Travel Information Hungary

Hungary is a very beautiful country with a pleasant climate and an incredibly diverse nature. There is a lot to see and some activities that will turn your stay into an adventure. But of course, you can also relax. You can stroll through various cities, walk in the national park or go hiking, visit a cave, watch animals or bathe in steaming thermal baths. This article covers the information you need for your trip to Hungary, as well as recommendations and tips.

The most important facts at a glance

• You need a vignette.

• The blood alcohol limit when driving is 0.0.

• In Hungary, you may not drink alcohol everywhere in public.

• Smoking is prohibited in restaurants, cafés and bars.

• The consumption, trade and possession of drugs (even small amounts) is punished in Hungary with significantly higher penalties.

• The currency in Hungary is the forint.

• Border controls are not uncommon, valid identity documents are mandatory.

• A pet passport is also required for certain animals (dogs, cats, ferrets). This serves, among other things, as proof that the animal has been vaccinated against rabies.

• Hungary is generally considered safe for tourists.

Entry requirements

To enter Hungary, German citizens only need an identity card or passport that is still valid for at least 6 months. Children need a children's passport.

Language

The official language in Hungary is Hungarian. Hungarians themselves call their language "Magyar". About 10 million Hungarians speak Hungarian.

Although the German language has left some traces in Hungarian, the two languages differ greatly from each other. Hungarian is considered one of the most difficult languages to learn. The language's structures are said to make it so difficult, for example through 40 cases compared to the 4 cases in German. Nevertheless, the language is built up in a very logical and harmonious way.

Driving in Hungary

Traffic rules

Even though many traffic rules match those in Germany, there are some important differences. You should be aware of these to ensure your safety and avoid fines. In this section, we list the most important differences for you.

• The blood alcohol limit is 0.0.

• Although there is no requirement for winter tires, their use can be mandated with appropriate signage.

• If your vehicle already has damage upon entering Romania, you must be sure to report this at the border crossing and have it documented. Vehicles that show visible damage after the trip are often only allowed to leave the country with a police damage confirmation.

• A German driving licence is sufficient

• In addition to the driving licence, you must carry the vehicle registration certificate part I. We also recommend bringing the IVK (International Insurance Card).

• Carrying a high-visibility vest is mandatory.

If you would like to learn more about the traffic rules and driving behaviour, or read a detailed article on individual topics related to the traffic rules, feel free to take a look at the traffic rules here.

Tolls and vignette

Whether you need a digital vignette in Hungary depends on which roads you use during your trip. On Hungarian motorways and on expressways marked with an "M", electronic vignettes are required for all motor vehicles up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight, which are automatically checked via the license plate.

Motor vehicles over 3.5t gross vehicle weight are subject to the distance-based toll (HU-GO system) and cannot use a vignette.

The corresponding fees depend on the respective vehicle class that your vehicle falls into. The following classes apply:

• D1M: Motorcycles (weekly and monthly vignette)

• D1: Motorcycles (annual vignette) / Cars and motorhomes of vehicle class M1 up to 3.5t gross vehicle weight and up to 7 seats (including with trailer)

• D2: Commercial vehicles (vehicle class N1) as well as all motor vehicles up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight that do not fit into any other category, plus – from 1 January 2026 – motorhomes over 3.5 t gross vehicle weight.

• U: Trailers up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight of vehicles in class D2

To cover the costs of maintaining the motorways and expressways in Hungary, there is a vignette requirement. In Hungary, the vignette is only available digitally; there are no sticker vignettes to attach to the windscreen.

With us, you have the opportunity to purchase a vignette for Hungary completely stress-free. Here you will find more information and explanations about the toll and vignette requirement in Hungary.

Charging and refuelling

Hungary has a well-developed network of petrol stations. It covers urban as well as rural areas. The largest petrol station chains include OMV, Aral, BP, Shell and MOL. These providers are present nationwide and offer all common fuel types.

There are now also over 2000 charging stations for charging electric vehicles in Hungary. Large cities such as Budapest, Győr and Debrecen are particularly well served. There are also many charging stations along the M1, M3 and M7 motorways. In rural areas, the network still has room for improvement.

In remote regions such as the Balaton Highlands or the Puszta, the number of petrol stations and charging stations is significantly lower. Therefore, plan your refuelling and charging breaks in advance. This way you avoid unnecessary detours and frustration.

The terms for fuel in Hungary are as follows:

• Super: Szuper Benzin

• Super Plus: Szuper Plus / 98 Oktan

• Diesel: Dizel / Diesel

At most petrol stations in Hungary, you can pay both in cash and by credit card. However, please note that the forint (HUF) is the official currency of Hungary. Payment in euros is therefore only accepted at a few petrol stations. Mobile payment methods such as Apple Pay or Google Wallet are now also widespread, especially in larger cities.

