website.

Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid long enough, consider getting  a new passport .

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. 

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always carry it with you.  

If your passport is lost or stolen, you must tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

• In Australia, contact the  Australian Passport Information Service .
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest  Australian embassy or consulate .

Get a local police report if your passport is stolen. Seek a 'letter of facilitation' from the Canadian Embassy in Budapest and take the letter to the Australian Embassy in Vienna, where you can arrange a replacement passport. See  Local contacts

Passport with 'X' gender identifier 

Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can't guarantee that a passport showing an 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest  embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination  before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers. 

• LGBTI travellers  

The currency of Hungary is the Forint (HUF).

Euros may be accepted in major cities, and payment by card is widely accepted.

Most banks have ATMs that accept major international cards.

Check all banknotes you receive are valid. Some outdated notes are still in circulation.

Declare funds of more than 10,000 euros or equivalent if you're travelling between Hungary and a non-EU country. This covers all forms of currency, not just cash. Failure to do so will result in fines.

• EU cash controls

Local travel

Local restrictions.

All COVID-19 measures have been lifted, except for FFP2 face masks which are required in some settings. Observe signage and follow the directions of local authorities. 

Driving permit

You can drive on your Australian driver's licence for 1 year if you also have either: 

• a Hungarian translation of your licence
• an International Driving Permit (IDP)

Get your IDP before your travel.

• Use of foreign licences in Hungary

Road travel

Highways are usually in good condition.

Driving in rural areas can be dangerous due to poor road maintenance and lighting.

Snow tyres are not mandatory in winter but check with your insurer.

You must always keep car headlights on when driving outside of towns.

If driving on motorways, you must purchase a Vignette to pay for tolls beforehand. You can buy these at petrol stations, post offices, and online. If buying an e-vignette, keep proof of purchase. 

Frequent automatic vignette checks occur. You'll be fined if you don't have one.

Driving with a blood alcohol reading above 0% is a severe offence. Police can take licences away from drivers under the influence of alcohol. Other penalties can also be imposed, including jail time.

Heavy fines exist for minor traffic offences. 

Penalties for serious offences include jail. Fines for traffic violations must be paid at a post office. 

Police can keep your passport if you dispute a driving fine or offence. They will issue a receipt and a letter asking you to report to a police station. The passport will be returned once the dispute is settled.

• Driving or riding

Motorcycles

Check with your travel insurer that your policy covers you for riding a motorbike, quad bike or similar.

Always wear a helmet.

Some taxi drivers get commissions to take passengers to bars, clubs and restaurants. 

Never ask a taxi driver to recommend a bar, club or restaurant. Call a dispatcher instead of hailing one on the street. 

Check the meter is running and the charge is correct. If you think you have been overcharged, ask for a receipt and contact the taxi company. 

Public transport

You'll be fined if you travel on public transport without a ticket.

To avoid a fine:

• follow all passenger notices (usually printed in English)
• validate your ticket before starting your journey
• keep your ticket until the end of your journey
• show your ticket to inspectors if asked
• Budapest Transport Authority
• Hungarian State Railways (Hungarian)
• Transport and getting around safely

River cruises

If you plan to join a Danube river cruise, read:

• general health advice
• travelling by boat

Make sure you consider border crossings and travel with your passport.

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check  Hungary's air safety profile  with the Aviation Safety Network.

Emergencies

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider

Always get a police report when reporting a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Call 438 8080 for a 24-hour tourist helpline for crime victims, run by the Hungarian National Tourist Office .

Consular contacts

Read the  Consular Services Charter  for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

Australia has a consulate in Budapest headed by an Honorary Consul. The office provides some consular assistance but can't issue emergency passports or perform notarial acts.

Get in contact before you visit.

Australian Consulate, Budapest

Eötvös Loránd University

Múzeum Körút 4/a

1088 Budapest, Hungary

Email:  [email protected]

You can access full consular and passport services from the Australian embassy in Vienna, Austria.

Australian Embassy Vienna

The Icon, Gertrude-Fröhlich-Sandner-Str. 2

A1100 Vienna, Austria

Phone: +43 1 506 740

Email:  [email protected]

Website:  austria.embassy.gov.au

X:  @AusAmbVIE

Facebook:  @AusEmbassyVie

Check the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia

Travelling to Hungary?

