Overview of Hungary
Hungary, a landlocked country in Central Europe, shares borders with Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, and Slovenia. It has a population of nearly 10 million, with Hungarian as the official language. The capital city, Budapest, is known for its historic landmarks, thermal baths, and vibrant culture. Iconic sites include Buda Castle, the Great Synagogue, and Fisherman’s Bastion, offering breathtaking views of the Danube River. Beyond Budapest, Hungary’s countryside boasts Lake Balaton, the largest lake in Central Europe, and picturesque towns like Eger and Pécs. Hungary became a Schengen Area member in 2007, allowing travelers with a Schengen visa to visit freely.
Hungary Schengen Visa Eligibility
Schengen visa eligibility for Hungary includes third-country nationals from the following states, who are excluded from visa-free to Hungary/the Schengen area, and are therefore eligible to apply for a Schengen visa to Hungary:
| 1. AFGHANISTAN | 53. LAOS |
| 2. ALGERIA | 54. LEBANON |
| 3. ANGOLA | 55. LESOTHO |
| 4. ARMENIA | 56. LIBERIA |
| 5. AZERBAIJAN | 57. LIBYA |
| 6. BAHRAIN | 58. MADAGASCAR |
| 7. BANGLADESH | 59. MALAWI |
| 8. BELARUS | 60. MALDIVES |
| 9. BELIZE | 61. MALI |
| 10. BENIN | 62. MAURITANIA |
| 11. BHUTAN | 63. MONGOLIA |
| 12. BOLIVIA | 64. MOROCCO |
| 13. BOTSWANA | 65. MOZAMBIQUE |
| 14. BURKINA FASO | 66. NAMIBIA |
| 15. BURMA/MYANMAR | 67. NAURU |
| 16. BURUNDI | 68. NEPAL |
| 17. CAMBODIA | 69. NIGER |
| 18. CAMEROON | 70. NIGERIA |
| 19. CAPE VERDE | 71. NORTH KOREA |
| 20. CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC | 72. OMAN |
| 21. CHAD | 73. PAKISTAN |
| 22. CHINA | 74. PAPUA NEW GUINEA |
| 23. COMOROS | 75. PHILIPPINES |
| 24. CONGO | 76. QATAR |
| 25. COTE D’IVOIRE | 77. RUSSIA |
| 26. CUBA | 78. RWANDA |
| 27. DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO | 79. SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE |
| 28. DJIBOUTI | 80. SAUDI ARABIA |
| 29. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC | 81. SENEGAL |
| 30. ECUADOR | 82. SIERRA LEONE |
| 31. EGYPT | 83. SOMALIA |
| 32. EQUATORIAL GUINEA | 84. SOUTH AFRICA |
| 33. ERITREA | 85. SOUTH SUDAN |
| 34. ETHIOPIA | 86. SRI LANKA |
| 35. FIJI | 87. SUDAN |
| 36. GABON | 88. SURINAME |
| 37. GAMBIA | 89. SWAZILAND |
| 38. GHANA | 90. SYRIA |
| 39. GUINEA | 91. TAJIKISTAN |
| 40. GUINEA-BISSAU | 92. TANZANIA |
| 41. GUYANA | 93. THAILAND |
| 42. HAITI | 94. TOGO |
| 43. INDIA | 95. TUNISIA |
| 44. INDONESIA | 96. TURKEY |
| 45. IRAN | 97. TURKMENISTAN |
| 46. IRAQ | 98. UGANDA |
| 47. JAMAICA | 99. UZBEKISTAN |
| 48. JORDAN | 100.VIETNAM |
| 49. KAZAKHSTAN | 101.YEMEN |
| 50. KENYA | 102.ZAMBIA |
| 51. KUWAIT | 103.ZIMBABWE |
| 52. KYRGYZSTAN |
Third party nationals from the following entities/territories are also required to apply for a Schengen visa: KOSOVO and the PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY.
When to Apply for a Hungary Schengen Visa
It is recommended to submit your Hungary Schengen visa application at least 15 days before your intended travel date and no earlier than six months before departure. For seafarers, the earliest time to apply is nine months in advance. Applying early is advisable, especially during peak travel seasons, to avoid processing delays.
Processing Time for Hungary Schengen Visa
The processing time for a Hungary Schengen visa is typically 15 to 20 working days. However, during peak travel periods or individual cases, processing times may extend up to 30 or even 60 days. It is recommended to apply as early as possible to ensure sufficient time for processing.
Important Entry Notes
Your visa may be revoked if you do not notify the Hungarian Consulate or visa application center of any changes to your trip itinerary after submitting your application. Approval of a Schengen visa does not guarantee entry into Hungary or the Schengen Area—border authorities have the final decision on entry and may request additional documents upon arrival. You may also need to provide proof of sufficient financial means, accommodation details, and the purpose of your visit.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it is recommended to consult the official Hungarian consulate or embassy in your country before making any travel arrangements.
