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🇬🇧UNITED KINGDOM
🏳HUGB-HU

Do United Kingdom passport holders need a visa to visit HU?

UK passport holders can visit Hungary visa-free for tourism for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Hungary is in the Schengen area, so this limit is shared across all Schengen countries. No visa or ETIAS is required as of 31 May 2026 (ETIAS is not yet mandatory, expected in 2027). British (GB) ordinary passport holders do not need a visa for short tourist or family visits to Hungary. As a Schengen member, Hungary allows visa-exempt stays of up to 90 days within any rolling 180-day period; this allowance is shared across the entire Schengen Area, not reset by crossing internal borders. Your passport must have been issued within the last 10 years and remain valid for at least 3 months beyond your intended departure from Schengen. At the border you may be asked for proof of onward/return travel, accommodation, and sufficient funds. The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is being rolled out and registers biometrics (fingerprints and photo) on entry; it is free. ETIAS, the upcoming travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors, is not yet in force as of 31 May 2026 and is expected to become required during 2027 after a transition and grace period, at a fee of around EUR 20. Until then, no pre-travel authorisation is needed beyond a valid passport.
VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
United Kingdom (ILR)Living in United Kingdom as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
Visa-free short stay (Schengen)
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
per entry
Entries
Multiple (within the 90/180 allowance)
from issue date
Visa fee
GBP 0 / EUR 0 (no visa fee)
consular fee only
Processing time
None - no advance application required
standard track
Validity
Shared Schengen-wide 90/180 rolling limit
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm your passport is valid
Check your UK passport was issued less than 10 years before your arrival date and is valid for at least 3 months after your planned departure from the Schengen area.
· Passport· 10-year + 3-month rule
/02
Confirm you are within the 90/180 allowance
Count days already spent in any Schengen country in the previous 180 days. Your Hungary stay plus any other Schengen time must not exceed 90 days.
· 90/180 rule
/03
Prepare supporting documents
Have a return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation (e.g. hotel booking), and evidence of sufficient funds ready for border checks.
· Border check
/04
Arrange travel insurance
Although not formally mandatory for visa-free entry, carry travel and health insurance valid for the Schengen area.
· Recommended
/05
Complete EES biometric registration on arrival
On entry, register biometrics (fingerprints and facial photo) at the EU Entry/Exit System kiosk or booth. This is free but may add to queue times.
· EES· Free
/06
Enter and respect your stay limit
Pass through border control and ensure you leave before exceeding 90 days. ETIAS is not yet required as of 31 May 2026.
· No ETIAS yet
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

9 items
Personalized checklist
0 / 9 complete
UK passport issued within the last 10 years
required
Passport valid 3+ months beyond departure from Schengen
required
Within 90 days of Schengen stay in the last 180 days
required
Return or onward travel ticket
recommended
Proof of accommodation (hotel/host details)
recommended
Proof of sufficient funds for the stay
recommended
Travel and health insurance for Schengen
recommended
Be ready for EES biometric registration at the border
recommended
ETIAS - not required yet (monitor for 2027)
optional
Track your progress · save & email a copy
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Schengen visa feeEUR 0Not applicable - UK nationals are visa-exempt for short stays
EES biometric registrationEUR 0Free border process; registers fingerprints and photo
ETIAS authorisation (future)EUR 20Not yet in force as of 31 May 2026; expected 2027. Free for under-18s and over-70s
Total estimate00incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

ETIAS (future, when launched)
Usually minutes, up to 96 hours
Online travel authorisation expected to become required in 2027. Not needed now.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Tourism and sightseeing
Visiting Budapest, Lake Balaton, thermal baths and other attractions for leisure.
High
/02
Visiting family and friends
Short social visits to residents or relatives in Hungary.
High
/03
Business meetings and conferences
Short-term business trips, meetings and events permitted under visa-free short stay.
Medium
/04
Transit through Hungary
Passing through Hungary en route to other Schengen or regional destinations.
Medium
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.
/02
Customs
Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.
/03
Connectivity
Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-05-30
United Kingdom to Hungary route verified
Confirmed visa-free 90/180 short stay for UK ordinary passport holders against UK FCDO guidance and EU sources. ETIAS not yet mandatory (expected 2027); EES biometric registration now in force at the border.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do UK citizens need a visa to visit Hungary?
No. British (GB) ordinary passport holders can enter Hungary visa-free for tourism, family visits or business for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
How long can I stay in Hungary without a visa?+
Do I need ETIAS to visit Hungary in 2026?+
What is the EES and does it affect me?+
What are the passport rules for entering Hungary?+
What happens if I overstay 90 days?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the United Kingdom passport

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