Travelling around Hungary
A set of useful inforamation for holiday travellers to Hungary.
Hungary – a country in Central Europe
A member of the European Union since 2004
Flaga Węgier
Capital
Budapest
Currency
Forint (HUF)
Population
10,1 mln
Area
93 030,00 km2
Languages
Official language: hungarian
Węgry na mapie Europy
Natural resources
- bauxite
- coal
- natural gas
Mains power system - voltage and frequency
230 V; 50 Hz
AC power plugs : types C, C-2, F
Information for drivers
Polish driving licence is honoured dmenturing tourist stays.
Hungarian border guards usually carefully control vehicles and their documents.
In case of any irregularities e.g. in vehicle registration document, licence plates, underbody part numbers, engine etc., the vehicle is kept till clarification, which may take even a couple of hours.
If it's not the owner who drives the car, he should have a notarial letter of authorization from the owner.
Drivers of vehicles on lease should have a translated contract.
Motorways are marked with a letter M, european roads with E.
Polish tourists travelling by car ought to have on their cars „PL” badges and toll stickers confirming the payment for driving on motorways. Toll stickers can be bought at petrol stations, however there is no such possibility when entering a motorway. Cameras installed along lanes register if a car has a toll sticker on its' windscreen and if it's valid. Fines are to be levied for the lack of toll stickers.
In built-up areas of tourist resorts of increased pedestrian movement there are places with speed limit of 30km/h.
Widok na Budapeszt
Customs rules
Polish citizens exercise the right of free movement of persons within European Union/ Europen Economic Area.
A document which entitles to entering and staying in Hungary without a visa is a passport or an identity card.
Restrictions in free movement and stay may only take place on account of rules of security policy and public health.
According to Union's norm, a confirmation from suitable institutions is needed to take objects of cultural value out of the country.
Safety
There is no particular crime risk.
Some pick-pocket thefts occur, mainly in Budapest on routes frequented by tourists. Most of thefts take place in shopping centres, means of public transport and places touristicly attractive. Thefts on beaches and bathing beaches are quite common, however they can be avoided because within the area of any such place there are locker rooms and safekeeping of valuable objects services.
Budynek parlamentu
Health
There aren't any sanitary or epidemiological risks, no vaccinations are required.
In case of accidents and sudden illnesses medical first aid is provided free of charge. In other situations European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is required. The card along with a passport or an identity card is handed over to the doctor in charge. EHIC entitles only to basic medical service, so it's recommended to people going abroad to buy out additional insurances, which will cover costs of treatment and of medical care in private hospitals and clinics. It's advisable to buy out an individual insurance packet, particularly from consequences of ill-fated accidents and costs of treatment.
What is worth knowing
Private persons (it doesn't apply to UE citizens) are obligated to register within 30 days (if their stay is longer than that) at a police station suitable for their place of stay. In hotels, camping sites and private lodgings tourists are registered on the day of their arrival.
Polish insurance policies are recognized. It's necessary to have information about the scope of the insurance, who you should adress in need when abroad and what is the method of realization of the policy.
Currency can be exchanged in banks and currency exchange bureaux.
Money can be drawn from widely available ATMs.
In Hungary it's not possible to pay directly for goods and services with foreign payment instruments, with the exception of eurochecks and credit cards.
Since 2nd May 2002 there is a public utility association in Hungary „White Ring” which aim is to protect tourists and to which aggrieved tourist can turn to.
Balaton
Diplomatic Posts
The Embassy of Polish Republic in Budapest
Varosligeti Fasor 16, H-1068 Budapest
tel. centr. (00361) 413 8200
tel: (secretariat) (00361) 413 8228
fax. (00361) 351 1723
e-mail: central@polishemb.hu; info@polishemb.hu
www.lengyelorszag.hu
Consular department
address: as above
tel. (00361) 413 8214
fax. (00361) 351 1725
e-mail:consulate@polishemb.hu
Departement of Economy and Trade
1143 Budapest, Stefania Street 65
tel. 00361 251- 46-77, 00361 252-59-59
fax: 00361-252-92-89
e-mail: ambpl-weh@axelero.hu
Vaccinations
Meningo-Kokow vaccination - recommended
Information comes from the guide „Polak za granicą” (www.msz.gov.pl)
The Pyrzowice.pl Crew
