What can I visit if I am a foreigner not having a Hungarian immunity certificate?
One of our readers drew our attention to the flaws in the Immunity certificate system. What would be the right solution? Is a PCR test a valid substitute? We asked different institutions about their policies.
The commenter left us the following feedback:
Last week we visited Hungary for business reasons. We booked two Hotels for three days and additional two days at another location. We provided Corona antibody test documents, translated to Hungarian by a government certified translator. We entered Hungary without any trouble. We received a call from the second Hotel that the booking has to be cancelled if we do not provide a plastic COVID immunity certificate card. Unfortunately, it was not possible to get one. Therefore, we left Hungary earlier than scheduled and could not meet some of our business partners. Additionally, the visit to a Museum was refused because we did not have the certificate card. It seems Hungary is not interested in businesses.
– they wrote in their comment.
You can pass the border currently with two negative PCR tests taken within three days or an immunity certificate from a few specific countries. But what about the different services? The legally appropriate universal protocol would be the following: The Hungarian immunity card is obviously accepted everywhere and based on a unity, these following countries’ certificates are acceptable: Serbia, Bahrain, Northern Macedonia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Turkey, Croatia and the Czech Republic.
But what does the implementation look like in practice? We were able to reach the following institutions by phone, and this was our experience.
Museums: Hungarian National Museum
To our question, whether only a Hungarian plastic card or a foreign immunity card is accepted, we received the answer that yes, only Hungarian card are accepted. Still, the minors they accompany may also enter. They definitely went for security.
Baths: Széchenyi Bath
In the Széchenyi Bath, Czech, Turkish, Slovenian, Northern Macedonian and Bahraini passes are also accepted in addition to Hungarian. In this case, a couple of countries were missing, but the trend is at least good. We didn’t ask for a specific country, and it sounded like they were reciting the countries by heart, so we have to give them that.
Zoo: Budapest Zoo
Here, passes from Bahrain, Montenegro, Serbia and Croatia are accepted. Again, some countries have been left out, but now different ones – which is why we assume that incomplete information is not the cause of the problem. The situation is simply chaotic and not of priority.
Accommodation: Mystery Hotel
When asked, we were told that they had not yet received such a question. The gentleman went over to his colleague to ask what the current status was but eventually said they would accept it if the person asking for the room were on a business trip. What exactly does this mean? Good question.
Restaurants: Kata Restaurant
Here, too, the reaction was that they had not yet received this question. The discussion was audible over the phone, and the answer was yes… What sort of countries are accepted, however, was not clear.
The assumption thus proved to be true. The situation is chaotic. It has become clear that the lack of an Immunity certificate paralyses you in the current state of thing, so without it, there is not much to do right now, not even in possession of two negative PCR tests.
It is possible that the correct information is not available easily or is simply not a priority for the institutions. One thing is for sure: a preliminary phone call will not hurt.
Read alsoBreaking – grand reopening to come concerning free parking, mask-wearing, festivals
Source: kormany.hu, tasz.hu, koronavirus.gov.hu
I am a foreigner not having an immunity certificate and cannot get one. I have lived here 4 years as an expat. The Hungarian Government and businesses are only hurting the Hungarian peoples employment and Hungarian businesses are hurting themselves with indecisive enforcement of this policy about needing a certificate. I don’t have to stay in a Hotel or eat in the dinning room of a Restaurant. nor do I need to go to the tourist traps. All I can say is if I am refused service due to the lack of a certificate it is not going to hurt me it is going to hurt those whom refuse to serve me. If you want my money change the policy or lose my business. There are plenty of shops happy to accept my money in their establishments without playing silly games. I love it here in Hungary but these rules about a silly card are just plain stupid. Immunized people are still getting sick and that piece of plastic means nothing to a virus.
What about people that want to fly in to Budapest from Canada???? What will we need then??? It is all so very confusing. I want to visit family there. And, in Transylvania too.
Once the EU health certificate system is up and running the Hungarian vaccine certificate will wither into insignificance. The EU are currently looking at to create an ‘add on’ to EU scheme for citizens to be available for citizens and residents of 3rd countries such as the commentator above from Canada. This should all one ready some time next month, in June.
Haziorvos – respectfully I do not agree with your “optimistic” opinion.
Non Mario and our situation to time as expat very similar and the HURT from the policies undertaken by the present Government of Hungary – their stand alone, outside EU policies and global policies of vaccines approved for Human Immunization, the pain will be worn by Hungary.
Haziorvos respectfully – the situation is a far larger picture and gigantic hurdles are needing to be faced – not just in all of Europe but Internationally -to overcome by Hungary, before what your optimism could be considered for approval.
We are expats living in Hungary for near 4 years similar to Not Mario.
We registered near on (3) three weeks ago for vaccination – NO reply as yet to what is HAPPENING.
Situation on top of these immunity certificates “balls up” and appears quite in a state of disarray.
Not Mario and Caritas are correct the BIG loser in the end will be Hungary – sadly, but they do have their National Elections in May 2022.
Hungarians have an opportunity in May 2022, and prior to that date if they desire, in orderly – non violent – democratic use of citizens RIGHTS, to use their VOICE – the power of people – through a political democratic voting system, in a united cause – to express their opinions and bring CHANGE.
Social media – used correctly should be a means of communicating correctness to situations that are destabilizing or upsetting ongoing vast numbers in the citizens of Hungary, in policies, our present Government have set our course as a country to follow.
Orderly, non confronting, no aggression nor violence – in message of objections -but enforcing and use of the given rights that are the foundation stone of DEMOCRACY.
I’m a bit confused if people are looking to come here on holiday? Is this the issue? I didn’t think holidays as such were allowed at the moment. I know the UK has adopted a traffic light system. Green countries are fine, no quarantine etc, but there are only a few to visit and everyone it seems went to Portugal. The majority of countries are Amber, Hungary being one of them, and according to the UK it’s only really for family emergencies or business, not holidays. I can only speak for the UK though. Surely if people are coming from other countries and can provide paperwork to prove they’ve had both vaccinations, I can’t see why Hungary is being difficult.
If they’ve had tests and show they’re negative I guess it still wouldn’t be enough. For some of us here still waiting for a card or second vaccination, we can’t enter certain public areas yet. However, the cards here don’t say which vaccine has been used, only on the paperwork which is given after the vaccine. The said paperwork is good enough (printed in English) for the EU to travel on, isn’t it? So why not for entrance to visitor attractions, regardless of it not being in Hungarian.
I don’t know what’s happening with the football matches they were due to hold this month. That was for open for people who could provide negative tests as they wanted the stadiums at full capacity. So why is that ok to attend without a card. That’s a breeding ground. I don’t think some of it has been thought through enough.
all should boycott hotels and spa etc .who follow these crazy facist rules? .laws?
let me see your papers ..or off to prison, with you
Communists would love it .
do not to accept it