Hungary To Hungary by car

Entering Hungary by car

You can enter Hungary in your own car with Ukrainian license plates without paying customs duties if your stay does not exceed 6 months during the year. After this period, the car must either be taken out of the country or registered in Hungary and the appropriate taxes paid.

Documents required at the border:

• Technical passport (registration certificate) — confirms that the car belongs to you.
• Driver's license — Ukrainian licenses are recognized, but for travel outside Hungary to other EU countries, it is advisable to have an international license (IDP).
  
• Foreign passport — must be valid for at least 3 months after the planned date of departure from the Schengen area.
• Green card — mandatory international insurance policy for entry into Hungary. Without it, you will simply not be allowed to cross the border.
  
• Notarized power of attorney — if the car is not registered in your name, you will need a power of attorney with the right to drive abroad.

Important details:

• If you are traveling as a tourist, there is no need to fill out additional customs documents.
  
• If you plan to stay longer, it is worth finding out in advance about the customs clearance procedure, the cost of which in Hungary depends on the year of manufacture, engine size, and fuel type.

What if you are not the owner of the car?

If you plan to enter Hungary in a car that is not registered to you, you must prepare confirmation of your right to use this vehicle.

Power of attorney for the right to drive a car

• Mandatory for presentation at the border if you are not the owner of the car.
  
• Must be notarized in Ukraine.
• It is recommended to have an official translation into English or Hungarian, as this significantly reduces the risk of misunderstandings with border guards or police.
  
• The power of attorney must clearly state the right to travel abroad and drive a car outside Ukraine.

Other documents to have

• A copy or scan of the car registration certificate.
• A copy of the owner's passport and identification code.
  
• The owner's contact details (in case of inspection or force majeure).

What else to consider

• If the car is leased or financed, you will need permission from the financial institution to travel abroad.
• If the car is rented in Ukraine, check the contract to see if it is allowed to be driven outside the country — some rental companies impose restrictions on travel to the EU.
  
• In the event of an accident or police check in Hungary, the absence of a properly executed power of attorney may be considered a violation, and the car may be detained until the circumstances are clarified.

Do I need to change my driver's license to drive in Hungary?

Ukrainian drivers planning a trip to Hungary do not need to change their license. The country recognizes Ukrainian national driver's licenses if they:

• are valid at the time of travel;
  
• are of the new type (plastic, with a photo and Latin transliteration);
• is of the appropriate category for driving your vehicle.

If you have an old license (paper version or without Latin characters), it is strongly recommended that you obtain an international driver's license (IDP). It does not replace your national license, but supplements it and is used together with it. An IDP is especially useful in the following cases:

• renting a car from international rental companies (Hertz, Avis, Europcar, etc.);
  
• document checks by the police in rural areas, where inspectors may not know Ukrainian transliteration;
  
• participation in traffic accidents or filing insurance claims.

What else will you need for your trip?

Medical insurance

In Hungary, all medical services are paid for by foreigners, even emergency care. Therefore, having medical insurance is not just a formality, but a guarantee of financial protection in case of illness or accident. It is recommended to take out a policy with coverage of at least €30,000, which meets the requirements of the Schengen countries. You can quickly purchase such a policy online at Visit Ukraine, choosing the best rate and term. The insurance covers visits to the doctor, hospitalization, surgery, emergency dental care, and repatriation in case of serious injury or death.

Vignette for toll roads

Hungary uses an electronic payment system for motorways and some expressways. To use them, you need to purchase an electronic vignette (e-matrica), which is linked to your car's license plate. You can buy it:

• online on the Visit Ukraine portal — in a few minutes, the car's number will be registered in the official database;
• at gas stations near the border;
  
• at self-service terminals.

The cost depends on the validity period:

• 10 days — about 5600 HUF (≈ 17 USD);
• 1 month — about 9,200 HUF (≈ 27.8 USD);
  
• 1 year — about 48,300 HUF (≈ 146 USD).

The check is carried out automatically by cameras. Driving without a vignette is punishable by a fine, which can be issued even after leaving the country.

Other mandatory items in the car

According to Hungarian traffic regulations, the following items must be in the car:

• First aid kit with basic medicines and bandages.
• Emergency stop sign for use in case of breakdown or accident.
  
• Reflective vest for everyone who leaves the car on the road.
  
• Spare wheel, jack, and wrench or repair kit and tire inflator.
  
• Fire extinguisher (recommended, although not always mandatory).

Having these items is not only required by law, but also helps you avoid fines and ensures safety in unforeseen situations.

If you are traveling with children

• When traveling abroad with one parent, children under the age of 16 usually need a notarized consent form from the other parent.
• Children under 150 cm tall must be transported in a child car seat or booster seat appropriate for their weight and age.
• It is prohibited to hold a child in your arms while the vehicle is in motion, even in the back seat.
• When installing a rear-facing car seat in the front seat, the front airbag must be deactivated.

Children may be accompanied by:

• One parent — you must have the child's birth certificate and foreign passport.
  
• Relatives — the child's birth certificate, foreign passport, and a document confirming family ties are required.
• Third parties — written consent from one of the parents, certified by the guardianship authority, as well as the child's birth certificate and foreign passport are required.

For more information, please visit link.

Transporting animals by car

1. An international veterinary passport is required, containing:

• a record of vaccinations against viral diseases;
• the date of microchipping;
  
• rabies vaccination;
  
• treatment for external and internal parasites;
  
• a photo of the animal (for those under one year old).
  

2. A certificate stating that the animal has no breeding value is required.

3. All documents must be originals and presented when crossing the border.

For more details, follow the link.

Take care of your car's protection abroad

To travel to Hungary in your own car, you must have an international insurance certificate “Green Card”, which confirms that you have car insurance valid outside Ukraine. Without this document, you may not be allowed to cross the border or be fined.

Where to get it?

On our website, you can quickly and conveniently purchase a Green Card online by selecting the desired validity period. The policy will be sent to your email immediately after payment.

Why is this important?

• covers the costs of damage caused to third parties abroad;
• is a mandatory document for crossing the border by car;
  
• is recognized by official authorities in Hungary and other EU countries.

Don't take any chances — get your Green Card in advance and hit the road with confidence!