Business Customs
Business customs are similar to those in the United States and Western Europe. Typically, Hungarian business people prefer to develop a personal relationship on which to base a business connection. Normal business hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is not uncommon for businesses and government offices to close in the early afternoon on Fridays. Luncheons, receptions and dinners are a familiar mode of doing business. Generally, Hungarians tend to be more formal than Americans and not immediately use first names at introductions but stay with the family name.
Travel Advisory, Visas and Work Permits
There are no travel advisories issued for Hungary. Hungary is generally a safe and healthy place, although visitors are advised to guard their personal belongings and automobiles. American citizens traveling to Hungary do not require visas. Those intending to stay for longer than 90 days will require residency permits. With certain exceptions, Americans must obtain both work and residence permits if they are employed in Hungary.
According E.R.C. (Expat Relocation Center), the employing company (even if foreign owned) must apply for work permits for its foreign employees, a process which takes 60-75 days. An important exception is that managing directors of foreign owned companies, which are registered with the Court of Registration, are exempted from the work permit requirement. After the work permit is obtained, employees must apply for a working visa, which must be done in person at a Hungarian embassy or consulate in their home country. It is generally issued for one year. Measures to reduce fraud have been making this process increasingly strict and cumbersome in recent years. ERC offers services to companies to obtain work permits and renewals for their employees. The American Chamber of Commerce in Hungary also offers this service to its members.
Additional information on travel and living in Hungary can be reviewed on the Consular Section's website.
Hungarian Holidays
Hungary celebrates the following holidays in 2006:
| New Year's Day | January 2, 2006 |
| 1848 March 15 Revolution Day | March 15, 2006 |
| Good Friday | April 14, 2006 ONLY |
| Easter Monday | April 17, 2006 |
| Labor Day | May 1, 2006 |
| Whit Monday | June 5, 2006 |
| National Day | August 21, 2006 ONLY |
| Republic Day | October 23, 2006 |
| All Saints Day | November 1, 2006 |
| Christmas Day | December 25, 2006 |
| Boxing Day | December 26, 2006 |
Business Travel Infrastructure
In addition to MALEV, the Hungarian national airline, Hungary is served by many international airlines. Although at the time of this report no U.S. flag carrier has flights to Hungary, there are a number of code share agreements with international airlines. United Airlines, American Airlines and Continental Airlines have off-line service to Budapest as well. Travel into the countryside is easily accomplished by car or rail. Hungary is criss-crossed by railway lines that connect most cities. The Hungarian National Railway's "Inter-City" line provides express service to several cities. A hydrofoil can be taken to Vienna, Austria. Highways are generally good. Express toll highways now connect Budapest with Vienna, south to the Serbian border and east almost to the Ukrainian border.
In Budapest, there is an efficient subway (3 lines) that is supplemented by a comprehensive bus, tram and trolley system. Taxis are also available; however, it is advisable to phone one of the major taxi companies, rather than hailing at curbside. Hotel taxis are permitted to charge higher rates. Although fares are regulated from the airport, it is wise to ask the price in advance to a destination (airport to downtown is approx. USD 40). There is also an airport minibus shuttle service, which is reliable and costs around USD 20.
Telephone service is very reliable in Hungary, including long-distance. Budapest is serviced by three cellular phone systems (T-Mobile, Pannon GMS, Vodafone) as well as by several paging services. Calling card services such as AT&T, MCI and Sprint can be accessed from Hungary.
Budapest has many 5-star hotels (Gresham Palace, Hilton Budapest and West End, Sofitel Atrium, Inter-Continental, Kempinski, Marriott, Le Meridien,) and many 4-star and 3-star hotels in the city. Hotel facilities vary in quality outside of Budapest.
English is regularly used for business, especially among the multinational firms in Hungary. There are, of course, Hungarian firms, especially smaller ones or some state-owned ones, whose principals do not speak English. In these instances, an interpreter is often made available. It is nonetheless prudent to ask in advance what interpretation provisions, if any, have been made for a meeting.
Hungarians address each other by their family names first, followed by their given names (e.g., Smith John). Business cards follow this convention unless printed in English. It is always advantageous to learn basic greetings in Hungarian. Hungarian business partners will appreciate even the most minimal efforts.