The new visa waiver program for Europe’s Schengen Area will be arriving later than expected. The latest announcement from the European Union (EU) has stated that the ETIAS system will now be launched in 2025 instead of 2024. The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) has been in the works for several years. It
Visa Policy for Hungary
Hungary’s visa policy is comprised of the regulations, laws, and requirements imposed on all foreign citizens who are planning to visit the country.
Hungary is part of the European Union as well as the Schengen Area, and shares the same visa policy as all of the other countries in the Schengen passport-free zone.
Therefore, any citizen of a Schengen country may enter Hungary exempt from a visa simply by using a National ID card, for any purpose of visit and for an unlimited period of stay.
Citizens of a country that is not part of the Schengen Area but is still visa-exempt for Hungary, must travel with a valid passport and are permitted a stay of up to 90 days for tourist, transit, or business purposes.
However, these visa-free citizens should note that from 2025 it will be necessary to meet an additional requirement to travel to Hungary for the same purpose when the ETIAS visa waiver is implemented to strengthen the security of the Schengen Area’s external borders.
This multiple-entry electronic travel authorization will be available through a simple online application, and, once approved, is digitally linked to the traveler’s valid passport. It allows multiple entries for short stays during its 3-validity.
Travelers who do not have visa exemption for Hungary must apply for a Schengen visa from a Hungarian embassy or consulate in advance, regardless of the period and purpose of the intended stay. This travel document may be issued as a visitor visa, work visa, study visa, resident visa, or as a range of other visa options.
Find further information about the different types of visa for Hungary below.