January updates on pandemic related regulations in Hungary
Last updated on 3 March 2022.
With the 4th wave of the coronavirus pandemic on us, pandemic related measures have just been updated in Hungary. The concept of the immunity certificate gets revised, and a vaccination campaign is organized.
The below information was announced at the press conference on 13 January 2022. The article will be updated as necessary when the official decree is published.
Wearing a mask in enclosed spaces
Wearing a mask remains obligatory in enclosed spaces where there are regularly more than five people. This includes shops, restaurants, night clubs, shopping malls and office buildings as well as public transport and all waiting areas (even open air ones). Exceptions apply, e.g. when you are actually eating in a restaurant; see a detailed list here.
Vaccination certificate
Starting from 15 February 1 May, the previous immunity certificate will be converted into a vaccination certificate. The old immunity card remains valid, since your status can be checked based on the QR code on the card.
The most important change is that those who received the certificate based on having recovered from the infection will no longer be considered immune. Moreover, you will be considered properly vaccinated only if you have received your third dose, or if less than 6 months have passed since your second dose. For minors, only two doses are enough for now, since vaccinating them started later.
Vaccination campaign: get your booster shot now
Getting a booster shot is recommended for everyone who received their last dose more than 4 months ago. Currently vaccination centers are administering the so called “third shot” (since most vaccines originally required two shots), while the fourth shot can also be requested if your GP recommends it.
To promote vaccination, a campaign is organized in January. Every weekend (Thursday and Friday: 2 pm to 6 pm; Saturday: 10 am to 6 pm), you can visit specific vaccination centers and ask for your booster shot without previous registration, while general practices also organize vaccination days. You can choose any vaccine available in Hungary, including Pfizer, Sinopharm, Moderna, Janssen, and AstraZeneca, depending on what you got for the first two shots. Ask your GP about your options.
To make receiving your booster shot easier, it is best to print and fill in the consent form in advance, and take it with you to the vaccination center. (Only a general version is available in English; for the third shot it is available only in Hungarian. However, the questions on them are almost the same.)
Quarantine time
Based on latest information, quarantine time is reduced to just 7 days from the previous 10, regardless of why you were sent to quarantine. For students, it is even less, only 5 days, mostly to ensure the continuous operation of schools.
Entering the country and staying in Hungary
No new rules apply apart from the reduced quarantine time (see above). While the borders are officially closed, and the main rules introduced in September 2020 still apply, various exemptions have been added since then, meaning that you can travel to Hungary if you are a resident or if you have a proper reason to come here.
The rules pertaining to expiring residency documents have been changed recently. Click here to read more.
Social distancing
No further restrictions are introduced. Theaters, cinemas, gyms remain open, although you are required to wear a mask in all enclosed spaces. The same is true for events with more than 500 participants; to attend these, you will also need to present your immunity certificate.
At the same time, visiting patients treated at healthcare facilities remains prohibited. (Only nursing homes may accept visitors if the director allows it.)
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