Sign up to get the latest travel advice updates..

Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.

Local time Budapest

Introducing Budapest

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Travel to budapest, hungary information.

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Book your flights

• Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport

Flying to Budapest

Airlines offering flights to Budapest from the UK include British Airways, easyJet, LOT, Ryanair and Wizz Air. You can find cheaper flights in spring, with March, April and May typically the most wallet-friendly times to travel. If booked in advance, June can be inexpensive too. With short breaks to Budapest becoming increasingly popular, weekend travel is best avoided if you're on a budget.

Flight times

From London - 2 hours 25 minutes; New York - 11 hours (including stopover); Los Angeles - 13 hours 30 minutes (including stopover); Toronto - 10 hours (including stopover); Sydney - 24 hours (including stopover).

Travel by road

The quality of roads in Budapest is generally good. Traffic drives on the right and the minimum driving age is 17 years. Speed limits are 130kph (80mph) on motorways, 90kph (55mph) on main roads and 50kph (31mph) in built-up areas.

The pink format EU driving licence is accepted, but an International Driving Permit (IDP) is appreciated if you have an older, green UK licence or if you hold a licence from outside the EU. A car registration document, country sticker and third-party liability insurance are compulsory.

Motorway e-vignettes (passes) are required for certain expressways in Hungary, including the M1, M3 and M7. On-the-spot fines are issued for those who travel without one. You must buy these in advance from  www.toll-charge.hu .

The Hungarian Automobile Club, Magyar Autóklub (tel: +36 1 345 1800; www.autoklub.hu ), has reciprocal agreements with many automobile associations and provides a 24-hour breakdown service.

Emergency breakdown services

Magyar Autóklub (tel: 188, in Hungary only).

Hungary has eight main routes, seven of which start from Budapest. Approaching Budapest, the two main highways are the M1 from Györ and Vienna, and the M7 along Lake Balaton. The A4 from Vienna leads to the Austro/Hungarian frontier at Hegyeshalom, where the M1 continues onto Budapest. The M3 connects Budapest with eastern Hungary. Warsaw is reachable on the E77.

Volánbusz (tel: +36 1 382 0888; www.volanbusz.hu ) operates international services to several countries in Europe, including the UK. International buses leave from Népliget coach station, IX Üllöi út 131.

Volánbusz also operates domestic services to Hungarian towns and resorts. Services to the southwest of the country leave from Népliget coach station, while coaches to the east of Hungary are from Stadion coach station, Hungária körút 48-52. Routes to the Danube Bend depart from Árpád híd coach station, Árboc utca 1-3.

Széna tér coach station, Széna tér, runs routes to the Zsámbéki basin region, while lines to Biatorbágy, Érd, Százhalombatta and surrounding areas leave from Etele tér coach station, Etele tér.

Time to city

From Prague - 5 hours; Vienna - 2 hours 30 minutes; Warsaw - 8 hours 30 minutes.

Travel by Rail

Rail services from Budapest are relatively clean and modern. IC (InterCity) routes have first-class ( elso osztály ) carriages and restaurant carts.

There are three, large international railway stations in Budapest: Keleti (eastern station), on VIII Baross tér, Nyugati (western station) at VI Nyugati tér, and Déli (southern station) located at I Krisztina körút. Keleti is the principal terminus for international rail services from Western Europe and Nyugati is the main terminus for trains heading to Eastern Europe.

Direct rail links connect Budapest to plenty of other European cities including Belgrade, Berlin, Bucharest, Krakow, Munich, Prague, Salzburg, Vienna, Warsaw and Zagreb.

Trains are run by Hungarian State Railways (MÁV) (tel: 06 40 494 949, in Hungary only or +36 1 444 4499; www.mav.hu ) and reservations are compulsory on IC and IP (InterPici) routes. EC (EuroCity) trains serve domestic destinations and reservations on these are optional.

You can buy tickets for all journeys online at the MÁV website or in person at any of the city’s railway stations. Alternatively, there are a number of outlets selling train tickets around the city. Check the MÁV website for a full list of ticket offices. Reservations for international journeys should be purchased 24 to 36 hours in advance and picked up at the railway station's ticket collection point.

