Note: Last update of this article occurred on December 16th.
1. Can I travel to Hungary?
As of September 1, 2020, the Hungarian Government imposed new restrictive entry measures to Hungary. These measures are reinstating border control on the Schengen border and effectively only citizens can enter (with some exceptions). The former colour code system has been abolished.
Border crossing is only possible at designated border crossing points. The designated border crossing points can be found on the website of the police under the border information menu item.
The following categories can enter Hungary without being subject to restrictions:
- Those crossing the border in freight traffic,
- Persons holding diplomatic or a diplomatic service passport or a service passport for seamen,
- Persons reporting to entry holding a private passport or other travel document for the purpose of official visit (the purpose of official visit shall be proved with documents),
- Those providing satisfactory proof while entering Hungary that they have undergone COVID-19 infection within 6 months prior to reporting to entry.
1. Border crossing regulations for Hungarian citizens
Hungarian citizens and their family members not bearing Hungarian citizenship (hereinafter referred to as Hungarian citizens) arriving in passenger traffic may undergo – unless otherwise specified by law or government decree – medical check to which he/she is required to submit.
In case of a Hungarian citizen, should a medical check reveal the suspicion of infection, the person concerned would be accommodated in a quarantine designated by the epidemiological authority or – should it not pose an epidemiological risk – in mandatory home quarantine?
In case of a Hungarian citizen, should a medical check not reveal the suspicion of infection and
- the Hungarian citizen has a home address or residence in Hungary, she/he will be placed into mandatory home quarantine for 10 days;
- the Hungarian citizen not living abroad and in the absence of home address or residence in Hungary, she/he will be placed into in a quarantine designated by the competent epidemiological authority for 10 days;
- the Hungarian citizen living abroad without home address or residence in Hungary, she/he will be placed into a quarantine or official home quarantine designated by the competent epidemiological authority for 10 days.
Upon request by the quarantined person, the competent epidemiological authority responsible for issuing the quarantine order may allow for him/her to undergo a molecular biology examination in compliance with professional medical practice – SARS-CoV-2 PCR test – performed at two different times with at least 48 hours between them in the course of the preceding 5 days in order to be exempted from quarantine rules.
The first test (molecular biological test in accordance with health professional rules – the SARS-CoV-2 PCR test) made in a Schengen member state, in the United States of America or in Canada must be taken also into account. The result of the test must be certified in Hungarian or English.
If the molecular biology examination – SARS-CoV-2 PCR test – performed at two different times proves that the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus was not detected in his/her body at the time of the tests, the epidemiological authority responsible for issuing the quarantine order shall grant an exemption from the quarantine order.
2. Persons entitled to the same rights as Hungarian citizens are:
- family members of a Hungarian citizen;
- persons entitled to permanent residence in Hungary and their family members (such a right must be certified by a document);
- persons holding a valid residence permit issued by the aliens policing authority allowing for the residence in Hungary for a duration exceeding 90 days and presents this document upon entry (“D” type visa is equivalent);
- competitors or sports professionals of a Hungarian sports organization in accordance with the Sports Act, if he/she enters the territory of Hungary after participating in an international sports event held abroad;
- persons participating in an international sports event held abroad and holding a nominative invitation letter issued by a Hungarian sports organization or delegated persons, if he/she enters the territory of Hungary after participating in an international sports event held abroad;
- an employee of a Hungarian cultural institution, if she/he enters the territory of Hungary after participating in a cultural event abroad as an artist/performer or the member of the technical staff.
Border crossing of non-Hungarian citizens
Foreign citizens arriving from abroad in passenger traffic – unless otherwise specified by law or government decree – shall not enter Hungary.
The competent local police body located at the place of the planned entry into the territory of Hungary – in case of crossing the border at Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport the BRFK XVIII District Police Headquarters – may grant an exemption upon request.
The police authority may allow entry if the applicant proves that the purpose of entry is
- participation in a Hungarian court or public authority proceedings and the participation is certified by a document of a Hungarian court or an authority,
- receiving health care service, certified by a document issued by the health care institution or by other appropriate document,
- meeting study or exam obligations under student status certified by a document which is issued by the educational institution,
- taking part in cargo related passenger traffic if the aim of the travel is either to get to the cargo transport’s point of departure, or to get home after carrying out such cargo transport duty, if certified by a document which is issued by the employer,
- participation in family events (wedding, funeral, christening),
- taking care of a relative pursuant to the Act V of 2013 on Civil Code,
- taking part in an international religious event of a special significance;
- other justifiable reasons outside that covered by point (a)-(h).
The request may be submitted
- (a) only electronically in Hungarian or English,
- (b) by a legal representative or through an agent with a certification of an authorisation granted in a private document with full probative value.
