Hungary visa Policy and Foreign exchange Information

IMMIGRATION AND VISAS

Passport Requirements: –

All travelers need a passport, with the exception of the following:

1. Travelers with national identity cards issued to citizens of European Union member countries with the exception of Denmark, the Republic of Ireland, Romania, and Great Britain.

2. Travelers with national identity cards issued to citizens of Andorra, Croatia, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland.

3. Travelers with Identity Cards that are issued by India to the Tibetan immigrant community with the following label ‘Recognised only if the holder can provide evidence of being a member of the Tibetan immigrant community.’ The document must contain a reference to the unrestricted right to return to India.

4. Travelers with ‘Kinderausweis,’ a German identity document that is issued to children.

5. Travelers with a ‘Laissez Passer’ issued by the European Union.

6. Passengers provided by the united Nations with a ‘Laissez Passer.’

7. Travelers with a travel permit issued by Macao (A Special Administrative Region of China).

8. Refugees and people without nationality or citizenship are residing in the United States of America and holding a United States ‘Refugee Travel Document’ (Form no. I-571).

9. Travelers with travel documents issued according to the London Convention of 1946 or the Geneva Convention of 1951 to refugees and people without nationality or citizenship.

10. Travelers with travel documents given to permanent Kosovo residents by the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo.

11. Travelers with travel documents and residence permits issued by a European Union member country with the exception of the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain, Iceland, and Norway to recognized refugees and people without nationality or citizenship.

Document Validity: –

Passports and alternative papers, or either of them, must be valid for the period of the intended visit.

a. Passports and alternative papers, or either of them, issued to citizens of the European Union countries must be valid on arrival.

b. Expired passports for no more than five years issued to citizens of Austria are accepted.

c. Residents of Hungary may enter with travel documents that are valid on arrival.

Additional information: –

1. Passports or passport replacing documents of travelers who require visas must be valid for at least six months after the date of expiry of the visa.

2. Students, apart from their nationality, residing in a European Union member country, Liechtenstein or Switzerland and traveling as part of a school group from within the European Union, Liechtenstein or Switzerland does not need a passport based on the condition that:

– Their names are stated on a ‘List of Travelers’ stamped by the school and certified by the concerned authority in their home country;

– The school group is accompanied by one of the teachers at that school;

– This ‘List of Travelers’ must contain a photo of the student.

N.B.

Not all European Union member countries issue this type of ‘List of Travelers’. Besides, the exemption will NOT apply to the ‘List of Travelers’ that is only stamped by the school without photos.

Warnings

On 21 December 2007, the Schengen agreement became effective, aiming to remove immigration restrictions on travel inside all the territories of the signing member countries.

This led to the rise of a borderless region that is known as the ‘Schengen area.’ Consequently, Residents of the signatories to that agreement can travel between the countries referred to above without having their documents checked.

However, travelers who require visas for one Schengen state or more to which they are ticketed and whose final destination is a Schengen state for which a visa is not required must travel with a ‘Schengen Visa.’

Moreover, Transit without Visa (TWOV) is not permissible if one of the next trips or transit countries is a Schengen country for which a visa is required because the traveler will be entering the Schengen area or borderless territory.

This means that travelers from states that require a visa for all Schengen States and travelers from states that require a visa for one or more Schengen States to which they are ticketed always need a visa. Travelers should acquire Schengen visas before their arrival in the Schengen territory.

Visa Issuance: –

1. Before arrival: Travelers are kindly requested to contact the nearest representation of Hungary.

2. On arrival: 48-hour transit visa only through Hungary is issued for citizens of Turkey with a valid visa or a residence permit for Canada, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom, or the United States of America.

3. On arrival: A visa is issued, if necessary, to travelers who have proof that a prepaid visa is available on arrival.

Visa Exemptions: –

All travelers must hold a visa except the following:

1. Citizens of Hungary.

2. Citizens of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal Romania, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

3. Travelers with British passports with the following label ‘European Union’ on the front cover and endorsed ‘British Citizen’ or either of them.

4. Travelers living for no longer than 90 days given they are:

4.1. Residents of the dynasty of Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina , Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador.

