Hungary 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report
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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