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Weather & climate
Weather in Hungary
Hungary
22°
Overcast
Thu
15°
22°
Fri
13°
23°
Sat
10°
20°
Sun
9°
23°
Mon
11°
15°
Tue
9°
15°
Wed
9°
13°
SPF level in Hungary
Recommended: SPF 50
Spring
SPF 30
Summer
SPF 50
Autumn
SPF 30
Winter
SPF 15
Suncream is often more expensive in tourist zones. Pack your preferred SPF from the UK, especially for beach holidays. Always carry travel-size (100ml max) for hand luggage.
Before you go
Entry requirements for Hungary
What British travellers need to know
You can travel to Hungary without a visa for tourism for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Your passport must have a 'date of issue' less than 10 years before you arrive and an 'expiry date' at least 3 months after you plan to leave the Schengen area.
Be prepared to show a return or onward ticket, proof of enough money for your stay, and proof of accommodation like a hotel booking at border control.
Be prepared to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photo, at the border as part of the new Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES).
Make sure you get your passport stamped on entry and exit, or show boarding passes as evidence, to prove you haven't overstayed the 90-day visa-free limit.
Good to know:
You cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into Hungary, with exceptions for things like powdered baby milk and baby food.
Declare cash or travellers cheques if the value is 10,000 euros or more when entering Hungary to avoid seizure.
Safety in Hungary
Tips when travelling
Hungary is tourist-friendly but has some key cultural and legal rules:
Always carry your original passport as you must show ID if the police ask and a copy is not acceptable.
Bag-snatching and pickpocketing are common in cities, especially on busy public transport, at train stations, in markets, and in tourist areas.
Always ask to see a menu with prices before ordering food or drink and check your bill carefully, as some bars and restaurants overcharge tourists.
There have been reports of drink spiking in bars, particularly in Budapest, so buy your own drinks and keep sight of them.
Use official ATMs inside banks if possible and keep your bank card in sight when paying to avoid card fraud.
Bonus tips:
You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Hungary.
You must use dipped headlights on roads outside towns even during the daytime.
More information
Driving in Hungary
A UK driving license is accepted in Hungary. Consider carrying an International Driving Permit if your license doesn't include a photo or is not printed in Latin characters.
Side of road
right
Motorway speed limit
130 km/h
Urban speed limit
50 km/h
Alcohol limit
0.0%
Remember: Hungary drives on the right. Take extra care at junctions if you normally drive on the left.
Health in Hungary
As a UK resident, your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) will be accepted in Hungary, giving you access to state-provided healthcare at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. However, it is still advisable to obtain comprehensive travel insurance to cover costs that the EHIC/GHIC may not, such as repatriation or private healthcare.
Generally, Hungary has good standards of healthcare. Ensure you have adequate travel insurance and a valid EHIC/GHIC. Check the Fit for Travel website for up-to-date health advice specific to Hungary. Tap water is generally safe to drink.
Cards & payments
Card payments are widely accepted in larger establishments, especially in cities. Smaller shops and rural areas may prefer cash.
Visa
High
Mastercard
High
American Express
Medium
Lost card? Call Visa: +1-303-967-1096
Tipping in Hungary
Tipping is customary in Hungary for good service. While not mandatory, it's a common way to show appreciation. Service charges are sometimes included in restaurant bills, so check before tipping.
Restaurant
10-15% of the bill if service is not included. If included, an additional 5-10% for exceptional service is appreciated.
Bar/Café
10% of the bill, or rounding up the bill for smaller amounts.
Taxi
10% of the fare or rounding up to the nearest convenient amount.
Hotel Porter
200-500 HUF per bag (~£0.45-£1.15).
Hotel Housekeeper
200-500 HUF per day (~£0.45-£1.15), left at the end of the stay.
Tour Guide
10-15% of the tour price for a good tour.
Mobile & roaming
Since Brexit, the EU's roaming regulations no longer apply to UK citizens. Check with your mobile provider about roaming charges in Hungary. They may offer specific travel packages. Consider purchasing a local SIM card for potentially cheaper data rates.
Local SIM
50GB for 7000 HUF (~£16)
Network coverage
4G, 5G
Electrical in Hungary
Voltage
230V / 50Hz
Plug types
Type C, Type F
WiFi & internet
WiFi is widely available in hotels, cafes, restaurants, and public spaces in cities.
Average speed
50 Mbps
Hungary has good internet connectivity, especially in urban areas. Free WiFi is common, but quality can vary. Mobile data is a reliable alternative.
Emergency numbers
Universal emergency
112
Police
107
Ambulance
104
Fire
105
Save 112 in your phone before travelling.
Calling Hungary
Country code
+36
To call a Budapest number (area code 1) dial 00 36 1 and then the local number.
The country code for Hungary is 36. When calling from abroad, dial your country's exit code, then 36, followed by the Hungarian number.
UK Embassy
British Embassy Budapest
Budapest, Harmincad utca 6, 1051 Hungary
Phone
Website
Recent updates
Safety and security
2 days ago
Political situation
- The specific reference to the upcoming national elections on 12 April 2026 has been removed.
Entry requirements
6 days ago
New Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES)
- The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) is now being implemented across the Schengen area, rather than being rolled out with full operation expected from 10 April 2026.
- EES is now replacing the previous system of manual passport stamping for short stays; the previous note about stamps continuing until full rollout has been removed.
Passport validity
- The description for passports with a date of issue over 10 years old now explicitly states that this makes them 'invalid for entry to the Schengen area'.
Safety and security
8 days ago
Political situation
- Added that national elections will be held on 12 April 2026.
LGBT+ travellers
- Added that Budapest Pride 2025 has been classified as illegal under existing legislation.
Frequently asked questions
While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, AtoBeach cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies. We recommend verifying details with official sources before travelling.