Journey times

From Debrecen - 2 hours 35 minutes; Szeged - 2 hours 25 minutes; Belgrade - 8 hours; Berlin - 11 hours 50 minutes; Vienna - 2 hours 35 minutes.

Travel by boat

From mid-May to September, a hydrofoil ferry connects Budapest and Vienna, Austria. Ferries run three times a week each way.

Ferry operators

Boats, which are run by MAHART PassNave (tel: +36 1 484 4013; www.mahartpassnave.hu ), dock at the International Landing Stage (Nemzetközi hajóállomás), V Belgrád rakpart, in the heart of the city. The journey takes 6 hours 30 minutes from Budapest to Vienna and 5 hours 30 minutes in the opposite direction.

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City Highlight: Budapest

Soak in soothing thermal baths or cruise under the Danube’s many magnificent bridges on a Hungarian holiday in Budapest

Book Accommodation

Featured hotels, continental hotel zara.

With 272 rooms to pick from, the Continental Hotel Zara isn't shy on size. Between the tall windows and chic, chocolate-coloured design of the sleeping quarters, it doesn't lack style either. All rooms have satellite TVs, soundproof windows and air-conditioning, with Continental Suites and Executive Rooms available for the extra extravagant explorer. The hotel's lavish restaurant and cool little café are worth checking out too, or swap both for a chilled beer on its rooftop garden. Its wellness centre should help with any hangovers or well-travelled legs.

Hotel Palazzo Zichy

Originally built as the residence of Count Nándor Zichy, a 19th century nobleman, the hotel that shares his surname now has ample space for 80, well-proportioned rooms. Held in Pest's palace quarter, the modern simplistic style of the bedrooms has everything the modern traveller could desire from satellite TV and soundproof windows to internet access and large, laptop-sized safes. The hotel also has a gym, sauna and concierge service.

Sofitel Budapest Chain Bridge

With unparalleled panoramas across the mighty Danube, the Sofitel Budapest Chain Bridge is a hotel that's all about the details. While location may be its first selling point, through its doors it offers a terrace bar, chintzy cocktails and a tinkling pianist in the Bibliotek Lounge. The centrally-located spot also has a serene spa and gives visitors the choice of 301 soft linen sleeping chambers with marble bath tubs, flatscreen TVs and free Wi-Fi in most rooms.

Hotel Parliament

As new boutique hotels carry on cropping up around the Hungarian capital city, the minimal décor of Hotel Parliament continues to stand out. With 64 double rooms to decide on, each comes with air-conditioning, soundproof windows, Wi-Fi and satellite TV. Its lobby, wellness retreat and onsite Htel Bar are more modern in design with their sharply-coloured sofas, chandeliers and sleek simplicity, while its Parliament Suite is suited to those on longer sojourns.

Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace

Many hotels use the 'palace' moniker without justification, but not the Gresham. Built in 1906, this architectural delight is a masterpiece of art nouveau design, both inside and out. Many of the fittings, including Zsolany ceramics and a stained glass window by Miksa Róth, are original, while the rest were lovingly restored in 2004 when the palace received a glorious makeover. The Gresham has all the trappings of a 5-star Budapest hotel, including a fitness and wellness centre.

Mercure Budapest Korona Hotel

A relaxed saunter from Budapest's pedestrianised shopping area between Váci and Ráday street, the 4-star Mercure Budapest Korona Hotel has all the touches of comfort and quality expected from a chain of this stature. Generous-sized rooms come with air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, satellite TV and tea and coffee making facilities, while a heated indoor swimming pool, sauna and masseuses are available too.

© Columbus Travel Media Ltd. All rights reserved 2024

Embassy of Switzerland in Hungary

Switzerland and Hungary

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• Representations

Information on Coronavirus / Covid-19

All information for reference only.

Regulations for entry into Switzerland from February 17, 2022

Note : With the Travelcheck you can easily check whether and under which conditions you are allowed to enter Switzerland.

