Hungary has implemented a number of measures in connection with the coronavirus (covid-19). For more information about coronavirus, see the section Health.
Safety
Hungary is a safe country to travel to and to stay in. The danger of terror is no greater than in Norway. Common caution should be exercised, and necessary precautions should be taken against pickpockets and other forms of everyday crime that may occur in large cities and foreign countries. According to countryaah, Hungary is one of countries starting with letter H.
Passports must always be carried in order to identify themselves when traveling to and during stays in Hungary. For Norwegians, the passport is the only internationally valid travel document.
It is recommended that all travelers take out their own travel and health insurance. Always remember to bring the blue European health insurance card.
As a tourist, you can be exposed to pocket thefts, especially where there is congestion such as public communications and night spots. It is important to be aware of where to store valuables such as money, passports, cell phones, etc. The hotel’s safe should be used. Crime is generally roughly on a par with other European countries. Nevertheless, general vigilance and caution in presenting a lot of cash is recommended. Caution should be exercised, especially in Budapest, also in the central tourist areas during both daytime and nighttime.
Budapest has many good restaurants and bars. Recently, however, tourists have been reported to have received very high and unreasonable bills at some nightclubs and bars in Budapest. If one cannot/will not pay, the guards of the resort force the tourist/tourists to the nearest ATM and thus ensure that the required amounts are taken out. The method is usually the same. A person contacts a tourist, who is then invited to have a drink with him or her at a specific night out. The bill can come up in thousands of dollars. Therefore, always make sure to ask for the menu before ordering.
Based on reported complaints from US citizens, the US Embassy in Budapest has published a list of night spots where such incidents have occurred. See the US Embassy’s website for more information.
The public transport network in Budapest is very well developed and the prices are low. At the same time, taxis are easy to obtain. The taxis hold a fairly reasonable price level when ordered over the phone, but when called on the street they are considerably more expensive and carry a risk of fraud. To avoid fraud, taxis with yellow signs, taxi signs and a clear chain logo should be used. Note that all taxis are required to use a taximeter. Be wary of some taxi drivers (“pirate taxis”) who are sometimes paid by various nightclubs to bring tourists to these places. These are also taxis that often charge unreasonable prices for their services. To be sure to avoid taxi fraud, one should avoid calling a taxi on the street, and rather book over the phone from a taxi company.
Travelers should be aware that pirate taxi drivers operate at the airports. If you wish to travel by taxi after arrival, you should contact the taxi booth outside the airport, as Budapest Airport has a well-functioning shuttle taxi service.
The road network is well-developed, with a motorway connection between most major cities. When driving on Hungarian motorways, a toll must be paid, and so-called “vignette” must be purchased at the gas station. Other road quality may vary. Hungarian traffic culture is considerably more aggressive than what Norwegians are used to. There are many more accidents in Hungary than in Norway, so Norwegians should be careful.
Police conduct frequent speed and document checks both in and outside the cities. Officials are always in uniform with well-marked police cars. The Norwegian driver’s license is valid in Hungary. Driving with a drink is not allowed – the drink limit is set at 0.00 percent.
The areas along the major rivers (Danube, Tisza) can be hit by floods and floods, especially during heavy rainfall or when snow is melting.
For more information see the pages of the National Directorate General for Disaster Management.
General emergency number: 112, police 107.
Entry
Please note that entry regulations may change. The Foreign Service is not responsible if the following information on entry regulations or visa requirements is changed at short notice. It is the responsibility of the traveler to ensure that travel documents are valid for entry and to familiarize themselves with the current entry rules for each country.
Although Hungary is a member of Schengen, passports must always be brought along. The passport must be valid for the duration of the journey. The Norwegian passport is the only valid travel document for Norwegian citizens.
Upon entry into or transit in Hungary, the following valid documents are also accepted: emergency passport, refugee travel document (green travel document), travel document for persons on humanitarian grounds (blue travel document).
Health
Coronavirus (covid-19): Norwegian travelers should keep abreast of the development of the coronavirus. Follow local authorities’ advice, guidance and instructions on how to deal with the situation.
The borders are closed to travelers from abroad, except for Hungarian and EEA citizens with registered residence in Hungary. Other exceptions can be given by the police. Crossings on the motorways are permitted for citizens of neighboring countries. All travelers to Hungary are required to register the home quarantine for two weeks, unless one has a covid-19 infection and is symptom-free, or one has a certificate that they have been under epidemiological surveillance for at least 14 days before crossing the border.
It is only possible to leave the residence to go to work and other necessary errands.
