The Hungarian government has implemented new travel restrictions as a response to the increase in Covid-19 cases in nearby countries. This article provides details.

As of 15 July 2020, the Hungarian government has implemented new travel restrictions as a response to the increase in novel coronavirus cases in nearby countries (Gov. Decree No. 341/2020. (VII. 12.); the 'Gov. Decree'). The travel restrictions only affect passenger traffic.

The Gov. Decree introduces three colour-coded categories for countries (or certain regions within countries); based on infection rates, countries are classified as 'red', 'yellow' or 'green', for high, medium and low infection respectively.

The chief medical officer is responsible for classifying countries and regions through decrees, which are then published in the Hungarian Official Gazette. Unclassified countries are considered green for the purposes of travel restrictions. If a country is classified as red or yellow, the chief medical officer may specify certain regions within that country as green if the infection rates are low in those regions.

Most EU member states are in the green category, with the exception of Sweden, Norway, Portugal, Bulgaria and Romania.

At the time of writing, the following countries are classified as yellow: UK, US, Canada, Sweden, Norway, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Russia, Japan and China.

153 countries have been classified as red, including for example: Ukraine, India, Israel, Turkey, all American countries (except the USA and Canada), all Asian countries (except Japan and China), all African countries and all countries of Australia and Oceania.

The Gov. Decree also differentiates between Hungarian and third-country nationals. For the purpose of the travel restrictions, third-country nationals and their family members are treated as Hungarians if their travel documents prove that they are entitled to permanent stay in Hungary, or if the third-country nationals obtained a temporary permit issued by the policing authority responsible for immigration allowing them to stay for longer than 90 days.

1. Travel restrictions for Hungarian nationals (and third country nationals treated as Hungarians)

There are no restrictions on entering Hungary from green countries. If the Hungarian national arrives from a yellow or red country, the traveller must undergo a medical examination.

  • If there is no suspicion of infection, the individual mustl remain in home quarantine for 14 days. If the individual does not have a home address or place of stay, the epidemiological authority designates the place of quarantine. Quarantine is not necessary if the individual has two negative SARS-CoV-2 tests not older than five days and a 48-hour interval between the two tests.
  • If infection is suspected, the individual is quarantined in a place designated by the epidemiological authority until further notice.
  • Quarantined individuals may request to take SARS-CoV-2 tests (at 48-hour intervals). If the tests are negative, the quarantine is lifted.

2. Travel restrictions for third-country nationals

There are no restrictions on entering Hungary from green countries, however, if the person shows symptoms of infection within 14 days of entering Hungary, the epidemiological authority must be notified immediately and the person cannot leave their place of stay.

If the third country national arrives from a yellow country, the traveller must undergo a medical examination.

  • If there is no suspicion of infection, the individual is quarantined in a place designated by the epidemiological authority for 14 days. Quarantine is not necessary if the individual has two negative SARS-CoV-2 tests not older than five days and a 48-hour interval between the two tests.
  • Quarantined individuals may request to take SARS-CoV-2 tests (at 48-hour intervals). If the tests are negative, the quarantine is lifted.
  • If infection is suspected, the third-country national may not enter Hungary.

Third-country nationals cannot enter Hungary from red countries.

3. Special restrictions for neighbouring countries:

Nationals of neighbouring yellow or red countries may enter Hungary on the conditions that they remain within 30 kilometres of the state border and leave Hungary within 24 hours.

The colour classification of countries may change in the coming days as the situation evolves.

Originally published 28 July 2020 .

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