Please note: The Travelcheck is for information purposes only and cannot be used as a confirmation of entry into Switzerland. Your details will not be stored. Health-related measures for persons entering Switzerland are being lifted from 17 February 2022. When entering Switzerland, there is no obligation to present a valid certificate, proof of recovery, a negative COVID-19 test or an entry form. Nonetheless, it is only necessary to wear a mask in medical settings.

Further exceptions and more detailed information regarding the entry of Switzerland can be found on the  FOPH's website .

Infoline for persons entering Switzerland : +41 58 464 44 88 (daily 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.)

The FDFA has no authority to issue instructions to air carriers on matters concerning the access of passengers to the aircraft. Please note, that according to the business policies of some airlines, a valid certificate or negative COVID-19 test before boarding an aircraft as well the obligation to wear a mask during the flight could be necessary. We advise you to consult directly with the respective airline.

Covid-19 situation in Hungary

The Hungarian government declared a national state of emergency on 4 November 2020 due to the Covid-19 situation, which was extended until 1 June 2022. Due to the Russian military attack on Ukraine, the Hungarian government has issued a new state of emergency from 1 June 2022. Among other things, this authorizes the government to carry out more security checks.  

Entry requirements for Hungary from 7 March 2022

As of March 7th, the Hungarian government has lifted all entry restrictions that were previously in force.

Obligation to wear a mask

As of March 7th, the mask obligation applies only in the medical environment.

Last modification: 25.07.2022

As the official representation of Switzerland, the Embassy covers all matters concerning diplomatic relations between the two countries. It represents Swiss interests in the areas of political, economic, financial and legal affairs, as well as science, education and culture.

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All consular services and visa issues are provided by the Regional Consular Centre in Vienna/Austria.

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Start of page Last update 16.08.2022

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Thank you for your help

For the time being (but strictly for the time being), there is no control at the Hungarian/Slovenian border section along highway M7. Been there quite a few times and go to Ljubljana on Friday again. same thing at the Slovenian/Italian border section.

Enter the country from where ?

No limitations whatsoever that tourists could possibly notice. No border checks on the Slovene border, no mask mandate even indoors, not required to show proof of vaccination anywhere.

Hello, I've one quick question on topic enter Hungary and Covid restrictions, I've looked everywhere but info aren't clear at all :(

Kosszonom/Thank you/grazie

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g274881-i262-k13691025-UK_Travellers_please_read_before_posting-Hungary.html

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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Fearing for Ukraine if Trump Returns, Some in Europe Try Outreach Now

A gathering of officials from Lithuania and Ukraine and supporters of Donald J. Trump highlights growing efforts to get on the good side of the former U.S. president in case he is elected again.

• Share full article

By Andrew Higgins and Tomas Dapkus

Reporting from Vilnius, Lithuania

As many in Europe worry about the possibility of a second presidency for Donald J. Trump that they fear could bring an end to U.S. support for Ukraine, some of Russia’s most fervent foes are taking a different tack: making nice with the Trump camp.

To that end, the governing party of Lithuania, a steadfast supporter of Ukraine, last month organized meetings between Ukrainians, Baltic politicians who want increases in military spending to counter Russia, and a group of former Trump administration officials. Also attending were members of pro-Trump groups like the Heritage Foundation, an influential conservative group skeptical about helping Ukraine.

Leading the participants from Ukraine was Oleksandr Merezhko, the chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament’s foreign affairs committee and an ally of President Volodymyr Zelensky. Reaching out to the Trump camp, he said, was simply a recognition of Ukraine’s perilous vulnerability to the shifting sands of American politics.

“When we are fighting for our survival, we can’t afford to antagonize either Biden or Trump,” Mr. Merezhko said. “If we place the wrong bet, we risk losing our country.”

Mr. Trump has not detailed his plans for Ukraine if he is re-elected, but many of his supporters are strongly opposed to helping the country in its battle against Russia.

The outreach effort, according to Mr. Merezhko and other participants, featured discussions about what a second Trump administration could mean for Ukraine and NATO’s future.

One supporter of Mr. Trump wanted to know why U.S. taxpayers should pay for Ukraine’s war, they said. Those in favor of assistance urged Ukraine and its Baltic backers to frame their pitch for aid against Russia in economic terms that would appeal to Mr. Trump’s transactional approach to foreign policy.

