Security level:
Hungary has a low crime rate. Personal belongings should be kept safe on public transport. There is a risk of pickpocketing. Thieves mainly target electronic devices, mobile phones, cash, bank cards, and identity documents. There are frequent cases of luggage being stolen on trains and at motorway service stations (especially on the route from Szeged to Hódmezővásárhely).

Healthcare:

Private healthcare facilities in the country offer high-quality services and are mainly located in Budapest. Public healthcare is free for people with health insurance and is of good quality in urban areas. The network of pharmacies is well developed.

EU citizens applying for free treatment must present a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), but this only covers emergency medical care.

Before traveling, it is essential to check what your health insurance covers, if you have any, and whether it can cover expenses that the EHIC does not cover, including treatment in private clinics, certain procedures, or repatriation costs.

Specifics of the local legislation:
According to Hungarian Law No. 39 of 2001 on the entry and residence of foreign nationals in Hungary, Chapter VI, Article 86(1) states that the operating owner transporting foreign nationals by air and water, as well as the land carrier, shall bear administrative and financial responsibility for the validity of the travel documents and visas of the citizens they transport.

Customs requirements:

Up-to-date information on customs requirements for Hungary can be found on the official website of the Hungarian National Tax and Customs Administration (NAV): https://nav.gov.hu/.

The permitted import of alcohol into Hungary is: 1 liter with an alcohol content of over 22%; 2 liters with an alcohol content of up to 22%; 4 liters of wine; 16 liters of beer.

Customs officials have the right to confiscate any goods that exceed the duty-free limits and to impose an administrative fine. The exact amount of the fine may vary depending on the quantity of goods and other circumstances.

Prohibited goods for import into Hungary are: meat and dairy products from countries outside the EU; potted plants or plants with roots; narcotic substances; pornographic materials; unlicensed weapons.

If a customs officer at a border crossing point requests an unregulated amount from a Bulgarian driver of a motor vehicle, the event and circumstances can be described in a complaint to the Hungarian National Tax and Customs Administration (NAV), which must include the badge number of the customs officer. It is recommended that the complaint be submitted in English or Hungarian to facilitate its processing by the Hungarian authorities.

The main rules relating to the import of firearms and ammunition used by civilians can be found in English in the NTCA's passenger information guide at the following web address: https://nav.gov.hu/kiadvanyok/utastaj/idegennyelvu-utastajekoztatok. 

Advice on cash amounts for:

1. Travel within the EU:
   There is no legal requirement to declare portable cash. However, the authorities have the right to ask questions about the origin of funds exceeding €10,000 (or the equivalent in another currency). The aim is to prevent money laundering.
2. Traveling to/from/through a country outside the EU:
   It is mandatory to declare to the customs authorities all portable cash amounts equal to or exceeding €10,000 (or the equivalent in another currency).

Road traffic:

Heavy traffic and frequent road checks by Hungarian authorities create conditions for long delays at border crossings between Hungary and Serbia. The passage of buses through the main Horgos-Röszke border crossing point, which is one of the busiest in Europe, can be extremely slow, especially during peak seasons, as the E75 corridor is a key artery between Western and South-Eastern Europe. Crossing is done in a single lane, with border checks carried out in order of arrival.

Hungary is the external border of the Schengen area with Serbia and exercises strict border control. Entering or leaving Hungary by motor vehicle can take a long time, especially given the sharp increase in land traffic through Hungary during the Easter holidays, at the end of the summer holiday season in August and September, at the start of the regular school year in September, and during the Christmas and New Year holidays, when EU citizens travel along the E75 corridor to and from Serbia. It is advisable to use alternative routes and border crossing points for faster passage.

Organized international bus trips to/through Hungary

The tour operator is responsible for informing its customers about possible delays of several hours at Hungarian border crossings. The tour operator shall provide for the basic needs of travelers, such as food, water, and medicine during the stay, etc. The carrier is responsible for the technical condition of the bus - air conditioning, fuel, etc.

For those traveling with personal vehicles to/through Hungary

Hungary uses electronic vignettes. This means that there is no need to place a physical sticker on the windshield of the car.

Electronic vignettes can be purchased online at the official website https://toll-charge.hu or at any gas station for 10 days, 1 month, or 1 year.

Vignettes must be purchased before using toll roads, as the system works automatically via cameras located on the motorways that read the registration number. Traveling without a valid vignette incurs a heavy fine of around HUF 70,000 without warning.

The Hungarian authorities carry out intensive road checks.

