Risk level

Safety and security

Crime

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.)

Terrorism

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.

Scams

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.

Taxis

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

Air travel

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

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Entry and exit requirements

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

• Schengen area
• Foreign Representatives in Canada

Passport

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.

Useful links

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Visas

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).

Health

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. 

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. 

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.

Laws and culture

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.

Drugs

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.

Useful links

• 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.

Driving

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.

Useful links

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

Vignettes

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

Public transportation

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.

Money

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

Natural disasters and climate

Flooding

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