GoHungary Visa Requirements

Visa Entry

Hungary became a Schengen Agreement country on December 21, 2007. Chinese citizens applying for a visa to Hungary should pay attention to the following matters:

1、 Holding a residence permit in Hungary or other Schengen Agreement countries allows visa free entry into other Schengen Agreement countries and a maximum stay of 90 days;

2、 Members of diplomatic missions and international organizations recognized by Hungary can freely enter and exit within the Schengen Agreement countries and regions with their residence permits;

3、 Starting from March 3, 2016, holders of Chinese diplomatic passports who travel within the territory of EU member states (including Hungary) and stay for a maximum of 90 days per 180 days are exempt from visa requirements. The bilateral visa free agreement signed between Hungary and China regarding holders of official passports is still valid, but holders of official passports still need to apply for visas to travel to or transit through other Schengen countries that do not have visa free agreements with China. Official ordinary passport entry or transit through Hungary requires obtaining a visa in advance.

4、 Hungary is one of the first countries to pilot the resumption of outbound group tourism services for Chinese citizens. Chinese tourists holding valid residence cards or Schengen visas issued by Hungary can enter Hungary.

For specific procedures for visa application, required documents for various types of visas, and precautions, please refer to the website of the Hungarian Embassy in China:

Hungarian Embassy in China website: https://peking.mfa.gov.hu/zho

Website of the Consulate General of Hungary in Shanghai: https://sanghaj.mfa.gov.hu/chn

Website of the Consulate General of Hungary in Chongqing: https://csungking.mfa.gov.hu/chn

Customs epidemic prevention and control

1、 The following goods can be brought into Hungary duty-free from non EU member states:

（1） Alcoholic products and alcoholic beverages (passengers must be at least 17 years old) cannot exceed the following quantities: 4 liters of wine, 16 liters of beer, 1 liter of beverages with an alcohol content exceeding 22%, and 2 liters of other alcoholic beverages (with an alcohol content not exceeding 22%).

（2） Tobacco products (passengers must be at least 17 years old) cannot exceed the following quantity: Air passengers: 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigars, or 50 cigars, or 50 grams of edible tobacco; Other passengers (entering by road, rail, or waterway): 40 cigarettes, or 20 small cigars, or 10 cigars, or 50 grams of consumable tobacco.

Note: A small cigar is a cigar that weighs no more than 3 grams.

（3） Fuel (passengers must be at least 17 years old): Fuel stored in a standard fuel tank for motor vehicles upon entry; A portable container of no more than 10 liters is used to store fuel.

（4） Other products

Except for the above-mentioned goods, goods with a value not exceeding 300 euros or less than 430 euros in air transportation are eligible for duty-free entry. Passengers under the age of 15 are allowed to bring goods worth no more than 150 euros into the country duty-free.

In addition, duty-free entry items must also meet the following conditions: goods that are not regularly brought in; Goods intended for personal use or as gifts by passengers or their families; The nature and quantity of the goods should not be for trade purposes.

If any of the above conditions are not met, one must pay customs duties and other taxes (such as value-added tax, domestic goods tax, etc.) before entering the country. If the Hungarian customs department has doubts about incoming goods, they have the right to require passengers to submit a written customs declaration.

2、 Special Reminder

（1） Do not bring raw meat, meat products, food containing meat ingredients, dairy products, and products containing dairy ingredients (perishable foods) from non EU member states. Carrying such food into the country must comply with strict regulations and undergo veterinary inspection. Do not bring the above-mentioned foods when leaving the country. Usually, these foods are prohibited from being brought into third countries or subject to strict conditions and restrictions.

（2） If continuous medication treatment is required during travel within the European Union, an appropriate amount of medication prescribed by the supervising doctor that matches the travel time can be carried. Carrying addictive drugs and psychotropic drugs (such as sedatives, stimulants, and hallucinogens) requires a special permit (related issues can be consulted with the health administrative management and licensing department).

（3） Every passenger entering or leaving the European Union who carries cash (in any currency), securities, contracts, stocks, traveler's checks, etc. exceeding (including) 10000 euros must declare to Hungarian customs. The declaration form must be filled out and submitted to the local customs department (or other responsible department) where the passenger enters or leaves the European Union.