Penalties are imposed for irregular documents, faulty vehicles, overloading, lack of appropriate permits to provide transport services, unpaid road tolls, and illegally used vignettes (paid vignette fee that does not correspond to the category or registration number of the vehicle in question).

Bulgarian citizens purchasing and transporting second-hand cars from Western Europe (Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, etc.) to Bulgaria should use platforms and car transporters, and should familiarise themselves with the requirements for loading, safety and permissible weight, especially when transiting through Hungary.

Overloading a car transporter leads to serious fines and detention of the vehicle.

To the attention of Bulgarian carriers performing transport operations to/from/through the territory of Hungary

When roadside checks are carried out on Hungarian territory, every driver of a vehicle must carry the originals of Part I and Part II of the vehicle registration certificate. Copies of these documents are not accepted as valid, even if they are certified by a notary.

The Hungarian authorities consider Part I and Part II to be a single, indivisible document. Part I contains information on technical inspections, passenger numbers, and load capacity, as well as specific codes that are important for the inspection.

If both parts are not presented, the Hungarian police will impose a corresponding fine.

Traffic, especially in Budapest and other large cities, is heavy.

Statistics show nearly 600 deaths each year, largely due to careless driving. Police patrols work around the clock on Hungary's roads. There are also numerous cameras monitoring compliance with speed limits. The maximum speed limit in the city for a passenger car is 50 km/h, on a first-class road 90 km/h, and on a motorway 130 km/h.

Children under 12 years of age are not allowed to sit in the front seat.

Seat belts are mandatory for all passengers.

It is a legal requirement to drive with your headlights on, even during the day. This rule applies all year round.

In Budapest and other large cities, there are fewer opportunities to turn left directly on busy boulevards, which is done to reduce traffic congestion. Instead, roundabouts or more complex traffic patterns are often used.

Parking in Hungary

Parking, especially in Budapest, is complicated. The most convenient ways to pay for parking are via the Parker mobile app

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.smartlynx.parker&hl=bg&pli=1 

or at parking meters, which only accept Hungarian coins.

Violators are subject to heavy fines, which can be paid in cash or by bank card at Magyar Posta (Hungarian Post) offices.

When stopped by the specialized police and found to be in violation, drivers should know that as participants in administrative-penal proceedings, they have the right to request that the document presented to them for signature be written in Bulgarian, or otherwise that an interpreter be called.

In Hungary, there is zero tolerance for alcohol for all drivers of motor vehicles. Unlike other European countries, even the smallest amount of alcohol in the blood of a driver of a motor vehicle is punishable. If a violation is detected, high fines are imposed, driving licenses may be revoked, and in more serious cases, criminal liability may be incurred.

When controlling traffic, the police may impose a fine of between HUF 10,000 and HUF 300,000 (Hungarian forints) without issuing an official order. This is called an "on-the-spot fine" and is a common practice, especially for foreign citizens. The fine is paid in cash or by card to the police officer, who issues a receipt.

Until the fine is paid or a deposit is made for the monetary claim, the vehicle may be confiscated or impounded without a ruling being issued. The authority handling the case informs the driver of the amount of the fine imposed, the location where the vehicle will be impounded and the route to get there, as well as the legal provisions relating to the procedure. The information shall be provided in writing in one of the following languages: Hungarian, English, German, or Russian.

If the authority decides to confiscate the vehicle, the registration certificate shall be handed over to the authority for the duration of the detention. At the same time, the driver shall be issued with a document confirming that the vehicle has been confiscated or detained and that the registration certificate has been seized. If the driver does not claim the vehicle registration certificate issued by a foreign authority within three days of the release of the vehicle, the authority handling the case shall send the registration certificate and the vehicle number to the authority that issued it.

In case it is found during a traffic control that the driver or the registered owner of the vehicle has not paid a fine imposed in a previous administrative procedure, the authority acting on the case shall confiscate or impound the vehicle.

Since 1 July 2013, Hungary introduced HU-GO, an electronic distance-based toll collection system (DBT) in which tolls are proportional to the distance actually traveled.

The electronic system has been introduced on certain sections of the Hungarian public road network (motorways, highways, main roads) with a total length of 6,513 km. The system, called HU-GO, complies with the requirements of the European Union and the directives of the European Electronic Toll Service (EETS).

As of January 1, 2016, an amendment to the law has come into force, introducing the following change: When the Hungarian police detects a violation of the use of roads in Hungary without the right to do so, instead of the previous 90 days, it has the right to consider the offense within 180 days after the initiation of the relevant procedure. After the expiration of the 180 days, the initiated procedure loses its validity.