“Helping Ukraine gives jobs to Americans,” Mr. Merezhko said he told experts at the meeting from the Heritage Foundation and the America First Policy Institute, another Trump-aligned think tank in Washington.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington has estimated that around 60 percent of $113 billion that Congress has approved to help Ukraine would be spent in the United States on American-made weapons and U.S. military personnel.

Zygimantas Pavilionis, a Lithuanian legislator who organized the meeting, said that instead of confronting Mr. Trump and his base, Ukraine and its supporters should befriend them and explain that “there is a huge American interest in the fight” against Russia.

Since Mr. Trump won the Iowa caucus in January, however, many European leaders and politicians have struggled to come to terms with the prospects of another Trump presidency.

Alicia Kearns, a Conservative member of the British Parliament and chairwoman of its foreign affairs committee, described as “completely mind-blowing ” the possibility that U.S. voters might re-elect a man she labeled a sexual abuser and an indicted criminal defendant.

But she, too, has reached out to the Heritage Foundation, joining a group of European legislators for a visit to the organization’s offices in Washington this year. Ms. Kearns did not respond to requests for comment. Earlier this month, Britain’s foreign secretary, David Cameron, met with Mr. Trump himself.

And on Wednesday, President Andrzej Duda of Poland, a robust supporter of Ukraine, met the former president in New York to talk about NATO and Russia’s invasion. Mr. Duda’s chief of staff described their conversation as “excellent.” Mr. Trump, who during his presidency had very good relations with the right-wing Polish president, said he was “behind Poland all the way.”

In contrast, Mr. Trump’s relations with Mr. Zelensky have been shadowed by the former president’s anger over his 2019 impeachment , focused on accusations that he used American military aid to pressure Ukraine into investigating Mr. Biden and his son, Hunter.

Alarm over Mr. Trump’s return has been most acute in Eastern European countries that fear his movement’s drift away from the foreign policies of Ronald Reagan. Mr. Reagan is lauded in the formerly communist east for what many see as his role in bringing down the Soviet Union.

Donald Tusk, Poland’s centrist prime minister, who is a bitter political rival of President Duda, voiced angry dismay in February when pro-Trump Republicans in Congress blocked a $60.1 billion aid package for Ukraine. “Shame on you,” Mr. Tusk said. “Ronald Reagan must be turning in his grave today.”

The only leader in the region openly cheering for a Trump victory and an end to support for Ukraine is Viktor Orban, the prime minister of Hungary.

After meeting the former president in February, Mr. Orban claimed that Mr. Trump told him he “will not give a penny” to Ukraine should he win in November. But it’s unclear whether Mr. Trump really said this or, as many suspect, Mr. Orban was projecting his own views onto the former president. Mr. Trump’s spokespeople are not saying.

Robert Wilkie, a participant at the Vilnius meetings who served as Mr. Trump’s secretary for veterans affairs, played down Mr. Orban’s comments. “Just look at Trump’s track record,” he said. “Ukrainians got weapons when he was president and Putin stayed on his side of the border.”

Instead of panicking, Mr. Wilkie added, Ukraine and its supporters “should make the case that they are on the front line against one of the three powers on the planet that are very open about displacing and, if need be, destroying the United States.” These, he said, are Russia, Iran and China.

Kurt Volker, the United States’ special representative for Ukraine in the Trump presidency, said he, too, doubted Mr. Orban’s account.

“My advice to all my European friends is that when it comes to the possibility of Trump getting re-elected, don’t make any assumptions about what his policy is going to be,” Mr. Volker said in an interview during a recent swing through Eastern Europe.

Avoiding assumptions about Mr. Trump’s plans for Ukraine, he said, is especially important for those in Europe who, unlike Mr. Orban, are appalled by the prospect of the former president’s returning. “If you don’t like Trump because of his personality and complain about him publicly, you are just setting the table for disaster,” Mr. Volker added.

A belief that Mr. Trump and his allies can be swayed over Ukraine underpinned the March gathering in Vilnius.

Mr. Pavilionis, the organizer, said that while “Trump is a bit crazy and you never know how he will react,” his return to the White House could turn out better for Ukraine than many expect.

