Hungary 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report

This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Budapest. OSAC encourages travelers to use this report to gain baseline knowledge of security conditions in Hungary. For more in-depth information, review OSAC’s Hungary country page for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private- sector representatives with an OSAC password.

Travel Advisory

The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses Hungary at Level 1, indicating travelers should exercise normal precautions. Review OSAC’s report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System.

Overall Crime and Safety Situation

Crime Threats

The U.S. Department of State has assessed Budapest as being a LOW-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Compared to 2018, Hungary's overall crime rate for 2019 remained relatively low, in all major crime categories. Non-confrontational crime against property remained steady. Property crime (e.g. theft, robbery) remained stagnant, as did violent criminal acts against persons (e.g. aggravated assault). Street crime (e.g. pickpocketing, petty theft, theft from unattended vehicles, vandalism) is the most frequently reported type of crime. Budapest's major train stations, public transportation systems (i.e. tram, subway, bus) and most tourist-frequented areas are popular venues of such thefts. Per Hungarian law, non-violent property crime with damages less than HUF 50,000 (approximately U.S. $186) does not appear in the crime statistics, as law enforcement considers those minor offenses. Crimes committed against U.S. nationals are generally crimes of opportunity, not crimes specifically targeting U.S. nationals. Passports, cash, and credit cards are favorite targets of thieves.

Violent crime rates remain low in Hungary. There was a decrease in the number of homicides from 148 in 2018 to 141 in 2019. A large percentage of homicides are the result of domestic violence. Consequently, the successful investigation rate is high, since police are usually aware of the suspects.

Despite a recent decline in numbers, residential crimes remain a concern. Home alarm monitoring systems continue to be the most popular security deterrent for home defense. Review OSAC’s reports, Hotels: The Inns and Outs and Considerations for Hotel Security.

Organized crime activities remained constant in 2019. Organized criminal groups control most prostitution operations, as well as trafficking in stolen cars, persons, narcotics, and tobacco. The organized crime division of the Hungarian National Police, in partnership with a U.S. Embassy-supported task force of U.S. law enforcement officers, continues to combat the problem of organized crime. Efforts to counter money laundering related to organized crime and drug trafficking are improving but remain vulnerable.

Reports of overcharging at some restaurants, clubs, and nightspots, especially in those areas of the city tourists frequent, remains a concern. The consumption (or honeypot) scam, is one in which criminals grossly overcharge victims (typically men) for drinks. This activity had been on the decline in previous years, and while the number of incidents remains low, there has been increased reporting of the consumption scam in the later part of 2019. Historically, police have shut down clubs for this activity. Victims of crime should call police immediately. Before entering these clubs, always ask about prices. Review OSAC’s reports, All That You Should Leave Behind and Shaken: The Don’ts of Alcohol Abroad.

Cybersecurity Issues

Review OSAC’s reports, Cybersecurity Basics, Best Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi, Traveling with Mobile Devices: Trends & Best Practices, and Satellite Phones: Critical or Contraband?

Transportation-Safety Situation

Road Safety and Road Conditions

In 2019, the number of vehicle accidents remained relatively high due to the growing number of vehicles, and because Hungary is a transit route to the Balkans and other countries in Eastern Europe. There has been a minor decrease in the number of accidents causing fatalities, but the number of serious injuries has remained relatively the same for several years. In 2019, the number of drunk drivers apprehended and those driving under the influence of some kind of narcotic substance increased. Speeding and reckless driving remain a concern.

Roads are generally in good condition. Areas under construction do not always have adequate markings or blockades, and train crossings are not always well-designated. Rural roads are often narrow and poorly lighted. Pedestrians, tractors, and farm animals often share the use of rural roads.

Hungary has zero tolerance for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Prison sentences for DUI violations or accidents caused by impaired drivers are severe. Police often conduct routine roadside checks and administer breath-analysis tests, and to check documents. Use of hand-held cell phones while driving is illegal. Car seats are mandatory for infants, and children under age of 12 may not sit in the front seat. Seat belt use is mandatory.

You can drive in Hungary with a valid U.S. driver’s license for one year as long as you have a certified Hungarian translation of the license. After one year of residence, you must obtain a Hungarian driver’s license.

Hungarian police issue traffic violations in the form of a postal check that reflects the amount of the fine. You may pay the fines at any Hungarian post office. Police will confiscate the passport of a person who chooses to contest the fine and issue the person an “invitation letter” to appear at the police station to resolve the dispute. Police will return the passport after resolution and/or payment of the fine.