Useful information in several languages can be found on the official website of HU-GO: https://www.hu-go.hu/articles/category/news_bul.

Information about road tolls can be obtained by calling the customer service center at +36 (36) 587-500.

Information about fines and the appeal procedure

Appeals against fines imposed for unpaid vignette fees can be made via the following email address: ugyfel@hu-go.hu.

The payment of tolls is mandatory for trucks with a maximum permissible gross weight of over 3.5 tons. The amount of the fee, proportional to the actual distance traveled, depends on the type of road used (motorway, highway, or main road), the category of the motor vehicle (J2, J3, J4), and its environmental classification. To calculate the exact toll for a given route, you can use the official HU-GO online calculator.

Practical advice:

In a foreign country, you should follow the local laws and customs. During your stay, you're under the jurisdiction of the host country.

Before traveling abroad, it is recommended that Bulgarian citizens make copies/digital photos of their personal documents, including their Bulgarian birth certificate with their personal identification number (EGN) entered on it.

Anyone traveling to Hungary is required to carry a valid passport or valid ID card. Drivers should ensure that their driving license has not expired. European driving licenses are mutually recognized within the EU.

Before leaving the Republic of Bulgaria, it is advisable to take out health, travel, road or other insurance.

During the summer, there is an increase in thefts in crowded places such as train stations, public transport, gas stations, parks, etc. Therefore, it is advisable to always carry money and personal documents on your person.

Due to an increase in cases of theft and violent robbery of money, belongings, and documents in unguarded recreational areas or gas stations on the main highways of Hungary, Bulgarian citizens traveling through Hungarian territory should exercise increased caution.

It is advisable to take breaks or refuel at guarded parking lots and gas stations.

In the event of an accident, theft, or violence, Bulgarian citizens should contact the nearest Hungarian police station or call 112 to obtain a police report. This is particularly important if you subsequently need to file a claim with your insurance company.

Contact details of the Hungarian Police Headquarters

Name: BUDAPESTI RENDŐR-FŐKAPITÁNYSÁG
Address: 1139 Budapest, Teve utca 4-6.
Telephone: 112 or 107 or +36 1 443 5000
E-mail: budapest@budapest.police.hu 

If you need urgent assistance, dial the single European emergency number 112. This number will connect you to the police, fire department, or ambulance service.

Other important emergency numbers:

Police: 107
Ambulance: 104
Fire department: 105
Roadside assistance: 188

When traveling through Hungary, pay special attention to local rules on the possession of psychotropic substances and check whether any of the medicines you are carrying are considered illegal drugs.

If such medicines are used, they must be in their original packaging and accompanied by a doctor's prescription.

Recommendations for Bulgarian citizens traveling through Hungary from other EU member states with lost or stolen personal documents in another EU country can be found here: https://www.consulatebg.eu/home/temporary-passport.

Urgent need for financial resources - If a Bulgarian citizen does not have the necessary financial resources, they should seek to obtain them through Western Union.

Direct financial assistance can be obtained from the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Hungary only if the necessary amount is deposited in advance with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Budget and Finance Directorate.

For more information: https://www.mfa.bg/bg/uslugi-patuvania/konsulski-uslugi/patuvane-chujbina/neobhodimost-finansovi-sredstva.

It is important to note that the embassy does not have the means to provide financial assistance, purchase tickets, pay for hotels, etc.

Local currency:

The official currency of Hungary is the Hungarian forint (HUF). The forint-euro exchange rate fluctuates frequently. It is advisable to pay in forints to avoid losses.

All prices in shops, restaurants, and services are marked in forints.

Some hotels, restaurants, and shops, especially in tourist areas, accept euros. However, this is more of a service for tourists than standard practice.

Major bank credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Eurocard) are accepted in larger shops, restaurants, and hotels. Card payments are widespread in urban areas. ATMs are easily accessible in both cities and smaller towns. It is advisable to withdraw money from ATMs of large banks to avoid high fees. It is always a good idea to have some cash on hand for places where you may not be able to use your card.

Hungary is a member of the Schengen Agreement. Bulgarian citizens travelling to and through Hungary must have a valid identity card or passport. There is no residual validity requirement for Bulgarian citizens' travel documents.

Minors and under-aged persons may travel with a valid identity card or passport if accompanied by their parents, guardians or legal representatives.

