Travel Summary
- The Hungarian Authorities have removed the epidemic alert at the airport on the grounds that they consider new cases are no longer predominantly caused by foreign travel. The rising number of confirmed cases is caused by domestic, in-country transmission.
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There are confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus (Swine Flu) in Hungary (source: Chief Medical Officer (CMO)). There are reports of confirmed and suspected Swine Flu infection in countries neighbouring Hungary. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website at www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html has further details. You should monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on the FCO website http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/swine-flu. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk. See the Health section of this advice for more details.
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20,000 British nationals are expected at this year's Sziget Music Festival in Budapest. Most visitors will enjoy a trouble-free and fun stay. The most common problems that British visitors to Sziget have encountered in the past have been lost and stolen passports and arrests for drug offences. The Embassy website has practical advice about staying safe at the festival www.ukinhungary.fco.gov.uk .
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There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
- Around 400,000 British nationals visit Hungary each year (source: Hungarian Central Statistics Office). Most visits are trouble free. 203 British nationals required consular assistance in Hungary in the period 01 April 2006 – 31 March 2007. The main types of incident for which they required consular assistance were for replacing lost or stolen passports (109 cases); dealing with deaths (8 cases); and hospitalisations (9 cases); and dealing with arrests, for a variety of reasons (6 cases). If you need to contact the emergency services in Hungary call 112.
- We recommend you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.
Safety and security
Terrorism
There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.
There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.
Crime
You should take sensible precautions against the sort of risks (such as petty crime) common in Western Europe.
If you intend to attend any of the summer music festivals which takes place annually in Hungary, including the Sziget Festival which takes place each August in Budapest, you should take care of your personal belongings, and keep your valuables with you. In previous years there have been numerous cases of passports being lost or stolen at festivals, and a passport is required by anyone leaving Hungary.
You can be charged exorbitant prices in certain bars, clubs and restaurants in Budapest. This happens in a number of establishments near the large hotels in the business district (V district) of central Pest but problems occur elsewhere in the city as well.
Common scams include adding a 20,000 HUF (£60) surcharge per drink to the final bill or charging up to 100,000 HUF (£300) for a meal. Individuals who have been unable to settle their bills have frequently been accompanied by the establishment’s security guards to a cash machine and made to withdraw funds under threats of violence.
Some taxi drivers are accomplices in these frauds. They often recommend certain bars, clubs and restaurants to passengers – they receive a commission to do so, and the money is then recovered by these establishments charging extortionate prices. You should never ask a taxi driver to recommend a bar or club. If a driver offers to take you to one, or you are approached on the street with an invitation to enter a club, you should treat that advice with extreme caution. As a general rule it is better to phone for a taxi from one of the reputable local companies (your hotel can advise). You should also be careful in establishments where menus do not properly display prices. Even when prices appear to be properly displayed, if you have any doubts about a bar, restaurant or club– do not go in.
Bag snatching and pick-pocketing are common in Budapest in particular. Be particularly careful on busy public transport, in train stations, markets and other places frequented by tourists.
If you travel by overnight train you should, if possible, travel accompanied and you should secure your compartment from the inside.
If you travel by overnight train you should, if possible, travel accompanied and you should secure your compartment from the inside.
Theft of and from, vehicles is common.
Do not carry large amounts of cash. Do not use street money changers.
You should take extra care when receiving bank notes as some banknotes that are no longer valid are still in circulation. We have received a very small number of reports of some taxi drivers deliberately passing these notes to tourists - as well as notes from neighbouring countries that are not valid here. Be aware especially when paying with a 10000 or a 20000 bank note.
For information on valid Hungarian bank notes please refer to the link below.
There are occasional political demonstrations against the Government in Budapest and elsewhere in the country. These tend to take place on or close to important national holidays with a political relevance - such as 15 March (anniversary of 1848 Revolution) and 23 October (anniversary of 1956 Anti-Soviet Uprising). There have been some cases where generally peaceful political demonstrations ended in violence. As a precaution, you should avoid all political demonstrations.
