- Capital
- Budapest (BUD)
- Dialing Code
- + 36
- Time Zone
- UTC / GMT +1
- Language
- Hungarian (Magyar)
- Best Time to Go
- May - September
- Currency
- Hungarian Forint (HUF)
Travel Tips
- German is also spoken (English is spoken in most tourist areas)
- Water in hotels and towns is safe to drink
- 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
Last updated 22 September 2026
Visa Guide
Foreign Representation in South Africa
The Embassy of Hungary
959 Arcadia Street, Arcadia 0083
Telephone: 012 430 3030
E-mail: konz.prt@mfa.gov.hu
Website: 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
Public Holidays
2026
January: 1 - 2
March: 15
April: 3, 6
May: 1, 25
August: 20 - 21
October: 23
November: 1
December: 24 - 26
Visa Application Centre
VFS GLOBAL
Telephone: 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
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
Requirements
See General Schengen Requirements
In addition:
- 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)
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
Health / Vaccinations
Compulsory:
- None
Recommended Travel Vaccines:
- Hepatitis B
- Tetanus
- Polio
South African Representative Abroad
South African Embassy
Gárdonyi Géza út 17, H-1026 Budapest
Telephone: +36 1 392 0999
E-mail: budapest.consular@dirco.gov.za
Website: dirco1.azurewebsites.net/budapest/