Customs and habits in Hungary: what you need to know for everyday life
In Hungary, people speak Hungarian (magyar), a language that resembles no neighbouring language; young people often speak one or two foreign languages, older people sometimes only Hungarian (or Russian, or German). Shops close early on Saturday and most stay closed on Sunday, except for large shopping centres and tourist areas; banks, offices and shops are closed on national public holidays. In an emergency, dial 112, reachable 24 hours a day in Hungarian, English and German.
Daily life
- Language: the tourism office advises not counting on foreign languages everywhere; kindness helps to cross the barrier. A few words of Hungarian are appreciated: jó napot (hello), köszönöm (thank you).
- Names: in Hungarian, the family name comes before the first name (Kovács János). On forms, check the order requested.
- Politeness: Hungarian distinguishes the informal "you" (tegezés) and the formal "you" (magázás). Start with the formal "you" with strangers, elders and the administration, and let the other person offer to switch to the informal. The tourism office sums up: no particular etiquette, stay friendly and polite.
- Name day (névnap): each first name has its day in the calendar, and people often wish each other well on it, at work as in the family (custom, no official text).
- Shop opening hours (tourism office): most shops open from 10:00 to 18:00 on weekdays and from 10:00 to 13:00 or 14:00 on Saturday; convenience stores and supermarkets open from 6:00 or 7:00, until 18:00 or 19:00. Banks close earlier on Friday. Many small shops and family restaurants close for 10 to 14 days in August.
- Sunday: most shops are closed, except large shopping centres and tourist places.
- Tipping: no official text sets the amount, it is a custom. However, if a restaurant charges a service fee (felszolgálási díj, often called szervizdíj), the law requires it to be displayed with the prices, on the same menu, and a restaurant with table service must also display its menu outside, near the entrance (Decree 4/2009 on price display, art. 4/A and 6). These fees are charged on top of the price of the dishes: so look at the menu and the bill before deciding on a tip.
- Taxis: the tourism office advises not to hail a taxi in the street, but to book one by telephone or app from a well-known company.
- Money: the currency is the forint (HUF, Ft). The tourism office advises against changing money at the airport, where the rate is worse.
- Administration: book an online appointment at the kormányablak (idopontfoglalo.kh.gov.hu) rather than queuing; the site generally asks for a login through the State's identification service (KAÜ), and without it only a few appointment reasons are possible. For an administrative question, the government line 1818 answers at any hour.
Public holidays
Public holidays set by the Labour Code (art. 102): 1 January, 15 March (national day, 1848 revolution), Good Friday, Easter Monday, 1 May, Whit Monday, 20 August (State holiday, Saint Stephen), 23 October (national day, 1956 revolution), 1 November, 25 and 26 December.
In 2026, this gives in particular Good Friday on 3 April, Easter Monday on 6 April and Whit Monday on 25 May. 24 December is not in the Labour Code list. The "bridges" (working days moved to a Saturday) are set each year by decree. In 2026 (Decree 10/2025 NGM), for those who work Monday to Friday: you work on Saturday 10 January to be free on Friday 2 January, on Saturday 8 August for Friday 21 August, and on Saturday 12 December for Thursday 24 December.
Emergencies
- 112: European emergency number, reachable 24 hours a day in Hungarian, English and German; it alerts the ambulance, the police and the fire brigade. A text message to 112 is only provided for if you cannot telephone; it is charged at the normal rate.
- 105: cited by civil protection for a danger (fire brigade).
- 104 (ambulance) and 107 (police): direct numbers confirmed by the national police, with 105 (fire brigade); 112 is enough in every case.
Common pitfalls
- Making the "Hungary / hungry" joke. The tourism office warns: everyone has already heard it and many do not find it clever.
- Confusing Budapest and Bucharest. Same warning from the tourism office.
- Leaving your belongings lying around. The country is considered safe, but pickpockets target crowded places.
- Planning a procedure in August or on a public holiday. Offices, banks and shops are closed on national public holidays, and many small businesses close in August.
What changes by country of origin
- For everyone: these customs apply whatever your nationality.
- EU, EEA, Swiss citizens: 112 works as at home. Your European health insurance card is for a temporary stay (see HU-SANTE-TOUS-001).
- British citizens (Scots included): no difference for daily life; for health and residence, see factsheets HU-SANTE-TOUS-001 and HU-SEJOUR-TOUS-001.
Official sources (9) ›
- Nemzeti Jogszabálytár, Act I of 2012, Labour Code (Mt.), art. 102 (1): public holidays (munkaszüneti napok)
- Visit Hungary (Magyar Turisztikai Ügynökség, Hungarian tourism agency), "Business Hours"
- Visit Hungary (Magyar Turisztikai Ügynökség), "DOs and DON'Ts"
- BM Országos Katasztrófavédelmi Főigazgatóság (civil protection), "Tudnivalók a 112-es segélyhívószámról"
- Kormányhivatalok, portal (on 23/10/2026, information page stating that the site is suspended for security reasons: government line 1818 free of charge 24 hours a day, kormányablak open)
- Kormányhivatalok, Központi Időpontfoglaló Alkalmazás (online appointment booking at the kormányablak)
- Nemzeti Jogszabálytár, Decree 10/2025 (IV. 30.) NGM on the organisation of work around the 2026 public holidays, art. 2
- Hungarian National Police (police.hu), "Milyen esetben hívja a segélyhívószámokat" (02/05/2017): 104, 105, 107 and 112
- Nemzeti Jogszabálytár, Joint Decree 4/2009 (I. 30.) NFGM–SZMM on price display, art. 4/A and 6 (2) (service charges displayed with the prices; version at 01/01/2026)