The Hungarian Customs and Finance Inspection Agency provides Chinese language services, and detailed information can be found on its website.

Residency and Naturalization

1、 Residence permit

（1） Third country citizens in Hungary can apply for a long-term residence permit. According to the Schengen Border Law, third country citizens refer to citizens who do not enjoy the principle of freedom of movement, namely non EU member state citizens, non European Economic Area member state citizens, or non Swiss citizens, as well as citizens who do not hold residence permits marked as "family members of EU citizens", "family members of European Economic Area member state citizens", or "family members of Swiss citizens".

（2） The ordinary residence permits in Hungary are divided into legal person manager residence, study residence, work residence, family reunion residence, volunteer residence, and other purpose residence, which are issued by the Hungarian Immigration Office.

（3） Third country citizens generally need to meet the following conditions to obtain a residence permit in Hungary:

1. Passport, valid for at least six months;

2. Have relevant documents or entry permits required for return or continued travel;

3. Relevant documents that can prove the purpose of entry and residence (such as student visa, work visa, manager visa, etc.);

4. Proof of residential address within Hungary (address declaration card);

5. During the period of residence in Hungary, have the ability to pay for living and living expenses from sources such as salary certificates, labor contracts, bank deposit certificates, etc., and have sufficient departure fees;

6. Have comprehensive medical insurance coverage, or be able to prove the ability to bear medical insurance costs (holding a Hungarian national social insurance card TB card, or signing a commercial insurance with a certain insurance amount);

7. Not included in the list of prohibited entry and residence in Hungary, and the Hungarian authorities believe that their entry and residence will not pose a threat to Hungary's national public security, ethnic security, and public health interests;

8. Not included in the Schengen Information System (SIS) warning sign list.

（4） Deadline for obtaining a residence permit in Hungary:

1. For holders of student visas: a residence permit of the same period will be granted based on materials such as the school's admission certificate;

2. Holders of work visas: According to the duration of the work permit (work paper), a residence permit of up to 2 years can be granted in one go;

3. Holders of a managerial visa: A one-time residence permit of up to 2 years can be granted;

4. The maximum duration of the family reunion residence permit is 3 years, and it can be extended for another 3 years upon expiration, but not exceeding the residence period of the family reunion subject. Minors born in Hungary will obtain the same type of residence permit as their parents.

2、 Permanent Residence Permit

（1） Third country citizens who meet the following conditions can obtain a settlement permit:

1. Holders of ordinary residence permits who have resided legally and continuously in Hungary for at least three years, and have left the Hungarian border for no more than 90 days per year, with a cumulative departure of no more than 270 days over three years, are eligible to apply for permanent residency in Hungary. Those who have legally resided continuously for at least five years can apply for permanent residency in the European Union.

2. Ensure residence and source of livelihood within Hungary (proof of residence requires declaration of address: applicants with property must provide property proof, and applicants renting must provide a housing contract. Proof of source of living expenses is based on the nature of their residence: if they hold a work permit, they must provide a work contract, bank deposit certificate, personal tax exemption certificate, etc.; if the company manager resides, they must provide relevant materials such as company operation certificate, annual balance sheet, company tax exemption certificate, bank asset certificate, etc.);

3. Have comprehensive medical insurance and social security, or be able to prove the ability to bear medical insurance expenses (having a Hungarian national social insurance card TB card, or signing a commercial insurance with a certain insurance amount);

According to the entry and residence laws of third countries, there are no prohibited reasons.

（2） The following third country citizens are not eligible to obtain a Hungarian settlement permit:

1. Their settlement poses a threat to the public safety or national security of Hungary;

2. There are exit or entry bans for them, or entry and residence bans marked with SIS warning signs;

3. Applicants who provide false data, untrue information, or mislead Hungarian authorities in order to obtain a residence permit.