Mr. Pavilionis said he was astonished during a visit to Washington in January by the isolationist mood in Mr. Trump’s movement. But, he added, as president Mr. Trump “was much better for our region than Obama,” who rejected sending weapons to Ukraine after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. Mr. Trump reversed that policy and sent Javelin antitank missiles. He also increased the U.S. military presence on NATO’s eastern flank.

Instead of fretting over Mr. Trump’s campaign promise to end the war in Ukraine “within 24 hours,” Mr. Pavilionis said, Ukraine and its allies need to understand that Republicans are far more concerned with containing China and Iran than saving Ukraine or fortifying NATO.

That, he said, has made it imperative that Ukraine and its European backers build bridges with the Trump camp and present it with a simple argument: “Stop Russia and you stop China and Iran,” he said.

The same pitch has also been made by NATO’s secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg. In January, he paid a visit to the Heritage Foundation, whose mission, according to its president Kevin. D. Roberts, is “institutionalizing Trumpism.”

“Ukraine must prevail,” Mr. Stoltenberg said, framing the war in the context of China, whose challenge to American power is Mr. Trump’s main foreign policy preoccupation. “China,” Mr. Stoltenberg said, “is watching closely” what happens in Ukraine.

“China, Russia, Iran and North Korea are increasingly aligned,” he said, arguing that “while China is the most serious long-term challenge, Russia is the most immediate one.”

Before Mr. Stoltenberg spoke, however, Mr. Roberts made clear that Ukraine could be a hard sell. “Heritage will not now nor ever support putting a foreign nation’s border ahead of our own,” he said.

But others at Heritage are rooting for Ukraine against Russia, as are some Trump-aligned experts at the America First Policy Institute, like Mr. Wilkie.

“American first does not mean America alone,” Mr. Wilkie said. The Baltic States and other supporters of Ukraine, he added, have nothing to fear from a second Trump presidency.

“The fact is that we had peace in that part of the world for four years but then he left office and everything exploded,” Mr. Wilkie said. “That is not a coincidence.”

Andrew Higgins is the East and Central Europe bureau chief for The Times based in Warsaw. He covers a region that stretches from the Baltic republics of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to Kosovo, Serbia and other parts of former Yugoslavia. More about Andrew Higgins

Our Coverage of the War in Ukraine

News and Analysis

At least 17 people were killed and scores more injured when three Russian missiles struck a busy downtown district of Chernihiv , north of Kyiv, Ukrainian officials said.

The top American military commander in Europe warned that Ukraine could lose the war with Russia  if the United States did not send more ammunition to Ukrainian forces, and fast.

Ukrainian lawmakers passed a mobilization law aimed at replenishing the nation’s exhausted and depleted fighting forces .

Eastern Europe Tries Outreach: As many in Europe worry about the possibility of a second presidency for Donald Trump that they fear could bring an end to U.S. support for Ukraine, some of Russia’s most fervent foes are taking a different tack : making nice with the Trump camp.

A U.S. Lawmaker Speaks Out : Representative Chuck Edwards, a Republican from North Carolina, has emerged as a vocal proponent of U.S. aid to Ukraine in a party that has grown hostile to it. He discussed his recent trip there  in a Q. and A.

Hollowing Out a Generation: Ukraine desperately needs new recruits, but it is running up against a critical demographic constraint long in the making: It has very few young men .

How We Verify Our Reporting

Our team of visual journalists analyzes satellite images, photographs , videos and radio transmissions  to independently confirm troop movements and other details.

We monitor and authenticate reports on social media, corroborating these with eyewitness accounts and interviews. Read more about our reporting efforts .

Somerville poets celebrate art and community; Newburyport Literary Festival takes place April 27-28; and more

A weekly digest of literary news and events from around the region.

