Information note on new travel restrictions

 

As  of  September  1,  2020,  0hrs,  the  Hungarian  Government  imposed  new  restrictive  entry measures to Hungary, effective for 1 month. These measures are reinstating border control on the Schengen border. The former color code system has been abolished.

Hungarian nationals can enter Hungary after a health screening on the border. Upon entry, they have to go to 2 weeks house quarantine. The quarantine order can be shortened by two negative PCR tests, within 5 days, with 48 hrs difference between two tests. Tests cannot be done abroad and beforehand.

Same regulation applies to the following persons:

-family members of Hungarian nationals, regardless of nationality

-any person with Hungarian residency permit and their family members that proven by legal documents.

-any person holding a long term (over 90 days) Hungarian visa

-professional athletes or anyone working for a Hungarian sports organization coming back to Hungary from an international sports event proved by official documents

Non-Hungarian nationals – in general – cannot enter Hungary, with few exceptions:

-persons who have to present themselves in front of a court for legal purposes, proven by official documents from a Hungarian court;

-business travel or work related entry, with an invitation letter signed by either a central governmental administrative body, an autonomous regulatory body or an autonomous state administration body;

-persons  with  healthcare  appointment,  with  an  official  letter  from  the  destination healthcare institution;

-foreign students studying in Hungarian universities;

-travel related to freight traffic  – foreign nationals  can be transported to the place of origin of a transport job and can be taken back home, proven by the employer;

-attending family events (marriage, christening, funeral);

-taking care of a relative;

-attending important, international sports, cultural and religious events; or

-any reasonable reasons beyond the aforementioned points.

Request of entry has to be submitted electronically on the known platform, on the website of the Hungarian Police (www.police.hu). Beyond stating the reason for entry, all requests has to be  accompanied  with  official  documents.  Groups  travelling  together  may  submit  one  case together. The aforementioned quarantine rules and requirements apply here as well.

The new regulation does not apply to transit freight traffic, entering the country with diplomatic passports and people who went through COVID-19 before and has proof of it.

Cross-border commuting is possible under the new regulations. Anyone living within 30 kms from the Hungarian border and works in Hungary or vice versa, can enter Hungary with proof of employment, with the condition to return to the country of origin within 24 hours.

Transit traffic - if the health screening upon entry does not detect any proof of sickness - can legally enter the Schengen Area, with a proof of destination and with sufficient permit to enter the destination country. During the transit, they cannot deviate from the assigned route and have to leave Hungary within 24 hrs.

 

Business   travel   of   executives   and   employees   working   for   parent-   and   subsidiary companies of Hungarian companies are allowed to enter Hungary without restriction if they are in the possession of sufficient proof of business.

 

Professional athletes (not spectators!) wishing to participate in an international sports event organized in Hungary may enter if they are in the possession of an official invitation by the organizers. Any professional athlete, invited by an official Hungarian sports organization, can enter Hungary without quarantine, if:

 

-     they are in possession of proof of two negative PCR tests within 5 days, and 48 hrs apart;

-     if they are acting in accordance with UEFA protocol, which requires one negative PCR test within 3 days prior entry.

 

 

 

The Hungarian government is introducing the following restrictive measures as of 11 November, 2020 in an effort to curb the spread of coronavirus:

  • Curfew between 8pm and 5am, with an exemption for those who are going to/coming from work.
  • Restricted opening hours of shops and other businesses.  Services such as hair salons have to close at 7pm, while hotels are only allowed to receive business travellers but no tourists.
  • Restaurants are to be closed except for home deliveries,
  • All gatherings are prohibited and no more than ten people are allowed to attend private events or family gatherings.
  • Sporting events are to be held behind closed doors.
  • Universities and secondary schools above the eighth grade are to return to digital education while facilities for children under the age of 14 remain open.

The measures above are imposed for 30 days.