Flag of Hungary

Hungary

Hungary is a landlocked country in central Europe, on the Danube and the Great Hungarian Plain, with Budapest, on both banks of the river, as its capital. Hungarian, a Finno-Ugric language unrelated to its neighbours', is the language, the forint is the currency, and Hungary is a member of the EU and the Schengen Area but not of the eurozone.

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  • CapitalBudapest
  • CurrencyHUF Ft
  • TimezoneCentral European Time (UTC+1; summer UTC+2)
  • LanguagesHungarian
  • Population9.6M (2022)
  • Area93,011 km²
  • RegionEurope · Eastern Europe
  • Phone code+36
  • Native nameMagyarország
  • Electricity230 V
  • Plug typesEuroplug · Schuko
  • Driving sideright
  • Internet domain.hu

Visa Requirements for Hungary

Holders of American, British, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand passports need no visa for Hungary and may stay up to 90 days in any 180 across the Schengen Area, for tourism or business. Irish citizens move freely as citizens of the EU, and Indian and Nigerian travellers need a Schengen visa issued before the journey. Longer stays, for work, study or family, need a national visa and a Hungarian residence permit.

Before you travel

  • 90 days in any 180

    A visitor whose passport needs no visa may stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area, Hungary included, for tourism or business, and may not work; the stay is recorded electronically at the border.

  • The passport

    The passport must have been issued within the last ten years and remain valid for three months beyond the departure from the Schengen Area; proof of accommodation, funds and a return ticket may be asked for.

  • Changing planes in Budapest

    Nigerian travellers changing planes at Budapest airport without entering the Schengen Area need an airport transit visa, unless a valid visa or residence permit of a country on the exemption list frees them from it.

  • Where to apply

    A Schengen visa is applied for at the Hungarian embassy or consulate with the application form, passport photographs, a travel itinerary, proof of accommodation, travel insurance at the Schengen minimum and proof of funds.

  • Longer stays

    Stays beyond 90 days, for work, study or family, need a Hungarian national visa (Type D) before arrival, followed by a residence permit in Hungary.

Visa types

Visa-Free Entry (Schengen)

Up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the whole Schengen Area, Hungary included; the passport valid three months beyond departure.

For tourism, business, conferences and visits to friends and family on a passport that needs no Schengen visa.

Free movement

No limit

For Irish citizens, who live, work and travel in Hungary freely as citizens of the EU, on a passport or national ID card.

Schengen Visa (Type C)

Up to 90 days within any 180-day period, valid for all the Schengen countries; single, double or multiple entry.

For short stays, tourism, business, cultural events and conferences, on a passport that needs a Schengen visa.

National Visa (Type D)

Leads to a residence permit; Hungarian rather than Schengen-wide, though it allows transit through the other Schengen countries.

For stays beyond 90 days, for work, study, family reunification or residence in Hungary, on the documents of the purpose.

Working Holiday

Up to a year

For young Australians and New Zealanders, under bilateral agreements, to travel in Hungary and work to fund the stay.

Guides

Budapest is the headliner, a city split by the Danube between Buda's hills and Pest's boulevards, with thermal baths, ruin bars and centuries of Ottoman and Habsburg building. Beyond the capital, Hungary opens into wine country, lake country and steppe: Tokaj, Eger and Villány for wine, Lake Balaton for the summer, and the puszta of the Hortobágy for the herding traditions of the Great Plain. The country is compact enough that a single Budapest base reaches most of it by day trip. Hungary is in the EU and Schengen but keeps the forint.

Hungary travel guide →

Eger's wine, the living steppe and the route from one Budapest base with its Tokaj exception.

Money in Hungary →

The forint, cards in the cities, cash in the country, and the home-currency offer.

Eating in Hungary →

The Dobos torte's story, pálinka, halászlé, and Szeged's paprika and salami.

Getting around Hungary →

Budapest's three stations, the day trips by train, Balaton's rail-and-ferry loop, and when a car earns its place.

Health & safety in Hungary →

A low-crime country, the one nightlife scam to know, the late-summer pollen, medical care and winter roads.

Cities & planning

BudapestBudapest

Airports

Budapest Ferenc Liszt Airport (BUD)BUD

Plan your trip

FlightsBudapest (BUD)HotelsBudapestTrainsTrain ticketsAttractionsTickets & tours

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Regions

Regions · 1
Budapest
Regions · 2
EgerPécs

Embassies & missions

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa for Hungary?

Not for a visit of up to 90 days in any 180 across the Schengen Area on a US, UK, Canadian, Australian or New Zealand passport; Irish citizens move freely as EU citizens. Indian and Nigerian travellers need a Schengen visa issued before the journey.

Planning a trip to Hungary? Compare hotels and flights and book in minutes.

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Visaja keeps this page's contact details and visa guidance under continuous review — still, requirements can change at short notice, so confirm the essentials with the mission or the official government portal before you travel.