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How Hungary’s passport became one of the strongest in the EU in 2026
In recent years, the Hungarian passport has steadily moved up the global passport rankings, becoming one of the strongest passports in the European Union by 2026. With carefully executed visa policies and diplomatic strategy, it has made large strides in its passport strength.
Hungary’s passport currently stands at 6th place globally according to VisaIndex passport index and Guide Consultant passport index, Hungarian citizens can now travel to 186 countries without needing a visa (visa-free, visa-on-arrival or eTA) rather than 185 as previously stated.
Because of this updated ranking, Hungary’s passport outperforms some passports listed previously lower, the travel freedom is slightly higher than previously reported under older indices.
Hungary now stands clearly above Malta, New Zealand, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Liechtenstein, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Canada, and Australia, as all of these countries rank lower at 7th or 8th place. Countries such as the United Kingdom and New Zealand, which come in 7th place with 185 visa-free destinations, also rank below Hungary.
Additionally, Hungary’s passport has surpassed those of Canada and Australia, which are positioned at 8th place with 184 visa-free destinations.
Read on to find out how Hungary’s passport moved up the ranks to become one of Europe’s strongest passports.
Schengen Membership
One key factor for Hungary’s strong passport ranking is its membership in the European Union (EU) and the Schengen Area. As a member of the EU, Hungarian nationals enjoy visa-free access to all 24 other EU member states.
This means that Hungarian passport holders can not only visit these countries for tourism, but live, work, and study there without a visa. They can also visit four other non-EU member states in the Schengen Area, namely Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
Restoration of US Visa Waiver Program Status
On September 16, 2025, the United States restored Hungary’s status in its Visa Waiver Program (VWP). This decision came after Hungary completed steps to address security vulnerabilities. The move to lift restrictions previously placed upon Hungarian nationals signals an improvement in bilateral relations between the U.S. and Hungary under the Trump administration.
At the beginning of 2021, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security revoked existing Electronic System for Travel Authorizations (ESTAs) of all Hungarian citizens born outside of Hungary. On top of that, the DHS continued to reject all new ESTA applications made by Hungarians born outside of Hungary.
Under the Biden Administration, the validity period of the ESTA was reduced from two years to one year for Hungarian citizens in August 2023. Moreover, the ESTAs were limited for single entry, instead of multiple entries.
With the reversal of the restrictions, Hungarian citizens can travel to the U.S. and stay for up to 90 days without a visa as of September 30, 2025, joining more than 40 other countries in the VWP. Hungarian passport holders will now be able to apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) with a validity period of two years. The ESTA will also be valid for multiple entries over the two-year timeframe.
The re-inclusion of Hungary into the U.S. VWP boosts the value of its passport and has been vital in strengthening its global passport ranking.
Visa-Free Arrangements with Non-EU Countries
Hungary has built diplomatic ties with countries outside of the EU, increasing the number of visa-free destinations its citizens can travel to. Due to the strength and stability of Hungary’s international relations, it has continued to climb up the Visaindex passport rankings.
Read also – Passport handling changes in the EU: what travellers need to know
The truth of the matter is that Fidesz has established ties with authorianian regimes such as the one party communist regimes of China and Vietnam giving Hungarians visa free travel to some countries with odious human rights records. Citizens from democracies don’t have the same ability to visit visa free to those countries. It’s a “strong passport” in that sense but not for great reasons.
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