Find out more about refuelling and charging in Hungary here.

Safety and health

Crime

Petty crime such as pickpocketing occurs particularly in markets, train stations, on public transport, in shopping centres and at touristy, crowded places.

Especially around Lake Balaton, break-ins and thefts from holiday apartments are not uncommon, sometimes even while the occupants are present.

Keep a close eye on your valuables and pay with as little cash as possible. In large crowds, you should be especially careful with your belongings. Do not leave valuables or documents behind in your holiday apartment if you're out for a longer period. You should only park your vehicle in guarded car parks, and be cautious of strange emails, calls, alleged prize notifications and chance acquaintances who offer you invitations (for example, to a club - you may then face high bills if you don't ask about the price beforehand).

Border controls

You can expect border controls. Especially when entering Austria, Slovakia and Slovenia. You should check the validity of your travel documents before your trip (a minimum validity of 6 months is still required) and of course carry them with you. Failure to meet these requirements may result in fines and other penalties. A pet passport is also required for certain animals (dogs, cats, ferrets). This serves, among other things, as proof that the animal has been vaccinated against rabies.

Vaccination protection

There are no mandatory vaccinations for entry into Hungary. Nevertheless, some vaccinations are recommended. Before your trip, find out about the current status and requirements.

Medical care

Despite well to very well trained doctors, the standards of medical care may differ from Western European standards. Medical care is not always at the highest level, and language and communication can also be an issue. However, private facilities offering good treatment can be found in the major cities. Bring your health insurance card with you and take out travel health and repatriation insurance for the duration of your stay. Nevertheless, Hungary is considered safe.

Legal particularities

The consumption, trade and possession of drugs (even small amounts) is punished in Hungary with significantly higher penalties.

Climate and best time to visit

Hungary has a transitional climate between the continental climate in the east, the maritime climate in the west and the Mediterranean climate in the south. The generally temperate continental climate results in hot summers and cold winters.

The temperatures are very similar to those in Germany. The coldest month is January, with an average of -4°C. From October onwards, the days become noticeably shorter and it gets colder. Between June and August it's the warmest, with summer temperatures of around 25 to 27°C, and June sees the most rainfall.

The best time to travel is from May to September.

Geographical location

Hungary is located in the middle of Europe and borders several countries. Hungary borders Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia.

Hungary is a landlocked country, which means the country has no connection to the open sea.

In the west, the foothills of the Alps shape Hungary's landscape, while the north is characterised by the Mátra Mountains. Kékes (1014 m) is the highest mountain in the country.

There is no time difference between Hungary and Germany, as both countries are in the same time zone.

Currency

The currency in Hungary is the forint (HUF). In addition to cash (forint), credit cards and some debit cards are usually accepted as means of payment.

Attractions

Hungary has several attractions to offer. Here we list five of the most popular attractions for inspiration.

• Lake Balaton: The largest inland lake in Europe. Along its 179 km shoreline stretch picturesque beaches, hotels, clubs, various shops and restaurants. Several festivals also take place there in summer.

• Budapest: The capital of Hungary. Whether you want to stroll along the banks of the Danube or try Hungary's culinary specialities. In this diverse capital, there's something for everyone. Beautiful photo spots and numerous activities make it almost impossible not to like this city.

• Baradla: A stalactite cave in Aggtelek National Park (in northeastern Hungary). Within this already very impressive cave system is currently the tallest stalagmite in the world. There are a total of 200 stalactite caves in the system.

• Sódomb (Salt Hill): Basins with steaming thermal water. The region's most famous thermal bath impresses with its steaming thermal water basins and delights visitors with various spas set in nature.

• Bükk National Park: A gigantic forest area. To get to know Hungary's nature, the Bükk National Park is ideal. You can explore the national park by bicycle or on one of the many hiking trails, getting to know Hungary's flora and fauna in the best possible way.

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant trip!

Hungary is a wonderful country with diverse nature, breathtaking landscapes, worthwhile cities and great activities. A visit is definitely worthwhile! Be sure to remember a vignette to save yourself the stress and avoid fines. You can find more information on the toll in Hungary in our guide. Feel free to also use our route planner to plan your trip optimally and get shown the right toll products. If you have any questions, we are available at any time via email.

If you're interested in more exciting topics about Hungary, feel free to check out our guide and discover interesting articles such as Hungary's culinary specialities, the most popular cities in Hungary or worthwhile natural sights.