COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Hungary (12 April Update)

*Can a resident enter the country? *

• Yes

• Hungarian citizens, residents, and their family members are allowed to enter.

• Hungarian citizens may enter the country without restrictions if they are returning to Hungary from the following countries and can attest credibly that they were travelling for business reasons: member states of the European Union or of the European Economic Area (EEA), United States of America, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Korea, Russian, Singapore, Turkey, Ukraine, Georgia and Uzbekistan

*Can a foreigner enter the country? *

• No with exceptions

• The border is closed to most foreigners. Hungary allows the following categories of travellers to enter:

• Foreigners with a residence permit that is valid longer than 90 days or has a permanent residence permit issued by Hungary;

• Travellers with “D” type visa;

• Travellers with business or trade activity with proof of the essential business requirement for entering Hungary, e.g. an official letter from a company that includes contact details for verification purposes, or an invitation to a business event;

• Operating cargo transport;

• In the case of families travelling together, if at least one of the parties is a Hungarian citizen, the foreign family member (child, parent, grandparent, husband or wife) is permitted to enter Hungary.

• People travelling on diplomatic or official passports;

• Travellers with satisfactory proof of recovery from COVID-19 infection within six months prior to reporting to entry.

• Foreign citizens may also enter the country without restrictions if they are the citizens of one of the following countries, or are entitled to reside in one of the countries listed below for more than 90 days, and can attest credibly that they are entering the country for business reasons: United States of America, China, Russia, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Turkey, Ukraine, Singapore, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.

• Other exemptions from the ban on travel to Hungary by foreign travellers may be accessed at this link.

*Is transit allowed through the country? *

• Yes

• Travellers transiting Hungary must provide proof that transiting Hungary is for the purposes of travelling directly to another destination outside Hungary. Travellers must also explain the reason for travelling and demonstrate that they are able to transit to their final destination, by providing proof, such as a hotel reservation, proof of address in another country, a travel ticket, or similar evidence.

• If transiting by automobile, travellers can use only specified routes, dedicated petrol and rest stations, and specific border crossing points. More information can be found here.

*Is a test required on arrival? *

• Yes

• All persons entering Hungary at Ferenc Liszt International Airport (including the citizens of Schengen countries) are obliged to undergo a mandatory document check and temperature screening and, if necessary, additional medical checks.

• Unless resident in Hungary, foreign nationals will be denied entry should they show signs of COVID-19.

*Test certificate required? *

• No

• A test certificate is not required for entry but may be presented in order to limit the restrictions upon arrival.

• Non-Hungarian citizens arriving for international sports events or cultural events may enter Hungary without restriction if they possess a negative PCR test result performed within 3 days prior to entry.

• Hungarian citizens may return home from abroad without restrictions if the reason for the trip from Hungary was a business or economic activity which the Hungarian citizen is able to credibly attest, upon return to Hungary.

*Is quarantine required on arrival? *

• Yes with exceptions

• All travellers entering Hungary are required to enter home quarantine for 10 days from the date of entry.

• The quarantine period may be reduced if the traveller can present two negative COVID-19 tests within 5 days of each other but at least 48 hours apart. The travellers will have to attest with a document containing the results of two SARS-CoV-2 tests (molecular biology examination in compliance with professional medical practice) performed in Hungary at two different times with at least 48 hours between them. However, authorities may also accept documents proving that the first of the two tests were performed in one of the Schengen countries, the United States of America or Canada.

• The tests are self-funded and the local environmental health office will need to give permission for the traveller to leave quarantine for testing and also end quarantine early after showing evidence of two negative test results.

• Travellers without a residence in Hungary are subject to quarantine at a government-designated location.

• Quarantine is legally enforced, and there are penalties for breaking the rules.

• Based on the above restrictions, all incoming travellers will be subjected to 0 days of quarantine in the best-case scenario and 10 days of quarantine in the worst-case scenario.

Is a vaccination required?

• No

• A vaccination for COVID-19 is not required for entry into the country.

Insurance required?

• No

• Proof of insurance coverage for COVID-19 expenses is not required to enter the country.

Airline restrictions

• Moderate

• International commercial passenger flights are operating.

Border restrictions

• Significant

• Border entry from the EU Member States and Schengen-associated countries is generally prohibited for non-essential travel.

• The details of the travel restriction enforced during the epidemiological alert period can be accessed at this link.

Curfew restrictions

• Significant

• A State of Emergency is in effect.

• A night curfew is in place from 22:00 to 05:00 nationwide. Exceptions are made for those who can provide evidence of a need to be out after curfew, for example, a letter from an employer that they are working or commuting to and/or from work, or walking their pets within 500 metres of their residence.

Social restrictions

• Moderate

• 1.5-meter physical distance is mandatory. All gatherings are prohibited.

• Visitors are not allowed to enter social care facilities and hospitals.

• Anyone violating the rules for face masks and quarantine is subject to civil violation fines.

Internal travel restrictions

• Moderate

• Domestic travel has resumed.

• Masks are required on all public transportation, at public transportation stations, and in private taxis for everyone over the age of six.

*Non-essential shops open? *

• Yes with exceptions

• Shops are open.

• Shops are allowed to open with reduced business hours and limited customers.

• In shops, a limit of one customer per 10 square meters must be set, except in the cases of children under the age of 14 and people over the age of 65 along with those assisting someone with a disability.

*Accommodations open? *

• Yes

• Hotels are allowed to open only for business travellers. Tourist stays are not accepted at this time.

*Restaurants open? *

• No with exceptions

• Restaurants are open only for take-away or delivery services.

*Bars and cafes open? *

• No with exceptions

• Cafes and bars are closed but may offer takeaway and delivery services.

*Museums and heritage sites open? *

• No

• Museums, libraries, and cultural institutions are closed.

*Personal care services open? *

• Yes

• All services are allowed to open, including hairdressing salons​, beauty salons​, and other services.

*Places of worship open? *

• Yes

• Worship services are limited to 50 people.

*Events allowed? *

• No with exceptions

• All large events and public gatherings are banned.

• Family gatherings are allowed with a maximum of 10 people.

• Sports matches are allowed without spectators. Individual sports activities are allowed.

• Weddings may have witnesses, siblings, and parents but with no reception.

• Funerals are limited to a maximum of 50 people.

*Masks required in public? *

• Yes

• Masks (only medical and textile masks covering the nose and mouth) are required for all individuals older than six years in all indoor and outdoor public spaces and on public transportation.

• Those who breach the rule will be fined or excluded from travel. In cases of resistance, police can be summoned.

Other

• Universities are allowed to open.

• Most of the educational institutes will remain closed until at least 19 April 2021.

• Employers are advised to encourage their employees to work remotely from home whenever possible.

• Leisure facilities including theatres, gyms, cinemas, swimming pools, and zoos will remain closed.

• Public areas and parks are allowed to open.

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Airlines may have their own requirements for testing, masking, and distancing. It is recommended that travellers carry a supply of face masks since the requirement can vary by location. It is recommended that travellers practice social distancing and maintain a 6-foot distance from other individuals and avoid crowded areas. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country's embassy for information on your specific travel plans.