Somerville poets celebrate art and community

As poet laureate of Somerville, Lloyd Schwartz once organized a reading in which Somerville citizens read a poem that was important in their lives. He had plans for another one as well, an event featuring poets who live in Somerville. The pandemic postponed it, but now, four years later, the bounty of Somerville’s poetry scene will finally be on full display. “Meet Our Poets: Somerville Poets Reading Their Own Poems and Poems They Love” brings over 30 poets to the Armory stage, the largest gathering of Somerville poets to date. Poets include: Jennifer Badot, Simeon Berry, David Blair, Zack Bond, Elizabeth Callahan, Parama Chattopadhyay, Jennifer Clarvoe, Linda Conte, Linda Haviland Conte, Donna Donna, Gary Duehr, Kirk Etherton, Michael Franco, Bridget Seley Galway, Seth Garcia, Doug Holder, Katherine Hollander, Lucy Holstedt, Tanya Larkin, Gloria Mindock, Tam Lin Neville, Pat Peterson, Denise Provost, Andrea Read, Hilary Sallick, Lloyd Schwartz, Michael Steffen, Janaka Stucky, Patrick Sylvain, Gilmore Tamny, Christie Towers, Anna Warrock, and Dan Wuenschel. “Meet Our Poets” takes place on Sunday, April 28 at 5:30 p.m. at the Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave., in Somerville. Admission is free.

New photo collection features hot springs from around the world

Maine-based photographer Greta Rybus had an outdoorsy bent to her growing up, vigorous and movement oriented: biking, hiking, kayaking, backpacking. Family adventures to hot springs “were my first experiences in nature where we did nothing but rest,” she notes in her lush and seductive new book of photographs. “Hot Springs: Photos and Stories of How the World Soaks, Swims, and Slows Down” (10 Speed) is a global tour of these natural baths. The collection, with images from the Azores, Uunartoq, Sajama, Nagano, Bormio, Budapest, Grettislaug, Grutas Tolantongo, and elsewheres all over, shows the variety of form and use of hot springs. In Bolivia, sunset brick-colored hills rise above the pools; jagged black rocks enclose the wild slosh of a spring in the Azores; people perch on buckets on tile floors in Japan and wash before entering the water. Soaking “removes pretenses and distractions,” Rybus writes. Some springs have an atmosphere of party, others of prayer. Here, a hole; there, a temple. And everywhere, Rybus distills the elemental forces at play: water mingling with magma, flowing against hot rocks, pressure building and spilling, creating, in these cases, environments just right for the human body to slip into, soak, and, for a while, dissolve into a warm pocket of the earth’s right now.

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Newburyport Literary Festival to be held April 27-28

The Newburyport Literary Festival unfolds next weekend with a lively slate of readings, discussions, and book-related revelry. On Saturday, April 27, Julia Glass talks “Vigil Harbor” with former Globe books editor Kate Tuttle; Ryan Walsh will talk with Ed Park about “Assassins, Mad Poets, and Pop Bands, Oh My! Humor and Danger in an Alternate Reality”; Pulitzer winner Michael Cunningham will discuss his pandemic book “Day”; Novuyo Rosa Tshuma discusses “Colonialism, Racism, and the Cosmos”; your correspondent will discuss celebrating the seasons with Black Sparrow editor Joshua Bodwell; poets Anna V.Q. Ross, Charles Coe, January Gill O’Neil, Rhina P. Espaillat, Cynthia Manick, Marcia Karp, Andrea Cohen, and Matt Miller will read from their work across the day; Sam Szabo will discuss “Enlightened Transsexual Comix”; Andre Dubus III will discuss “Ghost Dogs,” his new book of essays; and Kate Bolick will host a series of conversations with Nicholson Baker, Lucy Sante, Oline Eaton, and Annie Weatherwax; plus a history of Rounder Records with Ken Irwin, Marian Levy, and David Menconi. More workshops, tours, and panels follow on Sunday, April 28. For more information and a complete schedule, visit newburyportliteraryfestival.org .

“Prairie, Dresses, Art, Other” by Danielle Dutton (Coffee House)

“Reboot” by Justin Taylor (Pantheon)

“I Just Keep Talking: A Life in Essays” by Nell Irvin Painter (Doubleday)

Pick of the week

Meghan Hayden of River Bend Bookshop in Glastonbury, Conn., recommends “The Way I Say It” by Nancy Tandon (Charlesbridge): “This incredible debut centers on a character whose speech impediment makes it difficult to pronounce his own name. Drawing on the author’s profession, this moving exploration of what it means to hear your name in the world is a must read!”