Hongarije: wat je moet weten voor vertrek
Het belangrijkste
- Currency is the forint (HUF); always pay and withdraw in HUF and decline conversion offers.
- Zero tolerance for alcohol when driving; motorways need an e-vignette (e-matrica).
- Check restaurant bills: a 10-15% service charge is often already included.
- Drinking alcohol in public spaces is banned in Budapest.
Inreis en visa
Hungary is in the Schengen area. Non-EU visitors are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) on first entry: fingerprints and a facial photo, no passport stamps. Visa-free visitors may stay 90 days in any 180 across all Schengen states. ETIAS is not operating yet: its launch is now expected in 2027, so ignore sites selling "ETIAS" approvals.
Geldigheid paspoort: Non-EU passports: valid at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen area and issued within the last 10 years.
Aan de grens kan worden gevraagd naar
- EES registration at the first Schengen border: fingerprints and face photo (children under 12 give no fingerprints). Allow extra time at passport control.
- Border guards may ask for a return ticket, accommodation proof, travel insurance and funds for your stay.
- Your 90/180 days are counted across all Schengen states together; use the EU short-stay calculator to check.
Douane
- From outside the EU: 200 cigarettes, 1 L spirits or 2 L fortified wine, 4 L wine, 16 L beer; other goods up to EUR 430 by air/sea (EUR 300 by land).
- Personal imports of meat, milk and dairy products from non-EU countries are banned (small exceptions for infant food and medical needs).
- Declare cash of EUR 10,000 or more (or equivalent) when entering or leaving the EU.
- Prescription medicines: carry the prescription; narcotic or psychotropic medicines need a Schengen certificate (Article 75) or a doctor's letter.
Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: home-affairs.ec.europa.eu ↗, travel-europe.europa.eu ↗, home-affairs.ec.europa.eu ↗, home-affairs.ec.europa.eu ↗, taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu ↗, finance.ec.europa.eu ↗, gov.pl ↗
Geld
Contant en pinnen zijn allebei gangbaar. Kaarten worden bijna overal geaccepteerd.
Betaalnetwerken: Visa, Mastercard
Apple Pay — werkt · Google Pay — werkt
Waar je geld wisselt
- Pay by card in HUF; cards are widely accepted.
- Bank ATMs (OTP, K&H, Erste, Raiffeisen).
- Licensed city-centre exchange offices with clear buy rates.
Waar je beter niet wisselt
- Euronet and independent ATMs in tourist areas.
- Airport exchange counters.
- Street money changers.
- Paying in euros: allowed in some places but rates are poor.
Geldautomaten: Choose bank ATMs and decline the "convert to your currency" option. Forint banknotes go up to HUF 20,000; check notes when receiving change.
Fooi: About 10-15% unless a service charge ("szervízdíj") is already on the bill. Hand tips directly; do not leave on the table.
- When a card terminal or ATM offers to charge you in your home currency, decline and pay in local currency: dynamic currency conversion adds roughly 3-10%.
- Cards issued by Russian banks (Visa, Mastercard and Mir) do not work here because of sanctions; bring enough cash or a card from a non-Russian bank.
- Use only licensed taxis (Főtaxi, City Taxi) or apps; flag-down tourist taxis can overcharge.
Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: visithungary.com ↗, gov.uk ↗, mnb.hu ↗, support.apple.com ↗
Regels en verboden
Verboden
- Drinking alcohol in public places in Budapest (and other towns): fines.
- Any alcohol in the blood while driving: zero limit, fines and licence suspension.
- Using motorways without an e-matrica: surcharge fines.
- Riding public transport without a validated ticket: on-the-spot fines.
- Drones need permits in Budapest and near airports.
- Drug possession, even small amounts, is a crime with prison sentences.
Wetten die reizigers onbewust overtreden
- Carry your passport.
- Headlights must be on outside built-up areas.
Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: gov.uk ↗, ematrica.nemzetiutdij.hu ↗, budapestinfo.hu ↗, gov.uk ↗
Cultuur en kleding
Religie: Mostly Christian (Catholic and Calvinist), many non-religious.
Kleding: Casual; swimwear only in the thermal baths and pools; cover up in churches.
Etiquette
- Many Hungarians avoid clinking beer glasses (historic custom); clink wine instead.
- Greet with "Jó napot".
- Bring swim caps for some pools in thermal baths.
- Be punctual.
Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: visithungary.com ↗
Klimaat
Continental: hot summers, cold winters. Figures are Budapest average highs/lows.
Per maand
- januari: Jan: 3/-3°C, cold; thermal baths
- februari: Feb: 5/-2°C, cold
- maart: Mar: 11/2°C, cool
- april: Apr: 17/6°C, mild
- mei: May: 22/11°C, pleasant
- juni: Jun: 26/15°C, warm
- juli: Jul: 28/16°C, hot
- augustus: Aug: 28/16°C, hot; Sziget festival
- september: Sep: 22/12°C, warm, wine season
- oktober: Oct: 16/7°C, mild
- november: Nov: 9/3°C, grey
- december: Dec: 4/-1°C, cold; Christmas markets
Beste seizoen: April-June and September-October.
Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: met.hu ↗, visithungary.com ↗
Wat mee te nemen
- Swimwear, flip-flops and towel for thermal baths
- Type F plug adapter (230 V)
- Warm clothes in winter
- Comfortable shoes
Niet meenemen / invoer verboden
- Any drugs.
- Meat and dairy from outside the EU.
- Unlicensed taxis.
Praktisch
Stopcontacten: Type F (Type C fits); 230 V, 50 Hz
Water: Tap water is safe to drink.
Verkeer: rechts rijden
Mobiel en eSIM: EU roaming: SIMs from any EU/EEA country work at home prices (fair-use limits). Ukrainian and Moldovan SIMs too since 1 Jan 2026. Swiss, UK, Serbian and other non-EU SIMs pay roaming; an eSIM data plan is cheaper.
Apps: BudapestGO, MÁV (trains), Bolt, Főtaxi
Internet: Good 4G/5G and Wi-Fi.
Gezondheid: EU/EEA/Swiss and UK (GHIC) cardholders get state healthcare at local rates with their EHIC/GHIC. Others pay in full, so bring insurance. Pharmacies (green cross) handle minor issues.
Verzekering: Schengen visa applicants must hold travel medical insurance of at least EUR 30,000 valid in all Schengen states. Everyone else: strongly advised.
Noodnummers: 112 (all emergencies)
Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: europa.eu ↗, europa.eu ↗, digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu ↗, gov.uk ↗
Inreisregels veranderen. Controleer vóór de reis de website van de ambassade of immigratiedienst van het land.