Country guide
Hungary
Visa
Visa required
Vaccinations
None required
Schengen area
Yes
Currency
Hungarian Forint (HUF)
Time zones
UTC / GMT +1 (1 hour behind South Africa)
Dialing code
+ 36
Best time to go
May to September
Drinking water
Water in hotels and towns is safe to drink.
Travel tips
There have been reports of scams against tourists by restaurants and taxi’s, who charge exorbitant prices to foreigners – use hotel recommended restaurants and transport. Avoid political demonstrations.
Visa guide
Visa requirements
South African passport holders do require a visa.
Hungary is a member of the Schengen Agreement.
If you intend to visit only Hungary, you must apply at the Embassy of Hungary / Visa Application Centre.
If you intend to visit several Schengen countries, you must apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate that is your main destination / longest stay.
If you intend to visit several countries but are spending an equal number of days in each, you should apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate of the country of your first point of entry.
VFS GLOBAL
Tel: 012 425 3052
Email: info.hunsa@vfshelpline.com
Web: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/zaf/en/hun
Hours: Monday - Friday 08:00 - 12:30 and 13:30 - 17:00
Cape Town: 8th Floor 2 Long Street, Cape Town
Durban: Unit 409, 4th Floor, 91-123 Cowey Road (Problem Mkhize Road)
Pretoria: Brooklyn Pavilion, First floor, 217 Bronkhorst Street (entrance on Tram Street), Nieuw Muckleneuk
Applications are by appointment.
REQUIREMENTS
See General Schengen Requirements.
In addition to general requirements:
- Copy of data/bio page of passport
- Copy of flight reservation
- Minors: parental consent letter
- Document checklist
- Data sheet (if staying at more than one Schengen country)
Issuing authorities
The Embassy of Hungary
959 Arcadia Street, Arcadia 0083
Tel: 012 430 3030
E-mail: konz.prt@mfa.gov.hu
Web: pretoria.mfa.gov.hu/eng
Visa applications by appointment only.
Schengen visa may be applied for directly at the embassy, or through the visa application centre.
The Embassy of Hungary in Pretoria also issues visas for Latvia.
The Embassy is also accredited to: Botswana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, eSwatini, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Visa processing time
On average, 15 working days. It is advisable to submit applications 6 weeks in advance. Applications shall be lodged no more than six months before the start of the intended visit.
Visa validity
Up to 90 days.
Visa cost
Adults: EUR90
Children (6-12): EUR45
Children (under 6): Free
VFS Service fee: 9 EUR
SA representative
SA Embassy
Gárdonyi Géza út 17, H-1026 Budapest
Tel: +36 1 392 0999
E-mail: budapest.consular@dirco.gov.za
Web: dirco1.azurewebsites.net/budapest/
Health / vaccinations
Compulsory: None
Recommended Travel Vaccines: Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Polio
Public holidays
2026: Jan 1-2; Mar 15; Apr 3, 6; May 1, 25; Aug 20-21; Oct 23; Nov 1; Dec 24-26