Review OSAC’s reports, Road Safety Abroad, Driving Overseas: Best Practices, and Evasive Driving Techniques; and read the State Department’s webpage on driving and road safety abroad.

Public Transportation Conditions

Hungary has a robust, reliable, and safe public transportation system including buses, trams, underground metros, and intercity trains. Public transportation outside of Budapest is not as dependable. There are regular reports of nonconfrontational theft and pickpocketing on public transport, particularly when crowded. Although Hungary is generally a safe place to visit, be especially careful in train stations and crowded tourist areas, and on crowded buses, trams, and metros.

Hungary’s train service is generally reliable. The Embassy regularly receives reports of pick-pocketing on the trains between Budapest and Vienna.

Taxis in Budapest are plentiful and generally inexpensive. All taxis are yellow, marked accordingly, and should have meters. Insist on using a meter, and avoid entering into agreements with taxi drivers to an unmetered fare. Currently, the rideshare services Uber and Lyft do not operate in Hungary. Review, OSAC’s report, Safety and Security in the Share Economy.

Aviation/Airport Conditions

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Hungary’s Civil Aviation Authority as compliant with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Hungary’s air carrier operations. Review OSAC’s report, Security In Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights.

Terrorism Threat

The U.S. Department of State has assessed Budapest as being a LOW-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Credible information indicates terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Europe. Hungary has not been a target country for terrorism. Hungarian authorities continue to exercise countermeasures, led by the Counter-Terrorism Center, to prevent attacks from occurring in the country. However, all European countries remain potentially vulnerable to attacks from transnational terrorist organizations.

Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence

The U.S. Department of State has assessed Budapest as being a LOW-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.

Civil Unrest

In 2019, political demonstrations were minimal, and those protests that did occur were generally peaceful. Avoid demonstrations and political rallies. In a few instances where demonstrations have turned violent, authorities have used riot police to control crowds. Review OSAC’s report, Surviving a Protest.

Religious/Ethnic Violence

Ethnic nationalist groups have gained popularity in Hungary in the past years advocating intolerance towards Jews, Roma, and LGBTI+ persons. Although these groups do not engage in violence and are not explicitly anti-United States, you should avoid public demonstrations and confrontations with their members.

A Jewish group monitoring anti-Semitism registered 32 anti-Semitic hate crimes in 2018. These were 19 cases of hate speech, ten of vandalism, and three of assault. Research indicated that approximately 33% of the Hungarian population held anti-Semitic views. Another survey on anti-Semitic attitudes issued by the Anti-Defamation League in November found 42% of Hungarian respondents harbored anti-Semitic attitudes; 71% said it was probably true the Jewish community had too much power in the business world, and 59% believed Jews talked too much about what happened to them in the Holocaust. Jewish groups have expressed concerns about praise by government officials for Hungarian World War II-era leaders and Hitler allies known for their anti-Semitism, and about public rhetoric that could incite anti-Semitism and hate speech.

In 2019, there was a rise in racially or ethnically motivated violent extremist activity in Hungary. In October, extremists vandalized the Aurora, a Jewish community and activism center in Budapest, with arson and graffiti. No one was hurt in the incident. The Aurora serves as the headquarters of several additional groups, including Budapest Pride, the Roma Press Center, and several other groups focused on social activism.

NGOs continued to report that Roma, Hungary’s largest ethnic minority, suffered social and economic exclusion and discrimination in almost all fields of life. According to a 2017 study by the Pew Research Center on religious belief and national belonging in Central and Eastern Europe, 54% of respondents in the country would not be willing to accept Roma as members of their family, 44% as neighbors, and 27% as citizens of their country. Violent episodes targeting Roma in Hungary are not uncommon.

Post-specific Concerns

Environmental Hazards

In recent years, major spring flooding has closed roadways and has affected low-lying towns and areas along the Danube and Tisza Rivers.

Air and water pollution are some of Hungary's most serious environmental problems. Water quality in the Hungarian part of the Danube has improved, but is still plagued by pollutants from industry and large- scale agriculture.

According to the Kövesligethy Radó Seismological Observatory, approximately 4-5 earthquakes with a 2.5–3.5 magnitude occur every year in Hungary, causing no damage. Earthquakes causing light damage occur every 15–20 years, while stronger, more damaging 5.5–6 magnitude quakes happen about every 40–50 years. Hungary registered ten earthquakes in 2019 measuring greater than 2.5 magnitude; the two strongest earthquakes measured 4.1 and 4.0 respectively, and centered on Belezna, near the Croatian border.

