Hungary: Authorities to permit travel with Czech Republic for COVID-19 vaccinated individuals from May 15 /update 25

Hungary to permit travel with Czech Republic for COVID-19 vaccinated individuals from May 15; domestic COVID-19 restrictions remain.

Event

Authorities will permit COVID-19 vaccinated individuals to travel between Hungary and the Czech Republic without the need to quarantine or test from May 15. Similar bilateral agreements are in place allowing unrestricted travel for vaccinated individuals between Hungary and Bahrain, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia, and Turkey respectively. Travelers must have evidence of vaccination issued by the relevant national authorities. A full list of accepted vaccination certificates by country is available on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

In all other cases, only Hungarian nationals and permanent residents are permitted to enter the country, with some limited exceptions. Foreign business travelers are permitted to enter Hungary without restrictions. Most other travelers, including residents and citizens, must quarantine for 10 days on arrival. Incoming travelers who do not have a residential address in Hungary must quarantine at government-designated facilities for 10 days. Travelers may leave quarantine early if two negative COVID-19 tests are presented in the first five days.

Domestic Restrictions

In general, the following domestic restrictions remain in force nationwide as of May 14:

A 00:00-05:00 curfew during which time all nonessential movement is prohibited. Commuters may travel for work during curfew hours with certificates issued by employers.
Catering establishments may serve customers in outside areas.
Nonessential shops are open.
Cultural and leisure facilities are closed.
Private gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited.
Facemasks are mandatory in enclosed or crowded public spaces.

Hungarian authorities issue "certificates of protection" to individuals who have either been vaccinated against or recovered from COVID-19. Restrictions are less stringent for individuals with certificates of protection, they may visit cultural, leisure, and fitness facilities and be seated at indoor areas of catering establishments. Additionally, individuals with these certificates are permitted to attend certain mass events and are not required to wear facemasks in areas only open to individuals with certificates. Certificates of protection issued to individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 are valid for six months only, certificates for vaccinated individuals have no expiry.

Authorities intend to ease further restrictions once healthcare officials have administered five million first doses of COVID-19 vaccines, currently expected around the end of May.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.