How Safe is Hungary to Visit?

Hungary is famous for its stunning landscapes and luxurious hotels, especially near Lake Balaton. This makes it a great choice for both leisure and business trips. The country boasts a rich cultural heritage and breathtaking scenery that are truly inviting.

However, when planning a visit, it is natural to have concerns regarding your safety. Despite its popularity as a cultural hotspot, Hungary has faced criticism such as reports highlighting issues with corruption. This aspect may raise concerns for travelers about overall safety during their stay. It's important to approach such matters with a well-informed perspective, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience in this beautiful country.

In this article, we will explore different facets of safety in Hungary and how you can ensure your own safety as you travel to this country.

Is Hungary Safe to Visit?

Generally, Hungary is considered a safe destination for travelers. While the country faces certain challenges related to crime, the Hungarian government has implemented measures to safeguard individuals within its borders. Notably, there has been a significant decrease in crime rates, from 3 incidents per 100,000 people in 1994 to just 0.77 in 2021. This improvement reflects the effective steps taken to enhance safety and security for residents and visitors.

This positive trend in safety is largely attributable to specific policies the Hungarian government has enforced. For example, there are strict penalties for drinking and driving, a law that is rigorously enforced. As a result, reports indicate a decline in drunk driving incidents. Furthermore, Hungary has introduced and strictly enforced laws aimed at preventing discrimination against individuals with disabilities.

When comparing Hungary's crime rate with that of other countries, it becomes evident that Hungary is comparatively safe. These measures and their effective enforcement contribute significantly to ensuring a secure environment for both locals and visitors.

 

Country	Crime Rate per 100,000 People
Hungary	0.77
Australia	0.74
Denmark	0.8
Bahamas	29.17

Expected Risks and Precautions to Take When Visiting Hungary

Though Hungary is safe to visit, like any destination, there are certain risks that travelers should be aware of. Being informed about these risks can help you prepare adequately for your trip.

Petty Crimes

When visiting Hungary, you might encounter minor incidents like pick-pocketing or bag snatching, particularly in places bustling with people. To minimize such risks, it's a good idea to stay aware of your surroundings and keep your personal items close rather than leaving them out of sight.

In some nightlife spots of major cities, there's also a small chance of encountering drinks that have been tampered with. To keep yourself safe, it's best to kindly decline drinks offered by strangers and make sure to order your drinks directly from the bar or waitstaff.

Though rare, instances of muggings and racially motivated crimes have occurred. To avoid finding yourself in uncomfortable situations, it's wise to keep a distance from political gatherings and to be cautious when traveling alone at night.

Prevalent Scams

A common scam that might happen in this country is exorbitant prices. Usually, taxis, bars, and restaurants may target you as a foreigner because they expect you to be unaware of local prices.

To safeguard against this, it's wise to inquire about prices in advance. By doing so, you'll clearly understand the costs involved, preventing any unexpected price adjustments later.

Paying Difficulty

Though this country is in Europe, businesses there tend to use the local currency forint (HUF) instead of the Euro. In addition, local businesses are more cash-friendly. While you may be able to use some international credit cards, cards such as American Express are less accepted.

Still, ATMs are available nearly everywhere. Therefore, if you're planning on touring the countryside, you should use ATMs to extract HUF notes and use those to pay for your transactions. Do note that street changing is illegal. Therefore, your other money exchange option is going to a bank.

Communication Barriers

Whether you're wondering if Hungary is safe to live in or simply travel to, language is a major factor. In this country, you will find English-speaking customer service in the major cities such as Budapest. However, according to some reports, the estimated percentage of people who can speak English is 20%. This can lead to an emergency issue if you need to ask for help adequately. Therefore, you should verify whether your particular destination has English-speaking staff.

Bonus Tips for Staying Safe Throughout Your Hungary Tour

Though this country is relatively safe, there are actions you can take to maximize your safety beyond the advice above. Here are tips to ensure your safety in this country:

• • Use Recognized Credit Cards: If you choose to go cashless, you should use Mastercard or Visa, as most businesses accept these cards.
  • Note Emergency Numbers: You should keep the following numbers on you so that Hungarian authorities can come to your aid promptly:

• Ambulance: 104

• Fire: 105

• Police:107

• EU emergency help number: 112

• Your embassy/consulate contacts
• Carry Your Passport: You must carry your passport or a copy of it in case Hungarian authorities request to see it.
• Learn Key Phrases: You should learn some Hungarian phrases or at least carry a translation dictionary or phrase book/app to communicate with non-English speakers.