Hungary : Country overview

Geography

• Full country name: Republic of Hungary
• Population: 10 million (UN, 2010)
• Border countries: Hungary borders Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia to the south and south west, Romania to the south east, Austria to the west, Ukraine to the north east, Slovakia to the north and Ukraine to the north east.
• Climate: generally cold winters and hot summers with no great variations in weather and climate within the country. See BBC Weather Country Guides: Hungary  for further details.
• Terrain: mostly flat with only small areas in the north and west rising above 600 metres. The main rivers are the Danube and the Tisza.
• Natural hazards: there are no significant natural hazards. However, travellers to Hungary should be aware of toxic contamination in the area around Ajka because of an aluminium waste spillage that occurred in October 2010.

Living in Hungary

• Cost of living: much lower, on average, than the EU average, particularly in rural areas. Around 33% of the total personal expenditure of Hungarian households is assigned to food, and almost 40% to housing maintenance, which includes electricity, water and gas. Renting a house costs even more, with as much as 50 - 60% of personal expenditure going on rent. The price of fuel fluctuates at around HUF 300 per litre. For more information, see ‘living and working in Hungary’ on the EURES - European Job Mobility Portal  website.
• Utilities: gas, electricity and water are all provided
• Internet domain: .hu
• Health: you should take out comprehensive medical insurance before travelling. You should also obtain the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. This is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as a Hungarian national. Seek medical advice before leaving the UK about tick-related diseases, such as tick-borne encephalitis, especially if you intend to visit areas that are forested, grassy or beside lakes (Foreign and Commonwealth Office, 2010).
• Laws and customs: carry your passport at all times as you must be able to show some form of identity if requested, for example by the police. A photocopy is not acceptable. Hungarian laws on the possession and use of drugs are strict.

Economy and finance

• Currency: Hungarian Forint (HUF)
• Type of economy: market economy
• Health of economy: the economy of Hungary has entered recession. As a result of the global economic crisis, Hungary had to seek help in the form of a financial assistance package from the International Monetary Fund. Almost 90% of gross domestic product (GDP) is generated by the private sector (FCO - Hungary country profile).
• Unemployment rate: 10.8% (Eurostat, September 2010)
• Main exports: machinery and transport equipment, foodstuffs and chemicals

Culture

• People: Hungarian 92.3%, Roma 1.9%, other or unknown 5.8% (The World Factbook, 2010)
• Major religion: Christianity
• History: See BBC Timeline: Hungary

Politics

• Type of government: parliamentary democracy
• Major political parties: FIDESZ - Hungarian Civil Alliance (FIDESZ - MPSZ), the Christian Democratic Party (KDNP), Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP), The Movement for Better Hungary (JOBBIK) and Politics Can Be Different (LMP).

Travel advice

Find the latest travel advice and a travellers' checklist on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website.