New travel restrictions for entering Hungary introduced on 15 July 2020

As of 15 July 2020, the Government of Hungary introduced new entry restrictions.

As of 15 July 2020, the Government of Hungary introduces new entry restrictions. According to Government Decree 341/2020. (VII. 12.) countries are classified into “red”, “yellow” and “green” categories, based on the severity of the COVID situation in each. Most of the countries participating in the Stipendium Hungaricum programme are classified into the “red” category, you can find the full list below.

• Hungarian citizens and their relatives can enter Hungary from a “green” country without a health check. A Hungarian citizen coming from a “yellow” or “red” country will be subjected to health checks at the border and must be quarantined for 14 days. An exception to this is if they can credibly show two negative coronavirus tests 48 hours apart in the previous 5 days. A Hungarian citizen coming from a “yellow” country may be released from quarantine after the first negative coronavirus test, but if coming from a “red” country, two negative tests are required.

• In the case of non-Hungarian citizens, those coming from a “yellow” country can enter under the same conditions as Hungarian citizens, but it is not possible to enter Hungary from a “red” country, unless their exception request is accepted. Non-Hungarian citizens holding a residence permit authorising more 90 days of stay in Hungary does not need to submit an exception request to enter Hungary.

• “Red” Countries: Republic of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republic of Belarus, Republic of Kosovo, Republic of Northern Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Ukraine, all African countries, all Asian countries, except for Japan and the People’s Republic of China, all countries belonging to the Australian continent and all American countries except the United States and Canada.
• “Yellow” Countries: Bulgaria, United Kingdom, Norway, Russian Federation, Romania, Republic of Serbia, Kingdom of Sweden, Japan, People’s Republic of China, United States of America, Canada.
• “Green” Countries: Countries that did not receive a yellow or red classification are “green”. Among the countries participating in the Stipendium Hungaricum programme, this list includes the Republic of Korea only.
• The Government of Hungary will regularly review the classification of countries, and will adjust it to possible changes in the COVID situation.

• Exception Requests: foreigners, and therefore Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship holders coming from the “yellow” and “red” countries may submit a request for an exception and entry permit with supporting documents on the National Police website: ugyintezes.police.hu/en/meltanyossagi-kerelem (in Hungarian or in English).

• Please note that the current restrictions listed above are subject to change as the situation progresses in the coming weeks, therefore those who start or continue their studies as a Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship holder this fall are strongly advised to check the news page of the official websites of the Stipendium Hungaricum programme and Tempus Public Foundation frequently at stipendiumhungaricum.hu and tka.hu/english respectively.

We would like to draw attention to the fact that online enrollment is now open for the courses of the Hungarian higher education institutions. Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship holders are advised to contact their host university to clarify the system in which the university will conduct online enrollment and the framework within which education will begin in the fall (online, offline or in a blended format) in the field of their choice. Pursuant to the Stipendium Hungaricum Operational Regulations, scholarship holders may also decide to postpone their studies, under the conditions specified in the Operational Regulations. However, this option must be chosen only after careful consideration and as a last resort. It is also strongly recommended that all successful scholarship holders accept the scholarship by the given deadline, regardless of the current uncertainties, submit the relevant missing documents through the online system and, where possible, start the visa process. With regard to the visa procedure, we would like to draw attention to the fact that if the scholarship holder encounters difficulties getting to the nearest consulate, then they should consider conducting the visa process at another Hungarian consulate in the given region.

17 Jul 2020