Minors and under-aged persons travelling unaccompanied or accompanied by third parties who are not their parents, guardians or legal representatives must present to the Hungarian authorities a document by which their parents/guardians/legal representatives consent to such travel.

Before travelling through Hungary, check the expiry date of your identity documents!
If you have expired identity documents in Hungary, you will need a temporary identity document issued by the Consular Office of the Embassy.

Due to the increasing cases of citizens with lost/stolen ID documents on the territory of EU countries, having a relevant document from the police for this fact, as well as other citizens travelling through Hungary to Bulgaria without valid ID documents, we draw your attention to the following:

1. When travelling through the territory of Hungary it is necessary for Bulgarian citizens to have valid identity documents for crossing the border (identity card, passport, diplomatic passport, service passport, seaman's passport, Emergency Travel Document). The Hungarian authorities do not allow people to cross the borders with Serbia and Romania without valid documents.
2. Hungary is an external border of the Schengen area and its border crossings are subject to enhanced checks and controls. The territory of the European Union covers the Schengen area countries and countries outside it. Bulgaria is not in the Schengen area.
3. Documents issued in EU countries by local police to certify the theft/loss of identity documents are not a substitute for an identity document and cannot be used to cross the Hungarian border with Serbia or Romania.
4. Pursuant to Article 8, paragraph 2 of the Bulgarian Identity Documents Act, in case of loss, theft, damage or destruction of a Bulgarian identity document, the person is obliged to declare this within three days to the nearest structural unit of the Ministry of the Interior or to the diplomatic or consular representations of the Republic of Bulgaria abroad.

In the case of loss, theft, damage or destruction of a Bulgarian identity document, the person is obliged to submit within 3 days a written declaration in accordance with Annex No 6 to Article 17, paragraph 1 of the Regulations for the Issuance of Bulgarian Identity Documents, with a request for the issuance of a new identity document and/or an Emergency Travel Document (in case of the need for a recent trip to Bulgaria) to the nearest diplomatic or consular mission of the Republic of Bulgaria.
For the issue of an Emergency Travel Document, as well as for the issue of new identity documents, the relevant fees shall be paid on the spot, when submitting the declaration.

If it is not possible to report and submit a declaration for an Emergency Travel Document to a diplomatic or consular representation of the Republic of Bulgaria in the country where the document is lost/stolen/damaged/destroyed, the person should seek assistance from another diplomatic representation nearby before reaching the Hungarian border with Serbia or Romania.

Certifications and legalizations:
Pursuant to the current Agreement on Legal Assistance in Civil, Family and Criminal Matters between Bulgaria and Hungary, signed in Sofia on 16 May 1966, promul. SG 29 of 11 April 1967, in force from 10 March 1967, the documents drawn up or certified by a competent authority in accordance with the established form and on which a seal has been affixed, shall be accepted in the territory of the other country without the need for further legalization (the affixing of an Apostille seal is not required).

Preparation of identity documents:
The Embassy's Consular Office can accept applications for passports, identity cards and Emergency Travel Documents.
Applications for the issuance of a driving licence shall not be accepted and processed.

- To issue an Emergency Travel Document for children born abroad, the child's local birth certificate and the presence of both parents are required.
- A birth certificate must be presented when the first identity card is issued.
- For issuance of an Emergency Travel Document for returning to Bulgaria in case of loss, theft, damage or destruction of the identity card and/or the passport, a report from the police must be submitted stating the particular circumstances (theft, robbery, forcible seizure, etc.).

Civil status

Issue of documents:
The competent Hungarian civil registry offices in the respective municipalities shall send to the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria the birth, marriage and death certificates of Bulgarian citizens drawn up in Hungary. The civil status acts received ex officio are sent by the Consular Office to the competent Bulgarian civil status offices for entry in the Bulgarian registers.

It is possible, after obtaining the relevant local civil status certificate, the individual to present it in person at the Consular Office, translated and certified according to the established procedure, for forwarding to the municipality of permanent residence in Bulgaria for registration of birth, civil marriage or death with the local authorities.

Where the person concerned is able and willing to carry out the registration in person or through an authorised representative, he/she shall present the relevant local certification document, translated and certified in accordance with the established procedure to the relevant municipality in Bulgaria:
 - for the birth of a child - at the permanent address of the mother, and if she is a foreigner - at the permanent address of the father;
 - for a civil marriage before the local authorities - at the permanent address of the husband, and if he is a foreigner - of the wife;
 - for death - at the permanent address of the deceased.