Travel insurance for Hungary
Compare travel insurance for your holiday to Hungary
Do I need travel insurance for Hungary?
It isn’t compulsory to buy travel insurance for Hungary unless your stay will last for more than 90 days.
But it’s always a good idea to take out cover, so you’ll have financial protection against unexpected events and situations that might affect your trip.
Travel insurance could help you with everything from emergency medical costs and urgent transport back to the UK, to providing cover for lost luggage and stolen passports.
What should my travel insurance policy cover?
There are several different types of policy you can take out, but standard travel insurance should include cover for:
- Emergency medical and hospital expenses
- Repatriation to the UK for further medical treatment
- Cancelling or cutting short your trip for reasons beyond your control
- Lost or stolen property, cash, or luggage
- Lost or stolen passports and travel documents
- Delayed or cancelled flights and departures
- Personal liability
What won’t my travel insurance policy cover?
When you’re taking out cover it’s important to be aware of what you won’t be protected against, this typically includes:
- Injuries or damage that happened while you were under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Adventure sports and high-risk activities like rock climbing and bungee jumping
- Theft of unattended possessions
- Medical treatment for pre-existing medical conditions you haven’t declared
- Strikes and industrial action
- Rescheduled flights where the airline has cancelled and rearranged your flight
- Travelling to destinations against official government advice
Will an EHIC or GHIC cover me in Hungary?
Yes, because Hungary is part of the European Union (EU), you can use a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or the newer Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).
These cards will let you access state healthcare in Hungary for free if you’re suffering from an acute illness or medical emergency.
But you’ll still need to take out travel insurance as the EHIC and GHIC cover a lot less than a comprehensive travel insurance policy. For example, they won’t cover private medical treatment, repatriation back to the UK, or cancelled trips.
Need-to-knows when travelling to Hungary
This eastern European gem blends historic buildings and atmospheric streets with modern sights and experiences. Read our hints and tips to make the most of your trip:
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Discover a split capital
In Buda, you can explore ancient cobbled streets and a beautiful castle, while Pest offers museums, parliament buildings and trendy ‘ruin’ bars
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Cruise along the Danube
Day or night, you can cruise along the river, past Budapest - known as the Pearl of the Danube - and enjoy the fascinating sights of this historical city
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Watch your “thank yous”
While you’re expected to tip 10-15% in restaurants, never say thank you when you’re paying a bill, this means ‘keep the change’
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Take a warm bath
Despite being landlocked, Hungary’s teeming with thermal spas, all rich in minerals and offering time-outs for locals and weary travellers
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Visit the Necropolis
Pécs is located two hours from Budapest by car and is home to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the early Christian Necropolis, a must for history lovers
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Expect paprika
This red spice is used in almost every Hungarian dish, from goulash to fish soup. And don’t forget the rich local wines, which are cheap and delicious
Covid-19 and travelling to Hungary
Before you travel to Hungary, you’ll need to check current Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advice.
This will tell you about the entry requirements for Hungary and any measures you need to take before you visit the country.
Because health advice for specific countries can change, it’s also a good idea to check the Department of Health’s TravelHealthPro website.
The current Covid-19 regulations for Hungary mean you don’t need any vaccination proof or a negative test result to enter the country, whatever your vaccination status.
But to be allowed into Hungary your passport will need to be valid for at least three months from the date you arrive, so check this several weeks before you’re due to leave.
Frequently asked questions
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No, because Hungary is part of the Schengen area, you can visit the country for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa.
If you’ll be travelling to other Schengen countries, you’ll need to make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day limit, as visits to other countries will count towards your allowance.
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You’ll find that healthcare in Hungary is adequate, but you may experience long waits in public hospitals.
There are a wide variety of public-funded hospitals as well as private hospitals, which typically have more English-speaking staff.
You can access any medically necessary treatment you need during your stay by using your EHIC or GHIC card.
Just be aware that your card won’t entitle you to free treatment if you end up using a private hospital or clinic.
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Yes, healthcare is generally free in Hungary, although you may need to make a part payment for services like pharmacy and dental care.
The health system in Hungary is similar to the UK, in that it’s mainly government-funded and paid for using tax contributions.
Your EHIC or GHIC will entitle you to free treatment in public hospitals and clinics, but if you don’t have your card with you or it’s not accepted for some reason, you may need to pay upfront for the cost of your treatment and apply for reimbursement afterwards.
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Most standard travel insurance policies won’t cover you for acts of terrorism, or situations affected by them including cancelled trips or lost baggage.
If you want your cover to include this, you can usually buy a separate add-on that will extend your policy to include terrorism insurance.
Be aware that you won’t be covered for terrorism, or for travel insurance in general, if you’re travelling to a country or area that the FCDO has advised against.
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Your travel insurance will usually cover you if you’re injured because of a motoring accident, or if your belongings are damaged.
However, you won’t be covered for liability if you cause an accident while you’re driving and injure other people or damage their possessions.
If you’re hiring a car, your rental fee will normally include car insurance which should cover you for any liability.
But you’ll need to check this before you sign the rental agreement and be clear on what is and isn’t covered.
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Yes, the water in Hungary is fine to drink and is just as safe as drinking bottled water.
Hungarian drinking water is stringently regulated and fully conforms to the EU regulations.
So you can have peace of mind as you fill up your water bottle before a day of sightseeing.