All events in Hungary, regardless of the number of participants, are prohibited. Exceptions may be given for sports events held for closed doors, ie indoors and without the public. All theaters, cinemas, clubs, cultural institutions, museums, etc. are closed. From now on, all universities, schools and kindergartens are closed.
Cafes and restaurants can provide food and take-out is allowed. Weddings, funerals and religious ceremonies are allowed. Pharmacies, grocery stores and gas stations can stay open as usual. People can also go to the hairdresser, bank and post office. It has been introduced that people over the age of 65 can only shop in these stores between 9-12, and that those under 65 can only go there before noon. 9 and after 12. It has also been introduced that one must keep a distance of 1.5 meters to others, this also applies to public transport.
A call center has been set up to call for updated information and advice on how to deal with the virus. This includes how to act if you think you have been infected or become ill. This includes to call 24 hours a day + 36-80-277-455 or + 36-80-277-456 (in English or Hungarian) and ask for guidance. Email: koronavirus@bm.gov.hu.
English information on handling covid-19 in Hungary can be found on the pages of the Hungarian Government’s Office for International Communication, the Hungarian Public Health Center and the Hungarian Tourist Office respectively.
You can find more information and guidance from the Norwegian health authorities on the website of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. See also UD’s answers to frequently asked questions about travel and coronavirus.
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Always bring with you the blue European health insurance card that is valid in all EEA countries. It is strongly recommended that all travelers to Hungary also take out their own travel and sickness insurance before leaving, for example. home transport is not covered by the European Health Insurance Card, which provides only the right to emergency treatment at public hospitals and health stations.
Hospitals and emergency rooms do not meet the same quality standards as in the Nordic countries, although the standard for doctors is high. The relatives are usually expected to bring food and clean sheets etc. to the patient.
However, there are medical and dental centers designed for foreigners. Private clinics are often significantly more expensive than public services.
Two private Budapest medical centers offer 24-hour English telephone service to anyone in need of emergency medical care or counseling.
First Med Centers
Tel: + 36-1-224 9090
Hatty¨² utca 14, 5th floor
1015 Budapest, Hungary R¨®zsakert Medical-Center Tel: + 36-1- 392 0505 R¨®zsakert Shopping Center 3rd floor G¨¢bor Áron u. 74-78/a 1026 Budapest, Hungary
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Practical
The mains in Hungary are 220/230 volts, 50 Hz, two-hole sockets (as in Norway). According to allcitycodes, the area code for calls from Norway to Hungary is +36.
The currency unit in Hungary is Hungarian Forint (HUF). Most credit cards can be used in major cities at most tourist destinations. There are a number of ATMs for cash withdrawals.
Normal opening hours for shops are Monday-Friday 1000 -1800 and Saturday 1000 -1300. Supermarkets have longer opening hours. Stores are closed on Sundays, with the exception of smaller grocery stores. Banks are open 0900 – 1600 on weekdays. Public offices are open 0900 – 1600 (on Fridays until 1300). The post office is open weekdays 0800-1800, larger offices also on weekends.
National holidays and holidays are: January 1, March 15 (National Day, Freedom Camp 1848/1849), Easter 2nd Day, May 1 (Workers’ Day), 2nd Pentecost, August 20 (National Day), October 23 (National Day, Freedom Fight 1956), November 1 (All Saints’ Day), 25-26. December (Christmas)
Emergency telephones: Ambulance 104, fire 105, police 107, International emergency call center: 112.
Hungarian Tourist Office/Tourinform Contact Center: +36 1 438 8080 (24-hour service with English- and German-speaking personnel)
In crisis and emergency, the embassy can be contacted:
Royal Norwegian Embassy
Ostrom u. 13, H-1015 Budapest, Hungary
Phone: + 36-1-325 33 00 (Hungary)
Phone: +47 23 95 27 00 (Norway)
Outside the embassy’s opening hours audience contact the UD’s 24-hour operating center on tel: +47 23 95 00 00 or by e-mail: UDops@mfa.no
It is statutory in Hungary that one should always be able to identify, and therefore passports should always be brought. For Norwegians, the passport is the only internationally valid travel document.
Punishment for possession and use of drugs is mainly in Hungary as in Norway. There is zero tolerance for driving a car.
Smoking is prohibited in certain outdoor areas in Budapest. The smoking ban applies in subways, bus stops, subways and all other means of transport operated by BKK. The ban also applies in the immediate vicinity of playgrounds. The fine for smoking in the aforementioned areas is HUF 50,000.
The official language is Hungarian. It should be noted that English is not as widely used as in Norway. German is somewhat more prevalent than in Norway.