3、 Naturalization

Hungary recognizes multiple nationalities. After obtaining the Hungarian permanent residence permit, foreigners who continue to live in Hungary for 8 years, have no criminal record and have not involved in criminal proceedings in the court, can provide tax payment certificates and property certificates, and can apply for Hungarian citizenship after passing the Hungarian Constitution Common Sense Examination and Hungarian Language Examination. Foreign children who have obtained a permanent residence permit for at least five years and can provide proof of enrollment can apply for citizenship. Foreign children born in Hungary and residing continuously for more than 5 years can apply for Hungarian citizenship with their mother before reaching adulthood. Foreign citizens who have been married to Hungarian citizens for at least 5 years and have common children can apply for citizenship. Those without common children can apply for citizenship after being married for 10 years.

Specific information can be found on the websites of the Hungarian Immigration Bureau and the Hungarian Embassy in China.

Hungary's risk level is blue (low risk)

public security

(1) Strictly prevent telecommunications fraud. Hungarian overseas Chinese and international students have repeatedly encountered telecommunications fraud, where the other party often impersonates "embassy staff" or "domestic police" to threaten and extort the victims. Please be highly vigilant and repeatedly verify the authenticity of incoming call information. Do not transfer funds or disclose personal information.

(2) Beware of pickpockets. Public places such as shops, hotel lobbies, restaurants, stations, and major tourist attractions must be guarded against theft. When traveling by car, do not place luggage or other valuable items in the car, including the trunk. Trains from Budapest to neighboring countries are prone to pickpocketing. When taking the train, it is important to check and manage your luggage and documents. Important documents and money should be kept close to your body and not placed in the overhead luggage rack. Stay at homestays booked on Airbnb and other platforms, beware of prying doors or night thieves.

(3) Beware of 'fake police'. If you encounter police questioning during your trip, while maintaining cooperation, you should ask the other party to show their identification, inquire and record their name, police number, etc., and call the 107 emergency hotline to verify. Do not easily hand over identification and property to the other party for counting;

(4) When swiping cards for consumption in restaurants, bars, nightclubs, cafes, and other places, pay attention to protecting passwords to prevent them from being copied and stolen. Refusing to actively provide or persuade services.

(5) Don't easily believe in "overseas purchasing agent" advertisements, please choose legitimate channels to purchase goods.

(6) Please pay close attention to water safety. Remember to prioritize safety when visiting waterfront attractions such as Lake Balaton and the Tisza River, and avoid swimming or playing in undeveloped or unattended areas. When participating in sightseeing activities such as taking a water speedboat, according to the management's requirements, wear a life jacket throughout the entire journey, pay attention to your feet when taking photos near the water, and do not venture into the water.

natural disaster

Hungary is located in the central part of the Carpathian Basin in Central Europe, with most of its territory consisting of plains and hills, and belongs to a temperate humid continental climate. Although the overall wind and rain in most years are favorable across the country, there are also some areas where severe winds, rain, and hail occur in summer, and winter is characterized by disasters such as ice, snow, and freezing rain. The Hungarian government has always attached great importance to improving the early warning and response system for natural disasters such as rain and snow disasters.

FDA

Hungary has good hygiene conditions, high levels of drinking water and food safety, no infectious diseases, and no quarantine regulations upon entry.

Urgent Help

Alarm: 107.

First aid: 104.

Firefighting: 105.

Call for help: 112.

Please provide emergency contact information for consular protection at the embassy or consulate in the countryclick hereSearch.

air traffic

At present, China Hungary has opened six round-trip passenger flights between Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Ningbo, Guangzhou, Xi'an and other cities to Budapest. On August 2nd, a direct flight from Shenzhen to Budapest will be launched. For detailed flight information, please refer to the airline's official website.

land transport

1、 Self driving travel

Please be aware of the entry requirements, traffic regulations, and traffic signs for vehicles from outside Hungary in advance. Complete the necessary documents for vehicle entry and driving permits, provide insurance for the relevant vehicles, and cover the entire travel process. Please store important documents such as driving permits and insurance policies properly, and promptly present them for claims in case of accidents.

If you need to take the highway, please provide your license plate number to purchase a highway ticket at the gas station before entering the highway, and keep the relevant documents (including the license plate number) for future reference. Automatic detection devices are installed on the road for identification, and there is no need to stop and pay fees. Failure to purchase tickets in advance will result in high fines.