If the entry takes place at the same time and the reason for entry is the same, an authorized representative may submit an application on behalf of several persons if the receipt of the authorization of the persons concerned is attached.
In the case of crossing the border for the same reason and time, it is sufficient to submit an application for close relatives living in the same household as the applicant.
The application shall indicate the purpose of the entry, the identity document to be used for crossing the border, the identification number of the document and the application shall be accompanied by the following:
- (a) a copy of the document – where possible due to the reason of the request – certifying the purpose of entry,
- (b) the authorization letter if acting through an agent.
The request can be submitted only
- a) using the electronic administration portal sending the necessary electronic form via client gateway or company official gateway,
- b) in the absence of the possibility to use a company official gateway or client gateway: it can be submitted by filling in and submitting an intelligent e-form which available on the police website.
The competent police authorities will reject the application if
a) any doubt exists in relation to purpose of entry
2. The entry poses
- (ba) epidemiological risk,
- (bb) risk to public order or security
- (bc) risk to national security.
An appeal against the decision of the competent police authority shall be reassessed and adjudicated by the county police headquarters, which has right of adequate oversight.
The original copy of the document submitted in order to prove evidence for the justification of the application (hereinafter referred to as: the document certifying the justification) shall be presented by the person exempted from the entry ban (hereinafter referred to as: licensee) upon entry into the territory of Hungary at the request of the police officer. The entry shall be refused if the licensee does not present the original copy of the document proving the validity, or if its authenticity is in doubt at the time of entry.
Upon entering Hungary, the person may undergo a medical examination to which he/she is obliged to submit:
- a) a person who is suspected of being infected by a health inspection or test cannot enter into territory of Hungary,
- b) who is not suspected of being infected during the health inspection shall be placed in quarantine or official home quarantine designated by the competent epidemiological authority for 10 days.
At the request of the quarantined person, the epidemiological authority competent to issue the quarantine decision may allow the quarantined person to undergo, within 5 days, at least 48 hours difference, twice a molecular biology examination in compliance with professional medical practice – SARS-CoV-2 PCR test – attend in order to grant the waiver.
The first test (molecular biological test in accordance with health professional rules – the SARS-CoV-2 PCR test) made in a Schengen member state, in the United States of America or in Canada must be taken also into account. The result of the test must be certified in Hungarian or English.
If the two molecular biological tests, the SARS-CoV-2 PCR test, attest or confirm that person in the quarantine SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus was not detectable at the time of the test, the competent epidemiological authority shall issue a decision on the quarantine order to grant an exemption.
2. Special cases for some foreign citizens
Foreign citizens might apply for a special entry permission in cases listed below:
- Persons who have to present themselves in front of a court for legal purposes, proven by official documents from a Hungarian court;
- Business travel or work related entry, with an invitation letter signed by either a central governmental administrative body, an autonomous regulatory body or an autonomous state administration body;
- Persons with healthcare appointment, with an official letter from the destination healthcare institution;
- Foreign students studying in Hungarian universities;
- Travel related to freight traffic – foreign nationals can be transported to the place of origin of a transport job and can be taken back home, proven by the employer;
- Attending family events (marriage, christening, funeral);
- Taking care of a relative;
- Attending important international sports, cultural and religious events; or
- Any reasonable reasons beyond the aforementioned points.
Request of entry has to be submitted electronically on the platform at the website of the Hungarian Police. Beyond stating the reason for entry, all requests has to be accompanied with official documents. Groups travelling together may submit one application together. The aforementioned quarantine rules and requirements apply here as well.
The new regulation does not apply to transit freight traffic, entering the country with diplomatic passports and people who can prove that they went through COVID-19 within the past 6 months.
Transit traffic – if the health screening upon entry does not detect any proof of illness – can legally enter Hungary, with a proof of destination. The person has to prove that he is entitled to enter the destination country and other countries on the transit route. During the transit, travellers cannot deviate from the assigned route and have to leave Hungary within 24 hrs.
Transit route information on the website of the Hungarian police
Business travel of executives and employees working for parent- and subsidiary companies of Hungarian companies are allowed to enter Hungary without restriction if they are in the possession of sufficient proof of business.
Professional athletes (not spectators!) wishing to participate in an international sports event organized in Hungary may enter if they are in the possession of an official invitation by the organizers. Any professional athlete, invited by an official Hungarian sports organization, can enter Hungary without quarantine, if:
- They are in possession of proof of two negative PCR tests within 5 days, and 48 hrs apart;
- If they are acting in accordance with UEFA protocol, which requires one negative PCR test within 3 days prior entry.
