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TRAVEL REPORT
Hungary

1. RECENT UPDATES

Section 2 has been updated (information concerning flooding removed).

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2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

There is no Official Warning for this country.

Hungary

Exercise normal security precautions

Exercise high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

Canadians should exercise a high degree of caution. They should ensure that valuables, passports, and other travel documents are secure at all times.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency abroad, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.

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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions.

Crime

Petty crime such as pickpocketing and bag snatching occurs, particularly on public transport, in railway stations, at markets, in shopping centres, and in other areas frequented by tourists. Theft of passports and currency also occurs. Armed robbery targeting banks, bars, pharmacies, and lottery kiosks occurs, especially in Budapest.

Car thefts and highway robberies also occur. Drivers should be cautious when stopping at gas stations and highway parking areas, especially after dark. There are reports of individuals staging roadside emergencies (e.g. a smoking engine or flat tire) to persuade drivers to pull over. Thieves then remove personal belongings from the distracted driver's car.

Scams

Some restaurants and clubs do not list prices, particularly in the business district of central Pest. Ask to see a menu where prices are clearly listed. Discussions regarding overcharging could lead to violence. Only carry small amounts of cash.

Some scams include surcharges on final bills for drinks or meals. Travellers unable to pay the bil have been accompanied by the bar or restaurant security guard to a cash machine and forced to withdraw funds while being threatened. Do not ask taxi drivers to recommend bars or clubs, as they are sometimes accomplices in these scams.

Male travellers have been approached by young women in public areas with invitations to socialize. Some have fallen victim to criminal activity and been presented with very large bills for drinks and entertainment.

Be vigilant when receiving banknotes, particularly 10,000 or 20,000 notes, as some that are no longer valid are still in circulation. For information on valid Hungarian banknotes, please see http://english.mnb.hu/engine.aspx?page=mnben_currency_en.

Demonstrations

Demonstrations occur periodically in larger urban centres. Canadians should avoid large public gatherings and demonstrations as they can turn violent without notice. Canadians should also follow the advice of local authorities at all times.

Since 2006, extremist groups have used March 15, date of the commemoration of the 1848 Hungarian Revolution, and October 23, Republic Day, to stage demonstrations during commemorative events.

General Safety Information

Travellers must have identification readily available. Carry your passport at all times. A photocopy is not acceptable.

Foreigners are strongly encouraged to report criminal acts to a 24-hour multilingual crime reporting office, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 1-438-8080, and after hours at 06-80-66-00-44. The 24-hour police Tourinform office, at Vigado Utca 6, 1051 Budapest, provides service in English and German. Incidents can also be reported to the Embassy of Canada in Budapest (see Section 5 below).

In case of an emergency, dial 112. You can also dial 107 for the police, 104 for an ambulance, and 105 for the fire department.

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4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries or regions have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been obtained from the Hungarian authorities. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is the traveller’s responsibility to check with the Embassy of the Republic of Hungary and its consulates, for up-to-date information.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Hungary. The passport must be valid for at least three months beyond the date of your expected departure from Hungary/Schengen area.

Tourist Visa: Not required
Business Visa: Not required
Student Visa: Required

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Schengen Area

The member states of the European Union (EU) (not including Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania, and the United Kingdom), along with Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland (which are not in the EU), make up the Schengen Area, which has common rules regarding visas and controls at external borders. The following 25 countries comprise the Schengen Area: 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, Sweden, and Switzerland.

In the Schengen Area, Canadian travellers do not need visas for short-term visits (up to 90 days within a six-month period). The 90 days are cumulative and apply to travel within all countries of the Schengen Area. Some countries require you to register with local authorities within three working days of your arrival. It is important to get your passport stamped when entering the Schengen Area. The absence of an entry stamp from the initial Schengen port of entry could create difficulties during subsequent encounters with local police or other authorities throughout the Schengen Area.

If Canadians overstay the permitted 90 days in the Schengen Area, they may be fined or deported. To visit for longer than 90 days, Canadians must obtain a long-stay national visa.

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A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is not a travel document. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians for the purpose of international travel. Canadian citizens returning to Canada who present other documents, such as a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, birth certificate, provincial driver’s licence, or foreign passport, instead of a Canadian passport, may face delays or be denied boarding by transport companies.

Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify all visa requirements for this and other destinations, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

EU legislation on the amount of cash that can be carried was implemented on June 15, 2007. Canadians crossing one of the external border control points of the EU will have to make a declaration to customs upon entry or exit if they have at least 10,000 euros, or the equivalent in other currencies, in cash, cheques, money orders, traveller's cheques, or any other convertible assets in their possession. Failure to report such a sum will be considered an offence. This does not apply to Canadians travelling within the EU or in transit to a non-EU country. The purpose of this legislation is to prevent illegal activities, such as money laundering. For more information on the new EU legislation and links to EU countries' sites, consult http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/customs/customs_controls/cash_controls/index_en.htm.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries or regions may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country or region without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries or regions do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

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5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS

You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address:

Hungary - BUDAPEST, Embassy of Canada
Address: Ganz utca 12-14, 1027 Budapest, Hungary
Tel.: 36 (1) 392-3360
Fax: 36 (1) 392-3390
E-Mail: bpest@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.Hungary.gc.ca

For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Budapest and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to the Emergency Operations Centre in Ottawa at 613-996-8885.

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6. TRAVEL HEALTH

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Health Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

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7. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Satisfactory medical care is available, but emergency services may be inadequate. Medical services usually require immediate cash payment. Private clinics are available but are considerably more expensive.

Tick-borne encephalitis occurs in wooded areas from spring to autumn. If you plan to visit forested areas, you should seek advice regarding inoculations before leaving Canada.

See our Global Issues page for information on the H1N1 Flu Virus.

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8. LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. However, Canada and Hungary are signatories to the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, which enables a Canadian imprisoned in Hungary to request to be transferred to Canada to complete the sentence in a Canadian prison. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Hungarian authorities.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries or regions, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare.

Hungarian laws concerning the possession and use of drugs are strict.

There is zero tolerance for drinking and driving. Police often conduct routine road checks in which breathalyzer tests are administered. Persons found to be driving while intoxicated face jail and/or a fine.

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9. TRAVEL AND CURRENCY

Seat belts are mandatory. Turning right at a red light is prohibited. Traffic congestion and parking in cities can be a problem. Highways are generally in good condition. A motorway vignette (permit) is required when travelling on highways. These electronic vignettes can be purchased from a gas station or post office. Some gas stations no longer issue stickers as proof of payment; however, travellers are required to keep receipts for one year as proof of purchase.

Rural roads may be narrow, badly lit, and poorly maintained. Headlights must be on at all times outside of inhabited areas.

Police no longer collect fines on the spot for traffic violations. A ticket is issued indicating the amount of the fine, which can be paid at any post office. Police may retain the passport of a traveller who disputes a fine or offence. They will issue a receipt and letter requesting that the traveller report to a police station. The passport will be returned after the dispute is settled.

Traffic regulations are strictly enforced.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended.

See our FAQ on transportation in order to verify if national airlines meet safety standards.

Canadians in Hungary should use official, marked taxis. Whenever possible, it is recommended that visitors call a taxi through a dispatcher rather than hailing one on the street. Travellers need to ensure that the meter is on and charging the appropriate rate, which should be displayed in the taxi. Those who think they have been wrongly charged should take note of the taxi information, ask for a receipt, and contact the taxi company to report the incident.

Fare payment on public transit is mandatory, and violators are subject to fines or arrest and prosecution.

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The economy is cash-based. The currency is the forint (HUF). Credit cards and U.S. dollar traveller's cheques are accepted in Budapest and in some major cities. Most stores prefer cash, although credit cards are widely accepted at bigger stores and are becoming more and more common. Canadian traveller's cheques and currency are not widely accepted worldwide. Do not use unofficial money-changers. Travellers can export a maximum of HUF 300,000 out of Hungary.

Check with your bank for information on automated banking machine (ABM) services outside Canada. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ABMs around the world. Verify with your financial institution whether your bank card can be used with ABMs abroad. Some countries use chip and/or personal identification number (PIN) technology for credit cards. Check with your bank to find out if your credit card will be accepted abroad. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ABMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

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10. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

Hungary enjoys a fairly stable continental climate. Floods and snowstorms may have widespread impacts, as Hungarian cities and villages are not as well equipped as those in Canada to deal with severe weather. Every year, flooding occurs in the northeast region of Hungary, along the watershed of the upper Tisza River, causing severe damage to housing and displacing families. During snowstorms, parts of the country can close down and be isolated for several days. There are no active volcanoes in Hungary.

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11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Returning to Canada

Traveller's Checklist

Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

Adoption: Adoption by foreigners is almost impossible in this country or region.

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12. ANNEX

N/A

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