Parking in the city requires payment of parking fees according to the parking prices in each district. Please do not park your vehicle in the no parking area to avoid causing the management department to lock your vehicle. Please familiarize yourself with the usage of the parking meter in advance. Use cash coins to issue a parking ticket and place it prominently on the front windshield of the car, or use mobile apps such as Parkl, Yettcl, Simple Pay to pay online. Please do not place valuable items in the car to avoid theft by smashing the windows.

2、 Public transportation

Budapest has four subway lines: Yellow (M1), Red (M2), Blue (M3), and Green (M4), which mainly lead to the city center. The short distance train (H É V) leads to the suburbs. There are also buses and trams in the city, which are very convenient. Public transportation such as subways, buses, and trams have no ticket sales. You can purchase secondary tickets, daily tickets, monthly tickets, season tickets, or annual tickets at subway stations or fixed ticket sales points. For those who purchase a single ticket, they should immediately code (or punch) the ticket when boarding or entering the subway station. Ticket inspectors may board or randomly check the ticket holding situation at the platform. Those who do not have a ticket or do not code (punch) it will be fined. The last four types of tickets require personal identification numbers to be entered when purchasing, and corresponding identification documents must also be carried when using them. Please do not enter the subway station when crossing the road, otherwise it may be considered as taking the train without a ticket.

water communication

Hungary is a landlocked country with no dedicated waterway transportation, but Danube River cruise ships not only add a lot of romantic colors to the Danube River, but also provide convenient conditions for tourists to enjoy the Danube River. Danube River boats are divided into two types: sightseeing boats that travel within Budapest and fast long-distance boats that travel to other cities or countries.

Urban transportation

Budapest has conventional modes of transportation such as buses, trams, trams, subways, taxis, as well as online booking services such as Uber. Public transportation is operated by BKV (Budapest Public Transport Kompany). Tickets can be purchased at newsstands and subway stations, with options including single use tickets, weekly tickets, monthly tickets, semi annual tickets, and annual tickets. Buying a Budapest card not only allows free public transportation within Budapest, but also offers many other benefits.

major city

The main tourist cities and scenic spots in Hungary include Budapest, Debrecen, Miskolc, P é cs, Sandandain, Visegrad, Sopron, G ö dler, and Lake Balaton. The peak tourist season is concentrated from April to October each year.

1、 Budapest

The capital of Hungary, located on the banks of the Danube River in central northern Hungary, is known as the "Little Paris of Eastern Europe" and the "Pearl of the Danube River". The population is about 1.9 million, accounting for one-fifth of the total population of the country. In 1872, it was formed by the merger of three cities: Old Buda, Buda, and Pest. The city is 30 kilometers long from north to south and 29 kilometers wide from east to west. The Danube River runs through the city, with Buda on the west and Pest on the east. There are 7 different styles of highway bridges on the Danube River in the urban area, among which the oldest chain bridge has a history of more than 150 years. Budapest is the political, economic, and cultural center of Hungary, as well as a national transportation hub. There are three train passenger stations, two airports, and three subways. Among them, Huangtie was the first subway on the European continent.

2、 Debrecen

The second largest city in Hungary. The university town in eastern Hungary, which became the temporary capital of the country twice in 1849 and 1944, is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country.

3、 Miskolc

The third largest city in Hungary, the economic, cultural, and technological center of northern Hungary. It has the longest pedestrian street in Europe and maintains its ancient appearance.

4、 P é cs

Located in the central area of the province of Pannonia in the ancient Roman Empire. Renowned for its charming restaurants and fine wines, it has been a part of human life since ancient times. The oldest site has a history of 6000 years.

5、 Szentendre

The Danube Bay is a famous tourist destination with beautiful scenery, serving as a summer resort and water sports center, located 20 kilometers from Budapest. The city began to become a local cultural and commercial center in the 18th century. There are over 10 museums in the city. This area is rich in wine and serves as a fruit supply base for the capital.

6、 Visegr á d

Tourist destination, 50 kilometers away from Budapest. During the ancient Roman period, it was a military stronghold. Visegrad Castle is renowned throughout Europe.

7、 Sopron

The natural environment is beautiful, the hot springs are refreshing, and the wine is well-known, adding charm to the city.