Local travel
If you intend to visit gay venues in Hungary, please be aware that there were two petrol bomb attacks on gay venues in Budapest, on 27 June and 3 July 2008, and participants in the Gay Pride march on 5 July 2008 were attacked by violent far-right protesters. General advice for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender travellers can be found on the Foreign & Commonwealth Office website at: LGBT travellers.
Road Travel
In 2007 there were 1,232 road deaths in Hungary (source: DfT). This equates to 12.2 road deaths per 100,000 of population and compares to the UK average of 5.0 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2007.
It is illegal to drive having consumed any alcohol.
The use of headlights is compulsory on roads outside towns even in daytime.
Vehicles using the Hungarian motorways M1, M3, M5 and M7 need to be in possession of a motorway vignette, obtainable at petrol stations and post offices. Motorway toll can also be paid online http://www.ppo.hu.
In winter, equip your car for severe conditions.
For more general information see Driving Abroad. You will also find some useful information at: http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/touring_tips/AA_Hungary.pdf
Air Travel
The revised EU-wide security measures that came into effect for all passengers departing from UK airports in November 2006 are also being implemented in Hungary. For more details about this see Airline Security.
Public transport in Budapest
Foreign visitors to Budapest are often caught out by the ticket system in Budapest, and fined by ticket inspectors. You should follow the passenger information notices, which are usually printed in English. Make sure you validate your ticket before starting your journey (i.e. before you get to the platform if travelling by Metro; and immediately after boarding buses, trams or trolley buses). You should keep your ticket until the end of your journey and show it to inspectors on request. Please note that you have to validate another ticket every time you change lines.
You should also note that a special ticket is required for use on the night service network.
For more information on ticket conditions and prices, visit the website of the Budapest Transport Authority.
Foreign visitors to Budapest are often caught out by the ticket system in Budapest, and fined by ticket inspectors. You should follow the passenger information notices, which are usually printed in English. Make sure you validate your ticket before starting your journey (i.e. before you get to the platform if travelling by Metro; and immediately after boarding buses, trams or trolley buses). You should keep your ticket until the end of your journey and show it to inspectors on request. Please note that you have to validate another ticket every time you change lines.
You should also note that a special ticket is required for use on the night service network.
For more information on ticket conditions and prices, visit the website of the Budapest Transport Authority.
Local laws and customs
Carry your passport or photo-driving licence at all times. You must be able to show some form of identity if requested, e.g.: by the police. A photocopy is not acceptable.
Hungarian laws on the possession and use of drugs are strict.
For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.
For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.
Entry requirements
Visas
British citizens do not require visas to enter Hungary but you must have a valid British passport. If you intend to stay more than 90 days, you must register with the nearest regional Immigration Office. For further information, contact the Consular Section of the Hungarian Embassy, London.
Passports
British citizens must have a valid passport to enter Hungary, but there is no requirement for the passport to be valid beyond the date of entry. If your passport is lost or stolen in Hungary, you will need to replace it before you leave the country (the Hungarian Border Guard will not usually accept a police report in place of a stolen passport, as is the practice in other European countries). You should therefore be sure to safeguard your passport during your stay.
Haulage vehicles
Drivers of large haulage vehicles transiting Hungary should ensure they have full vehicle documentation. International loads must be supported by a TIR carnet providing a full inventory of the goods being carried. There is a requirement to leave a financial bond with the Hungarian customs when transiting Hungary with a cargo. The financial bond, minus an administration fee is returned on leaving the country. If you are planning to transit Hungary with consignments of humanitarian aid as relief following a disaster or medical aid you should contact the Hungarian Embassy in London in advance to obtain documentation waiving this requirement.
Fines
Entry into Hungary can be barred if you have failed to pay a previous fine in Hungary. You should contact the Hungarian Embassy in London for guidance on paying any outstanding fines before you next enter Hungary.
Passports
British citizens must have a valid passport to enter Hungary, but there is no requirement for the passport to be valid beyond the date of entry. If your passport is lost or stolen in Hungary, you will need to replace it before you leave the country (the Hungarian Border Guard will not usually accept a police report in place of a stolen passport, as is the practice in other European countries). You should therefore be sure to safeguard your passport during your stay.
