Hungary

Last updated: 27 March 2013

Current at: 18 May 2013

We encourage citizens travelling to this destination to register their contact details here.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

The Department of Foreign Affairs strongly recommends that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance which will cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation, before travelling to Hungary. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.

Irish Citizens should note that the Irish Government does not provide funds for emergency medical repatriation or for repatriation of remains.

You should also obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) free of charge which entitles you to emergency medical treatment. This card is NOT a substitute for travel insurance. The EHIC replaces the Form E111, which is no longer valid. For Irish citizens please check the following website for information on European Union Health Insurance Card:
www.erha.ie
www.ehic.ie

Summary

Hungary (in Hungarian: Magyarország) is a republic. It is a landlocked country in the Carpathian Basin of Central Europe and has borders with Austria, the Slovak Republic, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, and Slovenia. Its capital is Budapest.

Hungary has been a member state of the European Union since 1st May 2004. It held the EU Presidency in the first half of 2011.
Area: 93,030 square km
Population: 10,000,000
Climate: Continental with Mediterranean and Atlantic influences
Average temperatures: January -2C (28F), July 23C (73F)
Language: Hungarian (Finno-ugric group of languages)
Currency: Hungarian Forint - HUF
Religion: Roman Catholic (majority), Protestant, Jewish
Local time: GMT+1 hour,
Public holidays: January 1, March 15, May 1, August 20, October 23, December 25, 26
International country phone code: 36

Safety and Security

Most visits to Hungary are trouble-free. You are advised to take normal, sensible precautions to avoid mugging, bag snatching and pick pocketing. More caution advised during Festivals and when participating in night life.

Security tips for tourist:

www.safetyinhungary.info

Aviation
Budapest Airport is the major airport for the country and complies with all local and international regulations concerning aviation security and safety.

http://www.bud.hu/english/passengers/before_flight/security/?article_hid=337

Central Police Office /Public duty office

National Police Headquarters
1139 Budapest, Teve u. 4-6.
Postal address: 1903 Budapest, Pf.: 314/15
Phone: 36-1 443-5500
Web: www.police.hu

Emergency number in case of crime or an accident:112
Fire Department for Emergencies:105
Ambulance:104

Health
Before travelling to Hungary, you should seek medical advice about inoculations to prevent tick-related medical problems (such as tick-borne encephalitis), particularly if you expect to be visiting lakes or wooded areas.

English Speaking Professionals:
You may need to contact an English speaking lawyer or doctor during your time in Hungary. For your convenience the Embassy has drawn up a list of English speaking professionals which you may find useful. Of course, inclusion on these lists should not taken as recommendation by the Embassy.

24 hour medical services:
In Buda: II dstr. Ganz str. 13.
Tel: 202-1370
XII. dstr. Diósárok u. 1-3.
Tel: 06-30-2000-100
In Pest: V. Dstr. Semmelweis u.14.
Tel: 00-36-1-311- 6816

After hours pediatric care:
In Buda: Henger u. 1.
Tel: 00-36-1-212- 5979
In Pest: Gyöngyössi u. 29.
Tel: 00-36-1-320- 8403
Bethesda u.3.
Tel: 00-36-1-384-5150

24 hour pharmacies:
In Buda:
XII. Dstr. Alkotás út 1/b.
Tel: 00-36-1-355-4691
In Pest:
V.dstr. Teréz krt. 41.
Tel: 00-36-1-311-4439
Dental Services: http://www.budapest-tourist-guide.com/budapest-dentist.html

Local Laws and Customs

Entry requirements

Holders of valid Irish passport are granted, under bilateral agreements, visa-free travel to Hungary on condition that their visit does not exceed the period of 90 days.
For a stay exceeding that period residence permit is required, see for more:
http://www.bevandorlas.hu/ugyintezes_eljarasrend.php

Regional offices of the Immigration and Citizenship Bureau:
1117 Budapest, Budafoki ut 60.
Tel:00-336-436-9233
http://www.bevandorlas.hu/teruleti_szervek.php

You should be aware that while you are in Hungary, you are legally obliged to carry your passport with you at all times. You are also advised to keep a photocopy of the identification page of your passport in a secure place in case of loss of passport. Please be advised that a driving license is not a travel document. Hungarian laws on the possession and use of drugs are strict.

Drivers

There is zero alcohol tolerance in Hungary when driving.
Please note that it is compulsory to carry our passport, international driving license, (green card)and third party insurance with you when driving.
The use of headlights is compulsory on roads outside towns even in daytime.

Legal Advice: www.jogiforum.hu

Entry Requirements for Pets
http://www.expatfocus.com/expatriate-hungary-pets
http://www.pettravel.com/immigration/hungary.cfm

Natural Disasters and Climate

Hungary has a continental climate with hot summers with low overall humidity levels but frequent rainshowers and mildly cold snowy winters. Average annual temperature is 9.7 °C (49.5 °F). Temperature extremes are about 41.9 °C (107.4 °F) on 20 July 2007 at Kiskunhalas in the summer and −35 °C (−31.0 °F) on 16 February 1940 Miskolc-Görömbölytapolca in the winter. Average high temperature in the summer is 23 °C (73.4 °F) to 28 °C (82 °F) and average low temperature in the winter is −3 °C (27 °F) to −7 °C (19 °F). The average yearly rainfall is approximately 600 mm (23.6 in). A small, southern region of the country near Pécs enjoys a reputation for a Mediterranean climate, but in reality it is only slightly warmer than the rest of the country and still receives snow during the winter.
Hungary is situated in a very safe geographical area. Therefore it is unlikely that visitors will experience any national disasters. It is likely that the most visitors will experience is a rare thunder storm during summer and occasional floods at river areas at spring time.