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General Information on Hungary

This page will provide you with just about everything you will need to know to plan your vacation or holiday to Hungary.  Just check the index below and click to find what you are looking for.  And, if you have information you believe should be added to this page, please let me know. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com

General Information
Passports and Visas
Entering Hungary
Leaving Hungary
VAT Refunds
Money Matters
Language
Weather Information
Books and Other Travel Sources
Interesting Links

 

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General Information...
Where to find general travel information.
Passports and Visas
Entering Hungary
Leaving Hungary
Money Matters
Language
Religion
Public Holidays
Time
Electricity
Telephones

Tourist Information
Contact the Hungarian National Tourist Office for travel information, tips, and destination information on Hungary.  You can also call them at 212-355-0240.

Passports and Visas
For most visitors to Hungary, a valid passport is a requirement.  If you have a question as to if you will need a passport, check with the nearest Hungarian Consulate. 

Visa Information
Entering Hungary
Leaving Hungary
Customs Regulations
Health Requirements
Currency Regulations

Visa Information
Tourists holding valid US or Canadian passports are not required to have a visa for stays of less than 90 days. Passports must be valid for at least another six months from the planned date of arrival into Hungary. All other questions should be addressed to the nearest Hungarian Consulate. 

Entering Hungary
    Customs Regulations
    Health Requirements
    Currency Regulations

Customs Regulations  
In addition to personal travel luggage, limited non-commercial quantities of goods may be brought into Hungary duty free.  What follows is a listing of those items:

Alcohol - 1 liter of high proof spirits, 1 liter of wine and 5 liters of beer

Coffee, tea, cocoa and other spices - up to 1kg each (excluding paprika and its mixtures)

Other Goods - Customs duty does not apply if  the total value of the goods, in addition to the personal travel luggage, does not exceed 27,000 Ft

Pets - Accompanying pets must have health and vaccination certification dated no more than one week prior to arrival.

Appliances - photo camera, non-professional video camera, laptop computer, portable typewriter, portable musical equipment with the necessary accessories - such as disks, records, photographic films up to 10 rolls.

Health Requirements  
No immunizations are required. 

Currency Regulations 
Foreign nationals may bring in Hungarian currency up to a value of 350,000 Ft per person without any restriction on denominations. There is no restriction on the importing of convertible currencies if the amount does not exceed the equivalent of 100,000 Ft. For the import of currencies over this amount, it is advisable to request a "Certification of Values Entered " at the time of  entry.  This will ensure that the means of payment can be taken out of the country without any problem.

Leaving Hungary
Items purchased while you were in Hungary, or received as a gift worth up to 200,000 Ft, are not subject to custom fees.  Additionally, you may want to apply for any VAT refunds due you for items purchased during your visit.

VAT Refund Information
Non-resident travelers may apply for a refund of up to 16% of the general sales tax (AFA) on goods purchased in Hungary, with the exception of works of art, collections and antiques, under the following conditions:
 
- The single or total value of the goods on one original invoice, including AFA, must exceed 50,000 Ft. 

- Not more than 90 days may elapse between the time of purchase and the time of export. 

- The goods must be taken out of the country in new condition; that is, they may not be used in Hungary. 

- At the time of departure the purchase must be presented to the customs officer, together with the AFA refund claim form at the time of departure.

- At the time of departure the purchase must be presented to the customs officer, together with the AFA  refund claim form, a detailed fiscal invoice and the Tax Free Envelope. These 3 items must be obtained from the place of purchase.

You should also retain the receipts of your currency exchange for Ft and enclose it with your documents.  If using a credit card, enclose the credit card receipt. Make sure to get the a customs stamp or the refund is not possible. If departing Hungary by plane, you should go to the customs office immediately after receiving your boarding pass at check-in and before you pass security control.  You may receive your VAT refund in cash immediately at the airport  (look for the VAT refund desk at the IBUSZ office) or by bank check sent to your home address or as a payment directly to your credit card. Mail refunds must be requested no more than 6 months after date of purchase. 

More information, contact Global Refund (800) KNOW-VAT.  Website:  www.globalrRefund.com
E-mail: taxfree@us.globalrefund.com.

Money Matters
    Currency
    Banks and Currency Exchange
    Credit Cards, Debit Cards and Checks 
    Tipping
    VAT Information

Currency  
The unit of currency in Hungary is the Forint (Ft).  Currently, the exchange rate (as of January 2000) for U.S. dollars is:  US$1= approx. 250Ft. For up-to-date currency exchange rates for all foreign currencies, check www.travlang.com/money/. I find it is always good to have some of the local currency on hand when you arrive in any foreign country.

 

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Banks, Currency Exchange  
Banks are open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.  All banks are closed on Saturdays. Money can also be exchanged at exchange offices, hotel reception desks and travel offices. Currency exchange machines and ATMs operate after hours in Budapest and other major cities. It is recommended that all money exchange receipts be kept.

For the best exchange rates, use banks or ATMs as much as possible using the currency exchange offices as little as possible.  It will normally cost you more to exchange currency at your hotel, in stores, and in restaurants.

Credit Cards, Debit Cards and Checks 
Major credit cards (AmEx, Visa, Mastercard, Diners, Cirrus) can be used in the member shops and businesses. Look for the logo displayed at the entrance. ATMs operate 24 hours a day. Major credit cards and banking cards are accepted. There is usually a commission of 1% for cashing travelers checks at banks. Please note that most stores will  not accept travelers checks. 

Tipping  
Restaurant prices in Hungary generally do not include a service charge and it is therefore customary to give a tip, generally equivalent to 10-15% of the bill. For all other tipping, the same guidelines are applicable as one would use in the USA.

Language
Although Hungarian is the native language, German and English are widely understood. 

Click here for language helps, dictionaries, electronic translators, language software and other helps for learning a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip more. Jim.

Religion 
The majority of the people in Hungary are Roman Catholic.  About 65%.  Protestants make up about 25% of the total population.

Public Holidays in 2000 

Time 
To figure the time for Hungary, take Greenwich Mean Time and add 1 hour.  United States Eastern Standard Time: + 6 hours 
 
Electricity 
The voltage is 220 V/50Hz with European two-prong plug. Electrical equipment of 110V/60Hz requires the use of an adapter and/or voltage converter. 

Telephone and Fax Information
The country code for Hungary is 36.  For Budapest, the area code is 1.  For international pre-dial:  00 + country code + local number.  For domestic long distance pre-dial:  06 + area code + local number.

Public phones require 10, 20, 50 or 100 Forint coins, or a pre-purchased phone card (sold at newsstands, supermarkets, hotels and post offices).

Fax machines are available for tourists in main post offices and in many city hotels' Business Centers. 

Important telephone numbers

Weather Information...
The climate in Hungary is considered Continental.  The average temperatures (listed in Fahrenheit) are below: 

Click here for language helps, dictionaries, electronic translators, language software and other helps for learning a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip more. Jim.

Click on Travel Books to find your favorite travel book, search for the perfect book to help with your travel plans, or find the maps you need!  And, if you cannot find the book or map you need -- Contact Jim!


Interesting Links

HotelsHungary.com - Offers discount hotel reservations for Budapest and other cities in Hungary. We offer locally negotiated prices and local customer support.

Click here for language helps, dictionaries, electronic translators, language software and other helps for learning a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip more. Jim.

Country Estate Szabad Föld - Discover Hungary! Visit our site and discover Hungary and the romantic Country Estate Szabad Föld!

Date this page was last edited: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 14:27:42

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