Guatemala , Honduras, Israel, Japan, Republic of Mauritius, Malaysia, Kingdom of Brunei, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, Republic of Mauritius, St. Kitts-Nevis, Uruguay, Republic of the United States of America

4.2. Travelers with British passports endorsed ‘British National (Overseas)’;

4.3. Travelers with British passports endorsed:

– ‘British Overseas Territories Citizen’ that contain the label ‘right of residence’ issued by Great Britain; or

‘British Subject,’ which also contain the label ‘right of residence’ issued by Great Britain;

4.4. Travelers with passports issued by Hong Kong or by Macao;

4.5. Travelers with diplomatic, official, or service passports provided they are citizens of Thailand;

4.6. Travelers with diplomatic or service passports provided they are citizens of Albania, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia Herzegovina, Cambodia, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Laos, Republic of Moldova, Republic of Montenegro, Morocco, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Republic of Serbia Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Vietnam;

4.7. Citizens of India who act as representatives of India in international governmental organizations situated within Hungary and holding proof of this.

N.B.

In case the bearer of an official or diplomatic passport is employed by an international organization, the visa exemption does not apply, and a visa is required.

4.8. Citizens of Egypt or the Yemen Republic with diplomatic passports;

4.9. Travelers with diplomatic passports bearing the label ‘The Sovereign Order of Malta.’

4.10. Travelers with a ‘Laissez-Passer’ issued by the United Nations;

4.11. Travelers with a ‘Laissez Passer’ issued by the European Union;

4.12. Refugees and people without nationality or citizenship with a travel document and residence permit issued by a European Union member country with the exception of the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain, Iceland, and Norway.

4.13. Refugees and people without nationality or citizenship with a travel document issued by Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (A Special Administrative Region of China).

Israel, Japan, Korea, Macao (A Special Administrative Region of China), Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, St. Kitts-Nevis, Switzerland, the United States of America, Uruguay, Vatican City or Venezuela.

5. Travelers with diplomatic or service passports staying for no more than 120 days provided they are citizens of South Africa.

6. Travelers staying for no more than 30 days provided:

6.1. They have diplomatic passports and are citizens of Algeria, Iran, Swaziland, and Uzbekistan;

6.2. They have diplomatic or service passports and are citizens of Armenia, People’s Republic of China, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and Tunisia;

6.3. They have diplomatic, service, or special passports and are citizens of Turkey.

7. Travelers with a temporary or permanent residence permit issued by Hungary so long as they are staying till the expiry date of the residence permit.

8. Travelers, regardless of nationality, with a residence permit issued by Monaco or by one of the Schengen states.

9. Travelers staying for no more than 90 days and holding a ‘family member’ residence permit issued by Bulgaria, Cyprus, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Switzerland, or the United Kingdom to a family member of a citizen of a European Economic Area member country or of Switzerland so long as they are traveling with or traveling to join the European Economic Area citizen or the citizen of Switzerland;

10. Travelers, regardless of nationality, residing in Liechtenstein for no more than five days and holding proof of their residence provided they are in transit through the Schengen Area and apart from the means of transport, they continue their trip to a country outside the Schengen Region.

TWOV (Transit Without Visa): –

1. TWOV is permissible for travelers continuing their trip to a third country provided

– they are arriving and departing from non-Schengen countries;

– they have confirmed onward tickets;

– They have all the required documents with their next trip;

– They must not exit the transfer area of the airport.

1.1. There are no international transfer facilities between Budapest Ferihegy Terminal 1 and Ferihegy Terminals 2A or 2B; so, it is not possible to TWOV between these terminals. Travelers who wish to move between the two terminals must clear immigration, collect their luggage, and then clear customs before moving on to the other terminal.

1.2. TWOV facility is not available to travelers with Chinese Taipei passports;

1.3. TWOV facility is not available to travelers with documents issued by the Palestinian authority;

1.4. The above-mentioned TWOV facility applies to travelers who need a visa even when they are in direct airside transit and are citizens of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Congo (Brazzaville), Congo (Kinshasa), Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Liberia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Senegal, Syria, Somalia, and Sudan provided they are:

1.4.1. Travelers with diplomatic or service passports.

1.4.2. Travelers with a valid visa for Bulgaria, Cyprus, Republic of Ireland, Liechtenstein, Romania, or the United Kingdom.

1.4.3. Travelers with a valid residence permit issued by Andorra, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Norway, San Marino, or the United States of America.

2. There is no hotel accommodation service at Budapest airport.

Additional information: –

1. Travelers must have a sum of money equivalent to HUF 1,000 in hard currency per each day of stay. The following documents or cards are also accepted:

– return or onward tickets, or enough money to buy one, indicating the passport number as well as all documents required for their next trip;

– A document authorizing the visitor to withdraw cash from a bank in Hungary;

– Proof of reserved and charged lodging through a travel agent;

– A letter of invitation;

– A major credit card.

