Visas to Hungary

Everyone entering Hungary must have a valid passport and in some cases also a visa. Citizens of the USA, Japan, most European countries do not require visas to visit Hungary for stays of up to 90 days. If you hold a passport from one of these countries , check current visa requirements at a consulate or any HTB or Malev office. Nationals of South Africa need visa to travel to Hungary.

Single-entry visas valid for 30 days are issued at Hungarian consulates upon receipt of US$32/26 and three photos. A double-entry tourist visa costs US$60/48 and you must have five photos. (If you know you`ll be visiting Hungary twice, get a double-entry visa to avoid having to apply again somewhere else.) Some consulates charge US$15/10 extra for express service (10 minutes as opposed to overnight.)

Be sure to get a tourist rather than a transit visa, the latter - available for single (US$30/25) and double (US$50/42) entries - is only good for a stay of 48 hours and cannot be extended. On a transit visa you must enter and leave through different border crossings and have a visa (if required) for the next country you visit. A tourist visa can be extended at the central police station (rendorkapitanysag)of any city or town, provided you do so 48 hours before it expires.

Visas are never issued on trains.

Your hotel, hostel, camping ground or private room from an agency anywhere in the country will register your address with the police. In other situations (if you`re staying with friends or relatives, for example), you have to take care of it yourself within 72 hours. Don`t worry if you haven`t got round to it, it`s a holdover from the old regime and enforcement has been fairly lax. Address registration forms for foreigners(lakcimbejelento lap kulfoldiek reszere)are available at most post offices.

Nationals of the countries listed below do not need a visa to travel to Hungaryas visitors (holidays or short business trip) if they hold valid national passports.

More visa information

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