Yes. Hungary is a member of both the European Union (EU) and the Schengen Area. This makes travelling between Hungary and many other European countries easier, although entry requirements still depend on your nationality and where you're travelling from.
One thing worth knowing before your visit: Hungary doesn't use the euro. Its official currency is the Hungarian forint (HUF).
Is Hungary a Member of the European Union?
Yes. Hungary joined the European Union on 1 May 2004, alongside nine other countries.
For tourists, EU membership means that citizens of other EU countries can visit Hungary with a valid passport or national identity card, without needing a visa.
EU membership also brings practical benefits. These include mobile roaming rules for eligible phone contracts and access to medically necessary state healthcare for eligible visitors with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
However, EU membership, Schengen membership and using the euro are three different things. Not every EU country belongs to the Schengen Area or uses the euro.
You can read more about Hungary's membership on the European Commission's official EU information page.
Is Hungary in the Schengen Area?
Yes. Hungary joined the Schengen Area on 21 December 2007.
The Schengen Area allows travellers to move between participating countries without routine passport checks at their shared internal borders.
Hungary shares borders with five other Schengen countries: Austria, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia and Romania.
For example, you can travel from Vienna to Budapest by car, train or bus. Under normal Schengen rules, there are no routine passport checks at the border, although temporary controls may apply.
Always carry the appropriate travel document, even when travelling between Schengen countries.
You can find more information on the European Commission's Schengen Area page.
Are There Border Checks When Entering Hungary?
That depends on where you're travelling from.
Travelling from Another Schengen Country
There are normally no routine passport checks when entering Hungary from another Schengen country, whether you're travelling by road, rail or air.
However, Schengen countries can temporarily reintroduce border controls.
As of October 2026, Austria has notified the European Commission of temporary checks at its border with Hungary, scheduled until 15 March 2027. Travellers crossing the Austrian–Hungarian border may therefore be checked.
You can check the latest arrangements on the European Commission's border controls page.
Travelling from Outside the Schengen Area
If you're arriving directly from a country outside the Schengen Area, such as the United Kingdom, you should expect border checks.
The same applies when entering Hungary from Serbia or Ukraine, which are outside the Schengen Area.
The EU and Schengen Area aren't identical. Ireland is an EU member but isn't part of the Schengen Area. Cyprus also participates in Schengen cooperation, but border checks between Cyprus and other Schengen countries have not yet been abolished.
This means that a flight from Cyprus to Hungary still involves border checks, even though both countries are EU members.
Does Hungary Use the Euro?
No. Hungary's official currency is the Hungarian forint (HUF), usually shown as Ft.
Some hotels, restaurants and tourist businesses accept euros, particularly in Budapest. However, euros aren't accepted everywhere, and businesses may use their own exchange rates.
For everyday spending, it's better to pay in forints.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Budapest and other Hungarian cities. Having a little cash is still useful for markets, small purchases and places that don't accept cards.
If a card terminal or cash machine offers to convert your payment into your home currency, paying in forints is often the better choice. The exchange rate offered by the terminal may be less favourable than your card provider's rate, although you should also check your bank's fees.
Hungary is required to adopt the euro once it meets the necessary conditions, but there is currently no official target date. For now, visitors should plan to use forints.
You can find more information on the European Commission's Hungary and the euro page.
Do You Need a Passport or Visa to Visit Hungary?
Hungary's EU and Schengen membership doesn't mean that everyone can enter without a visa. The requirements depend on your nationality and circumstances.
Before travelling, read our guides:
• Do You Need a Visa to Visit Hungary?
• Passport or ID Card? Entry Requirements for Hungary
Last reviewed: October 2026. Border arrangements and entry requirements can change. Please check official information before travelling.
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(Images generated by AI.)