Critical Infrastructure Concerns

Systemic economic challenges include pervasive corruption, labor shortages driven by demographic declines and migration, widespread poverty in rural areas, vulnerabilities to changes in demand for exports, and a heavy reliance on Russian energy imports.

Hungary still faces significant risks in its critical infrastructure, especially in the energy sector due to its reliance on Russia. Hungary still imports all of its natural gas from Russia, which represents approximately 80% of its total gas demand. This heavy dependence on Russian gas showed its potential for disruption in Hungary this past winter, when Russia threatened to cut off gas flow through Ukraine. There are projects that could bring non-Russian sources of gas to Hungary, such as the Croatian Krk Island LNG Terminal and the Romanian Neptun Deep project. Hungary generates nearly half of its electricity at the Paks Nuclear Power Plant, which also relies exclusively on Russian nuclear fuel.

Personal Identity Concerns

The public mood is strongly anti-migrant due to concerted government propaganda. The refugee and Roma populations are often targets of discrimination and intimidation.

Women’s rights NGOs continued to criticize the law for not placing sufficient emphasis on the accountability of perpetrators and the tendency of authorities to blame the victims. Review the State Department’s webpage on security for female travelers.

There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI+ events in Hungary. While improving, entrenched societal LGBTI+ discrimination continues to make overt LGBTI+ identity difficult. During the month-long Budapest Pride Festival, protesters disrupted six events, including, in some cases, with acts of physical violence against event organizers. According to LGBTI+ groups, police failed to act promptly to secure the events. Review the State Department’s webpage on security for LGBTI+ travelers.

Hungarian law requires that all government buildings be accessible to persons with disabilities. However, many buildings are still not up to standard. Most buses, trams, and metro stations do not have lifts for travelers with disabilities. Review the State Department’s webpage on security for travelers with disabilities.

Drug-related Crimes

Hungary is a transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and cannabis and for South American cocaine destined for Western Europe. It is a limited producer of precursor chemicals, particularly for amphetamine and methamphetamine. Hungary is also a significant consumer of ecstasy

Police Response

The emergency line in Hungary is 112. The Hungarian police also operate a number specifically for foreign tourists, commonly referred to as the “Tourist Police,” to help English speakers report crime. The office at Vigado utca 4 is available at +36-1-438-8080

The National Police, Riot Police (Készenléti Rendőrség), and Counter-Terrorism Center (TEK) operate within the Interior Ministry. The National Bureau of Investigation investigates major criminal cases as part of the Riot Police. TEK, founded in 2010, remains independent from the National Police, and has primary jurisdiction for nationwide SWAT operations. For local first responders, refer to the Embassy’s Emergency Assistance page.

Download the State Department’s Crime Victims Assistance brochure.

Medical Emergencies

The emergency line in Hungary is 112. For ambulance, call 104. Find contact information for available medical services and available air ambulance services on the U.S. Embassy website.

Doctors and hospitals expect payment in cash at the time of service and usually cannot bill your insurer directly, even if you have coverage overseas. Be prepared to pay bills first and claim reimbursement from your insurer later. Prescription and over-the-counter medicines are widely available at pharmacies. The U.S. Department of State strongly recommends purchasing international health insurance before traveling internationally. Review the State Departments webpage on insurance overseas.

The CDC offers additional information on vaccines and health guidance for Hungary.

Review OSAC’s reports, The Healthy Way, Traveling with Medication, I’m Drinking What in My Water?, Health 101: How to Prepare for Travel, and Fire Safety Abroad.

OSAC Country Council Information

The Budapest Country Council meets four times a year and has approximately 30 members. Contact OSAC’s Europe team for more information or to join.

U.S. Embassy Contact Information

Szabadság tér 12, H-1054 Budapest Regular hours: 0800 – 1700, Monday – Friday. Switchboard: +36 1 475 4400. Emergencies: +36-30-941-4295 or +36-1-475-4444. American Citizen Services: +36-1-475-4164 (regular hours). Website: http://hu.usembassy.gov

Helpful Information

Before you travel, consider the following resources:

 OSAC Risk Matrix  OSAC Travelers Toolkit  State Department Traveler’s Checklist  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)