Relaxing pandemic related restrictions at the end of May in Hungary
Last updated on 22 October 2021.
For the latest updates (October 2021), click here.
After 5 million people in Hungary have received at least their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine, the following restrictions have been relaxed as of 23 May, Sunday. At the same time, the state of emergency is extended at least until late September.
To learn about the plans for July (after 5.5 million people in Hungary receive at least their first dose of a vaccine), see our latest article here.
Curfew and mandatory closing hours are cancelled
No more restrictions apply to when you can be out on the street or to when shops, restaurants, and other facilities may be open.
Wearing a mask
Wearing a mask is no longer obligatory in all public spaces. However, you should still wear a mask in spaces that are not open and where vaccinated and unvaccinated people may mix, e.g. on public transport.
For the employees at the shops, restaurants, and other facilities, whether wearing a mask is compulsory is decided by the employer, observing that employees still must wear a mask if they do not have an immunity card, and they cannot be forbidden to wear a mask if they want to.
Social distancing
The strict rules introduced in November are now relaxed:
- Up to 50 people may participate at private and family functions without restrictions
- Up to 200 people may participate at wedding receptions without restrictions. However, if the reception takes place at a hotel or restaurant where other patrons may also be present, the owner must take care that the reception guests and the other patrons do not mix.
- Up to 500 people may participate at open air events without restrictions
- More than 500 people may participate at open air events if all of them have immunity cards
- Concerts where you can dance can be attended with an immunity card
At the same time, the free parking all over the country introduced to promote social distancing in transportation is cancelled as of 26 May (Wednesday). However, there is supposed to be a grace period until 30 May (Sunday) so everyone can take care of their parking permits (which is not observed everywhere, so watch out).
Sports and leisure
If you have an immunity card, you and your minor children may visit all kinds of spaces and facilities without a mask.
- Doing sports in open air is now allowed not only alone but also in groups, even without an immunity certificate
Border crossing
Mostly same rules have apply as since September 2020, although rules pertaining to business travel became stricter at the beginning of March. Neither transit nor shipping is restricted.
You can enter Hungary without any restrictions if you are coming from one of the following countries (unless you are coming by a commercial flight):
- Austria
- Romania
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
People with a Hungarian immunity card or with an immunity card issued in a country that accepts the Hungarian immunity card may enter Hungary without observing the 10-day quarantine. The list of such countries keeps extending. On 10 June 2021, they are:
- Czech Republic
- Romania
- Serbia
- Croatia
- Albania
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Slovenia
- Slovakia
- Cyprus
- Morocco
- Turkey
- Georgia
- Mongolia
- Bahrein
If you are planning to travel from Hungary, it might make sense to ask your doctor for an English language vaccination certificate, with which you can verify that you are vaccinated even in countries that do not accept the Hungarian immunity card. Just download the blank certificate from here, and the doctor administering your second dose or your family doctor to fill it in for you.
UEFA Euro 2020 Football Championship
Spectators to the games of the UEFA Euro 2020 Football Championship may enter Hungary and stay for the games even if they are not citizens or residents and they do not have an immunity certificate issued in a country listed above. For this, they need
- a negative PCR test done in the last 72 hours,
- their ticket to the game (this can be either a paper-based or an electronic ticket).
On a similar note, these visitors to Hungary may stay at any accommodation provider, and visit restaurants and leisure centers.
The immunity card
You can get a Hungarian immunity card if you have been vaccinated in Hungary, if you have recovered from COVID-19, or if you produce a positive antibody test. The system is not yet flawless, and since it was originally based on the TAJ number, it has some issues handling people without a TAJ number. You can learn more here.
There is also a mobile phone application available for those vaccinated in Hungary. Same as the plastic card, the phone app is valid together with your ID document (your Hungarian ID card or your passport), and it must be accepted everywhere.
With the app, you can receive your immunity certificate already a few days after your first dose. However, please keep in mind that immunity develops gradually, and you should consider yourself immune only 1-2 weeks after the second dose. In line with this, wear a mask to stay safe while your immunity is developing.
State of emergency extended
All documents that have expired since 4 November 2020 are still accepted as valid, and will be throughout the state of emergency, and at least 30 days after.
- The validity of Hungarian documents is extended until 60 days after the end of the state of emergency.
- The validity of the documents of third-country nationals in Hungary is extended until 30 days after the end of the state of emergency.
Any questions? Contact us!
Helpers has been assisting expats in Hungary with business and immigration related topics for more than 15 years. Should you have any questions or comments, fill in the form below, and follow us on Facebook to stay up to date with topics relevant to you.
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