8、 G ö d ö ll ő

Built in the early 14th century, located 30 kilometers northeast of Budapest. The Princess Sisi Manor in the city is famous for its beautiful Baroque style courtyard.

traffic accident

Hungarian drivers have fast driving speeds and strong awareness of road rights, and accidents often occur on the roads. In recent years, there have been multiple cases of collision accidents caused by overseas Chinese traveling in Hungary who did not pay attention to traffic signs such as "STOP". It is necessary to be vigilant and strictly abide by traffic regulations. At the intersection of railways and highways, it is also necessary to pay attention to the signal lights in advance and slow down.

In addition, there are many rivers and lakes in Hungary, and cruise routes are busy. On the night of May 29, 2019, a serious accident occurred on the Danube River in the center of Budapest, causing more than 30 Korean tourists to be injured or killed. It is essential to raise safety awareness and wear life jackets when participating in water projects such as boating.

Commodity prices

Hungary's main mineral resource is bauxite, which ranks third in Europe in terms of reserves. In addition, there are small amounts of lignite, oil, natural gas, uranium, iron, manganese, etc. The forest coverage rate is about 18%. The agricultural foundation is good, and the main agricultural products include wheat, corn, sugar beets, potatoes, etc. Hungarian wine is renowned for its long history and rich aroma. Tourism is one of the pillar industries in Hungary and plays an important role in the national economy.

Hungary has sufficient supply of commonly used goods, and the price level is relatively low among EU member states.

The circulating currency in Hungary is the forint, and major stores do not accept US dollars or euros. 1 US dollar is equivalent to 361 forints, 1 euro is equivalent to 391 forints, and 1 Chinese yuan is equivalent to 49.7 forints (based on the July 2024 exchange rate). Please exchange foreign exchange at a legitimate exchange point with the "CHANGE" logo, and do not trust "zero transaction fee exchange". VISA card and MASTER card can be used in Hungary. China UnionPay cards can be used in major hotels, some shopping malls, and supermarkets in Hungary. Please inquire with the merchant in advance.

Insurance Medical

Hungary has good medical conditions, with hospitals in both large and small cities. Foreign citizens with residency rights in Hungary can participate in medical insurance in accordance with relevant regulations in the local area. Temporary visitors to Hungary should purchase international travel and personal accident insurance in advance. Emergency ambulance treatment is generally free, but subsequent treatment requires self payment. Most domestic insurance companies have signed direct payment agreements with major medical institutions in Budapest, and the parties involved do not need to advance medical expenses after completing their medical treatment. For non direct payment medical institutions, the parties involved need to advance payment, properly keep the medical treatment and fee certificates, and request compensation from the insurance company after returning to China. In addition to public hospitals, Budapest also has private clinics such as MediCover and FirstMed that provide 24-hour services. There are several qualified nucleic acid testing institutions in Hungary, and individuals can make appointments to apply for self funded testing.

Customs taboos

1、 Holidays and introductions

Holiday datesFestival name
January 1st	New Year's Day
March 15th	1848 Independence War Memorial Day
The first Sunday after the full moon of the Spring Equinox	Easter holiday
May 1st	Labor Day
Fifty days after Easter	Catholic Pentecost Day
August 20th	National Day (Saint Stephen's founding day)
October 23rd	Hungarian Republic Day (commemoration of the 1956 event)
November 1st	Halloween
December 25-26	Christmas Day

Communications Power

Hungary uses German standard power supply with a voltage of 220V. Double hole circular socket, domestic appliances in Hungary need to use conversion plugs. The mobile network standard in Hungary is 2G: GSM，3G：WCDMA，4G：TD-LTE。 Three mobile operators: T-Mobile, Telenor, and Vodafone.

The method of calling Hungary landline from China is 0036 area code landline number (e.g. Budapest landline: 0036-1 landline number).

The method for calling Hungary's mobile phone from abroad is 0036-30- T-MOBILE; 0036-20- Phone number (TELENOR); 0036-70- Mobile Number (VODAFONE).

The international long-distance call charges approximately 275 forints per minute.

There is no roaming for calls within Hungary, and one-way charges apply.

contact information