Skip to content
8 ways to enter

Hungary visas

Hungary tourist visa

You may visit Hungary without a visa if you qualify for an exemption. Otherwise, apply for a short-stay Schengen visa.

Ways to get a Hungary tourist visa

  1. Visa-free short visit

    No visa needed

    Ordinary passport holders from the listed countries and territories can visit for pleasure without a visa.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area.

  2. Short-stay Schengen visa

    Visa needed

    Tourists who need a visa to enter Hungary and meet the visa requirements.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days in any 180-day period, within the dates and stay allowance granted.
    Valid for
    Up to five years. New applicants normally receive validity covering their planned trip.
    Entries
    One, two or multiple entries.
    Fee
    EUR 90 normally; EUR 45 for children aged 6 to 12; free for children under 6. Certain applicants qualify for exemptions or reductions. The fee can rise to EUR 180 for some nationalities, except children under 12. An external service may charge up to EUR 120 extra.
    Processing
    Within 15 calendar days for an admissible application with no issues.
    1. Choose the embassy or consulate for your main Schengen destination. Use Hungary's if Hungary is your main destination.
    2. If there is no main destination, use the embassy or consulate of your first Schengen entry country.
    3. Submit the application no more than six months before entry, directly or through a contracted application service.
    4. Attend in person for your first application and interview. Give fingerprints and a digital photo if required.
    5. Pay the applicable fee and await the decision.

  3. Entry with an existing visa or residence permit

    No visa needed

    Holders of a long-stay visa or residence permit from another Schengen state, Gibraltar or Monaco can visit Hungary without an additional visa. A short-stay Schengen visa also covers Hungary unless marked otherwise.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days in any 180-day period for visits using a qualifying long-stay visa or residence permit.

  5. Additional visa-free stay under a bilateral agreement

    No visa needed

    New Zealand citizens visiting Hungary as their final Schengen destination can use Hungary's bilateral visa waiver.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days in Hungary without counting time spent in other Schengen countries.

    Passports that qualify (1)

  6. Visa-free entry for some refugees and stateless people

    No visa needed

    Hungary grants visa-free entry to refugees and stateless people resident in the listed visa-free countries and territories, and to refugees resident in Ireland.

  7. Visa-free entry with a diplomatic or official passport

    No visa needed

    Holders of diplomatic or official passports from the listed countries qualify for Hungary's additional short-visit exemptions. Belarusian passports must be biometric.

Who needs it

Travellers who do not qualify for visa-free entry or another exemption need a visa.

Who doesn't

Citizens of the listed visa-free countries and territories, European single market citizens, and some holders of residence permits or existing visas can enter without a new visa.

How to apply

  1. Apply to Hungary's embassy or consulate if Hungary is your only or main Schengen destination.
  2. If no main destination can be identified, apply to the Schengen country you will enter first.
  3. Submit your application no more than six months before your planned entry. A contracted application service may handle it.
  4. Attend in person for your first application and a consular interview. Provide fingerprints and a digital photo if required.
  5. Pay the applicable fee and wait for a decision.

What to bring

  • Travel document.
  • Supporting documents for the application.
  • Ten fingerprints and a digital photo, if required.

Good to know

  • Count time across the Schengen Area together when using the usual 90-day allowance.
  • A visa valid for several years does not allow you to stay continuously for several years.
  • A Schengen visa covers Hungary unless its territorial limits say otherwise.
  • Children under 12 do not give fingerprints.
  • You may not need to give fingerprints again if you gave them within the past 59 months.
  • After using three visas in two years, travellers normally qualify for a one-year multiple-entry visa, then two-year and five-year visas. Country-specific rules can differ.
  • Hungary's financial reference is HUF 10,000 per entry, or an invitation letter, accommodation confirmation or other credible proof.

Questions

Do I need a tourist visa for Hungary?

Travellers who do not qualify for visa-free entry or another exemption need a visa. Citizens of the listed visa-free countries and territories, European single market citizens, and some holders of residence permits or existing visas can enter without a new visa.

What are the ways to get a tourist visa for Hungary?

There are 8 options: Visa-free short visit (no visa at all); Short-stay Schengen visa (a visa from an embassy); Entry with an existing visa or residence permit (no visa at all); Free movement for European single market citizens (no visa at all); Additional visa-free stay under a bilateral agreement (no visa at all); Visa-free entry for some refugees and stateless people (no visa at all); Visa-free entry with a diplomatic or official passport (no visa at all); Additional exemption for diplomatic passports only (no visa at all).

Who can go to Hungary without a tourist visa?

Ordinary passport holders from the listed countries and territories can visit for pleasure without a visa. Holders of a long-stay visa or residence permit from another Schengen state, Gibraltar or Monaco can visit Hungary without an additional visa. A short-stay Schengen visa also covers Hungary unless marked otherwise. Citizens of European Union countries, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland can enter, live and work in Hungary without a visa. New Zealand citizens visiting Hungary as their final Schengen destination can use Hungary's bilateral visa waiver. Hungary grants visa-free entry to refugees and stateless people resident in the listed visa-free countries and territories, and to refugees resident in Ireland. Holders of diplomatic or official passports from the listed countries qualify for Hungary's additional short-visit exemptions. Belarusian passports must be biometric. Holders of diplomatic passports from the listed countries qualify for an additional Hungarian exemption.

How long can I stay on a Hungary tourist visa?

Usually up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area.

How much does a Hungary tourist visa cost?

Standard visa fee: EUR 90. Children aged 6 to 12: EUR 45. Children under 6: free. Other exemptions and higher fees can apply. An external application service may charge up to EUR 120 extra.

How long does a Hungary tourist visa take?

An admissible application with no issues must receive a decision within 15 calendar days of submission.

How long is a Hungary tourist visa valid?

Schengen visas can be valid for up to five years. New applicants normally receive a visa covering their planned trip. Entries: One, two or multiple entries..

What documents do I need for a Hungary tourist visa?

Travel document.; Supporting documents for the application.; Ten fingerprints and a digital photo, if required..

How do I apply for a Hungary tourist visa?

1. 1. Apply to Hungary's embassy or consulate if Hungary is your only or main Schengen destination. 2. 2. If no main destination can be identified, apply to the Schengen country you will enter first. 3. 3. Submit your application no more than six months before your planned entry. A contracted application service may handle it. 4. 4. Attend in person for your first application and a consular interview. Provide fingerprints and a digital photo if required. 5. 5. Pay the applicable fee and wait for a decision.

What rules do I have to follow on a Hungary tourist visa?

Count time across the Schengen Area together when using the usual 90-day allowance. A visa valid for several years does not allow you to stay continuously for several years. A Schengen visa covers Hungary unless its territorial limits say otherwise.

Reviewed by