Haulage vehicles
Drivers of large haulage vehicles transiting Hungary should ensure they have full vehicle documentation. International loads must be supported by a TIR carnet providing a full inventory of the goods being carried. There is a requirement to leave a financial bond with the Hungarian customs when transiting Hungary with a cargo. The financial bond, minus an administration fee is returned on leaving the country. If you are planning to transit Hungary with consignments of humanitarian aid as relief following a disaster or medical aid you should contact the Hungarian Embassy in London in advance to obtain documentation waiving this requirement.
Fines
Entry into Hungary can be barred if you have failed to pay a previous fine in Hungary. You should contact the Hungarian Embassy in London for guidance on paying any outstanding fines before you next enter Hungary.
Health
The Hungarian Authorities have removed the epidemic alert at the airport on the grounds that they consider new cases are no longer predominantly caused by foreign travel. The rising number of confirmed cases is caused by domestic, in-country transmission.
The Hungarian government is making increasing efforts to inform and educate the wider public on hygiene standards and liaison with GP’s. Vaccine production to provide government stocks has begun.
There are confirmed cases of A (H1N1) – Swine Flu in Hungary (source: Chief Medical Officer (CMO)). There are reports of confirmed and suspected Swine Flu infection in countries neighbouring Hungary. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website at www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html has further details. You should monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on the FCO website http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/swine-flu. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk.
The Form E111 is no longer valid. You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Hungarian nationals. It also does not cover you for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature. For more general information see EHIC.
In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 3,300 adults aged 15 or over in Hungary were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.1% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to Hungary and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
For more general health information see Travel Health.
Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
In January 2007, the Hungarian authorities confirmed the existence of the H5N1 (Avian Influenza) virus strain in five dead geese in south-east Hungary. Similar cases were also reported in 2006. The Hungarian authorities have announced that strict biosecurity measures are being enforced in accordance with EU legislation. Please see Health section for further information. No human infections or deaths have been reported. No human infections or deaths have been reported.
The risk to humans from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low. As a precaution, you should avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.
You should read this advice in conjunction with the Avian and Pandemic Influenza, which gives more detailed advice and information.
You should read this advice in conjunction with the Avian and Pandemic Influenza, which gives more detailed advice and information.
General
Insurance
We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel Insurance.
If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help.
Registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help.
Registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
Customs Regulations
Travellers entering the UK from European Union countries do not normally pay any UK tax or duty on excise goods they have bought tax and duty paid in EU countries for own use. But there are special rules for cigarettes and some other tobacco products from some EU countries.
The UK is maintaining limits on the amount of cigarettes and some tobacco products that travellers are able to bring in to the UK for own use from nine European Union Member States (including Hungary), without paying UK duty. Anyone who is carrying more than the limits on entering the UK should pay UK duty on those goods by entering the Customs red channel or by using the red point telephone. If travellers enter the Customs blue channel with more than the limits, then all of their tobacco may be seized.
All travellers who are:
a) entering or travelling via Hungary from outside the EU; or
b) leaving Hungary to travel to Austria, Belgium, Germany, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, France and Ireland; or
c) travelling to or via Hungary from Bulgaria or Romania
are allowed to carry a maximum of 200 cigarettes duty-free (providing the travellers are over 17 years of age). In Hungary, anyone exceeding this limit is likely to have their cigarettes confiscated, and could be fined or have their vehicle seized. You should check the customs regulations before entering or leaving Hungary on the following websites:
EUROPA - Travelling within the EU
EUROPA - Entering the EU
or by contacting the Hungarian Customs and Finance Guard as follows:
Postal Address: 1450 Budapest, Pf. 109, Hungary
Phone: +36-1-456-9500
Fax: +36-1-456-9525
E-mail: vam.info@mail.vpop.hu
Money
Since 15 June 2007 new legislation on the controls of cash entering or leaving the EU applies in all Member States. Any person entering or leaving the EU will have to declare the cash that they are carrying if this amounts to 10,000 euros or more; this includes cheques, travellers' cheques, money orders, etc. This will not apply to anyone travelling via the EU to a non-EU country, as long as the original journey started outside of the EU nor to those travelling within the EU.
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