Hungary is one of the earliest countries of Europe dating back to 895 when the Principality of Hungary was created. Unlike most European countries Hungary has no ethnic kins neighbouring them. Their closest established relatives in Europe are Finns and Estonians. Although Hungary does not have sea access, it has the largest central European lake, the Balaton lake which attracts many tourists during the summer season to enjoy a variety of watersports and discover the charms of surrounding resorts and villages. Make sure to visit the ancient city of Pecs and the capital Budapest to explore the incredible landmarks and try the finest goulash in the local restaurants.

Travelling info

Hungary as a member of the EU and the Schengen convention allows all citizens of the EU to move freely to Hungary for tourist, business, starting a new life or any other purpose without the requirement to obtain any sort of a visa document. The only document required to cross the border is an ID card. There are several countries who are outside of the European Union however they are a part of the Schengen convention. These are Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland and Switzerland. Nationals of countries which are not part of this convention are required to obtain a Schengen visa that will allow them to move freely within the boundaries of the Schengen convention nations. Schengen visa is normally admitted once per half a year for a duration of 90 days. Schengen visa holders can not work or study during their stay within the Schengen boundaries. Visitors who intend to drive in Hungary must always carry their national driving permit, vehicle registration documents and certificate of insurance with them whilst driving. An international driving permit is optional however it is recommended to obtain such document for drivers who own driving permits issued in non-roman scripture. Beware that an IDP is only a translation of your national driving permit and does not substitute for it, therefore, driving with an IDP and without the national driving permit is like lacking driving permit altogether. Visitors who stay for a period of over a year must apply for a Hungarian driving permit. This rule does not apply to EU and EEA citizens. To drive on Hungarian highways a vignette must be purchased at any gas station in the country. The vignette is a highway toll in the form of a windscreen sticker which should be placed on the inside of the windscreen after purchasing. The vignette can be purchased with a validity of 10 days, a month or a year.

Travelling hazards

Driving in Hungary is generally safe. There is a highway system which connects major cities and neighbouring countries. Highways are well built and maintained however many secondary roads are often narrow and under repair. Traffic laws are strictly enforced. Hungarian police sets checkpoints in random locations using a breathalyzer to check drivers for alcohol consumption. Drunk drivers are sentenced with 1 up to 5 years in prison. Driving outside of urban areas should be carried out with care as roads often lack illumination. Wild animals often wander onto the roads causing serious accidents, particularly at night.

Environmental hazards

Hungary has almost no dangerous animals inhabiting its areas. Wolves and bears have appeared in the country however their presence is not permanent and rather migratory. In addition, both of these animals avoid humans if possible. While hiking it is advised to make a lot of human noise, that is talking, shouting etc to make the animals aware of your presence. Upon hearing humans the animals should retreat. Beware that approaching wolves or bears with cubs will usually result in a defensive attack. Hungary is home to the common European viper which inhabits almost all of Europe. Its venom is relatively weak however it may be fatal for allergic people, elderly or children. It is not dangerous for adults however medical help should be sought in case of a bite. Ticks are present throughout all of Europe and carry Lyme disease which is a serious danger for humans. The disease attacks organs, nervous system and joints. Untreated leads to death within 5 to 10 years. The disease is curable in the early stages however later stages of the disease are very difficult to cure. When bitten by a tick it is best to submit it to a laboratory as soon as possible for Lyme disease testing. It is also advised to start the curation preemptively as testing might take a week or two when meantime the disease might develop. Hungary has no access to sea however Hungarian lakes are safe to swim in without any dangers lurking in the waters.
Hungary suffers from earthquakes which are estimated to happen roughly 4 to 5 times with a magnitude of 2.5 to 3.5. These can be felt around the epicentre however usually leave no damage however there have been records of serious earthquakes reaching 6.5 magnitudes. Floods in Hungary may cause serious damage to infrastructure and urban areas once they occur.

Health hazards

There are currently no outbreaks of any diseases nor are there any vaccination requirements in order to enter the country. There are however several vaccines which are recommended for your travel. These vaccinations are the routine vaccines, hepatitis A and B and rabies vaccine. Hungary has universal healthcare which provides free service for its citizens. The Hungarian healthcare sector has expanded and is comparable to western European standards. Expats are expected to pay for their services unless carrying a health insurance policy or as a citizen of the EU being in possession of the European health insurance card. Hungary also became increasingly attractive for medical tourists who often seek quality services like cosmetic surgery or rehabilitation at affordable prices. Private hospitals and clinics also provide a high quality of service however these come at an expense. Most private facilities have English speaking physicians and staff.
In case of an emergency dial 112.

Crime

Hungary has a relatively low crime rate. Violent crime is rare and has further decreased from 2016 onwards. Petty crime, however, is quite common, particularly in around the tourist season. Pickpocketing, bag snatching, theft of unattended goods are frequent. Thieves usually operate around crowded areas, like popular tourist spots or public transport working in groups and employing a variety of thought out tactics. There are several things that will reduce the risk of falling a victim of thieves. Wearing overly expensive clothes and jewellery certainly does not help as thieves pick their targets on the perception of victims wealth. Wearing a money belt allows storing money, credit cards or IDs safely. A well-tightened belt makes it impossible to be pickpocketed. While in crowded places it is important to keep a good grip on backpacks or handbags. Crowded areas are the best opportunity for pickpockets. Although Hungary is generally safe at both day and night, most crimes including violent crime are committed after dusk therefore to minimise the risks it is advised to travel by taxi or a private vehicle to get from point A to B. It is also advised to stick to popular crowded areas after dusk and to avoid secluded places. In Hungary consumption, possession, distribution and cultivation are all considered criminal offences punishable by jail.

Summary

Hungary has a lot to offer and a lot to be discovered. Tourists may enjoy vibrant city life or visit one of many lakes, hot springs or caves of Aggtelek Karst. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa)
http://visitbudapest.travel/budapest-info/passport-visa/
https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/hungary-visa/
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/hungary
(EHIC)
http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=559