ABOUT HUNGARY

Hungary is a Central European country, rich in history and culture. Its capital, Budapest, is famous for grand architecture, including landmarks like the Parliament Building and the Chain Bridge that spans the Danube River. 

The country is known for its thermal baths, with many natural hot springs, especially in Budapest, which has been a spa destination for centuries. 

Hungarian, or Magyar, stands out as one of Europe’s more unique languages, belonging to the Finno-Ugric family. Hungary’s cuisine is celebrated for hearty dishes such as goulash, with paprika playing a key role in many recipes. Wine lovers appreciate Hungary’s long-standing tradition, particularly in regions like Tokaj, which produces the famed sweet wine. 

Having been part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Hungary’s history reflects a blend of influences from various empires, including Roman and Ottoman. Lake Balaton, the largest freshwater lake in Central Europe, remains a favourite holiday spot. Hungary also boasts a rich musical heritage, with composers like Franz Liszt and Béla Bartók shaping classical music. Today, Hungary is a member of the European Union, balancing its cultural legacy with modern progress.

Hungary’s sporting heritage, especially in motorsport, is highlighted by its long-standing association with Formula 1 and MotoGP. The Hungaroring, located near Budapest, has been a key fixture on the Formula 1 calendar since 1986, making it one of the longest-running venues in the sport’s modern history. 

On the other hand, the Balaton region is set to become an important hub for MotoGP, with a new track near Lake Balaton being part of the calendar for the 2025 season. MotoGP fans in Hungary have long awaited a dedicated venue for the sport, and the upcoming facility will bring world-class two-wheeled racing to the country, marking a significant milestone for motorsports in the region.

General details about Hungary

Capital: The capital city of Hungary is Budapest.
Population: Hungary has a population of approximately 9.6 million people.
Language: The official language of Hungary is Hungarian (Magyar).
Currency: The official currency is the Hungarian Forint (HUF).
Area: Hungary covers an area of approximately 93,030 square kilometres (35,920 square miles), making it a medium-sized country in Central Europe.

Entry into Hungary

If you're a citizen of a European Union member state, travelling to Hungary will be straightforward. Since Hungary is part of the Schengen zone, you can enter the country without any visa requirements or travel restrictions. You won’t even need a passport—just your national ID card will suffice for entry.

If you are from a country outside the EU/EEA, the entry rules vary. Citizens from visa-exempt countries (e.g., US, UK, Canada, Australia) can enter Hungary without a visa for short stays (up to 90 days within a 180-day period) for tourism, business, or family visits. You’ll need a valid passport. Citizens from countries not on the visa-exempt list must apply for a Schengen visa prior to entering Hungary. This visa allows stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period for short-term visits.

Currency

The Hungarian Forint (HUF) is the official currency of Hungary. It was introduced in 1946 and is issued by the Hungarian National Bank. The Forint often fluctuates in value, typically exchanging around 378 to 400 HUF per Euro and 350 to 370 HUF per US Dollar. 

While Hungary is part of the European Union, it has not adopted the Euro, so the Forint remains the primary currency. Coins and banknotes come in a range of denominations, and visitors are advised to use the Forint for transactions, as businesses accepting foreign currencies usually offer less favourable rates.

Electricity

In Hungary, 230 V AC with a frequency of 5 Hz is standard, as it is throughout continental Europe.

Mobile services

Hungary is home to several mobile service providers, each offering a range of prepaid and postpaid plans along with mobile internet services. The largest of these is Magyar Telekom, often referred to as T-Mobile, which provides extensive nationwide coverage, including both 4G and 5G networks. Another significant operator is Yettel Hungary, formerly known as Telenor, which offers a wide array of mobile services, including voice and data plans, as well as 5G, with flexible and competitive pricing. 

Vodafone Hungary is another leading provider, offering broad network coverage across the country and a variety of mobile services, including 5G, with both prepaid and postpaid options available. DIGI Mobil, a smaller and newer provider, focuses on affordable plans, especially data-heavy services, although its coverage is more limited compared to the bigger operators. SIM cards from these networks can be easily purchased in stores or online. EU visitors can take advantage of the "Roam Like at Home" policy, allowing them to use their home mobile services in Hungary without additional roaming fees.

However, if you don't have an EU number and need mobile data, we recommend apps like Airalo.

Important telephone numbers

When in Hungary, it's important to know some key telephone numbers along with the country code (+36):

• Emergency (Police, Ambulance, Fire): 112
• Ambulance: 104
• Fire Department: 105
• Police: 107
• Roadside Assistance (Magyar Autóklub): 188
• Siófok Hospital: +36 84 501 700

Interesting facts about Hungary

Inventors and Innovations
Hungary is known for producing many famous inventors. For example, the Rubik’s Cube was invented by Hungarian architect Ernő Rubik, and the ballpoint pen was invented by László Bíró, a Hungarian journalist.

Thermal Springs
Hungary has one of the largest networks of thermal springs in the world. Budapest alone has over 100 natural thermal springs, and the country is famous for its baths, such as the Széchenyi and Gellért Baths.

The Hungarian language
Hungarian, known as "Magyar," is one of the most difficult languages to learn due to its complex grammar and vocabulary. It's part of the Uralic language family, unrelated to most European languages, making it unique in the region.

Lake Balaton
Hungary is home to the largest lake in Central Europe, Lake Balaton. It's a popular destination for locals and tourists during the summer.

Hungarian paprika
Hungary is famous for its paprika, a spice made from ground peppers. Paprika is a staple in Hungarian cuisine and is widely used in dishes like goulash.

Oldest metro line
Budapest has the second-oldest underground railway system in the world, after London. The M1 metro line, also known as the Millennium Underground, was opened in 1896 and is still in use today.

Hungary and Nobel Prizes
Hungarians have won more than 10 Nobel Prizes, a remarkable achievement for a relatively small country. These range across fields such as medicine, chemistry, and literature.

Architectural landmarks
Hungary is home to some stunning architecture, including the Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest, one of the largest and most beautiful parliament buildings in the world.

Wine tradition
Hungary has a long history of winemaking, with the Tokaji wine region producing the famous Tokaji Aszú, often referred to as the "wine of kings."

Central location
Hungary is landlocked and shares its borders with seven countries: Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, and Slovenia, making it a key location in Central Europe.