* Exception:

1.1. People of the European Economic Region member countries and Switzerland.

2. Students, apart from their nationality, residing in a European Union member country, Liechtenstein or Switzerland and traveling as part of a school group from within the European Union, Liechtenstein or Switzerland does not need a visa based on the condition that:

– Their names are stated on a ‘List of Travelers’ stamped by the school and certified by the concerned authority in their home country;

– One of the teachers at that school accompanies the school group;

– This ‘List of Travelers’ must contain a photo of the student.

When the ‘List of Travelers’ is only stamped by the school and is neither authenticated by the concerned authority nor containing photos of the students, each student must carry his/her own travel document and proof of place of residence.

Warnings

Travelers who do not respect entry or transit regulations will be denied entry. Transporting carriers bringing in travelers with incorrect documents will have to pay a fine of HUF 1,000,000.

CUSTOMS AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE

Import regulations: –

1. Travelers arriving with goods bought within the European Union for personal use only are allowed free import of:

1.1. Tobacco products: 800 cigarettes; 400 cigarillos, each weighing no more than three grams; 200 cigars; one kg of smoking tobacco;

1.2. alcoholic drinks: 10 liters of alcoholic drinks over 22%; 20 liters of alcoholic drinks less than 22%; 90 liters of wine but no more than 60 liters of sparkling wine; 110 liters of beer.

2. Travelers arriving from non-European Union countries, including the Canary Islands, Channel Islands, and other similar regions are allowed free import of:

2.1. Travelers aged 17 years old and more are allowed 200 cigarettes; 100 cigarillos each weighing no more than three grams; 50 cigars; 250 grames of smoking tobacco; or a proportional mixture of these products;

2.2. Travelers who are aged 17 years old and more are permitted one liter of alcoholic drinks which is over 22% volume; non-denatured ethyl alcohol with more than 80% of volume; two liters of alcoholic drinks or aperitifs made of wine or similar drinks less than 22% volume; sparkling wines or liqueur wines; or a proportional mixture of these products, in addition to four liters of still wine; and 16 liters of beer;

3.2. Medicines for personal use only;

4.2. Air travelers are allowed other goods up to a total value of EUR 430 per adult travelers or EUR 150 per travelers aged less than 15 years.

3. Prohibited Goods:

Animal products other than those originating from a Member State of the European Union and from Andorra, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino or Switzerland cannot be imported into a Member State of the European Union with the exception of Small quantities of unique goods from Andorra, Croatia, the Faeroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, and tiny amounts from other countries. 

3.1. For further details, please check the website of the European Union: http://europa.eu

Export regulations: –

Travelers are allowed free export of:

One liter of alcoholic drinks, one liter of wine, and five liters of beer;

500 grams of tobacco or 100 cigars or 500 cigarettes;

One kilo of coffee, tea, cacao, and all kinds of spices and their mixtures;

* Exception:

Seasoning paprika and its mixture and other goods:

Up to HUF 500 per item: 10 each;

Up to HUF 2,000 per item: 5 each;

Up to HUF 5,000 per item: 2 each;

Over a value of HUF 5,000: 1 each.

– Prohibited Goods include medicines not for personal use, child and baby articles, stamps, precious metals, or the like, all kinds of food products, underwear, kitchen articles. A quantity of foodstuff for personal use with a total value of HUF 100 is allowed.

Crew members customs regulations: –

For crew members, the same rules apply as for regular travelers.

Pets: –

Cats and dogs are subject to the special rule (E.C. no. 998 of 2003) of the European Parliament and of the European Council. For further information, please check the website of the Ministry of Agriculture: www.fvm.hu.

Pets may enter as traveler’s luggage, as cargo, or in the cabin.

Baggage Clearance regulations: –

A traveler’s luggage should be cleared at the first airport of entry in Hungary.

Airport tax: –

Upon leaving the airport, travelers are not expected to pay any airport fee.

Currency Import regulations: –

The same laws apply to the import of currency as to the export of currency.

Currency Export regulations: –

There are no restrictions on exporting local currency (Hungarian Forint-HUF) and foreign currencies for travelers arriving from or traveling to a country within the European Union.

As far as travelers coming directly from or travelling to a country outside the European Union are concerned, amounts in other currency exceeding EUR 10 000 or equivalent, including banker’s draught and cheques of any sort, must be declared.