Safest cities in Hungary
5 cities with 100k+ population · data updated 2026-09-04
What official travel advice warns about
Political situation
- Political demonstrations can be held in Budapest and across Hungary. Rallies often take place on important national holidays, such as 15 March (anniversary of 1848 Revolution) and 23 October (anniversary of 1956 anti-Soviet Uprising). Peaceful demonstrations have sometimes turned violent. Move away from large crowds and monitor local media to help…
Crime
- Protecting yourself and your belongingsTourists can be targets for petty crime. Bag-snatching and pickpocketing are common, especially in Budapest and other cities.
- Scams when paying billsSome bars, clubs and restaurants might charge high amounts for food and drink. Tourists have been taken to cashpoints with demands for the money to pay the bill. Always ask to see the menu and price list before ordering food and check your bill carefully before paying. Be wary of establishments where menus do not properly display prices. Report…
- Bank card fraudUse official ATMs or banks. Do not change money on the street.
- Drink spikingThere have been reports of drinks being spiked, particularly in Budapest’s bars. If your drink is spiked it can make you vulnerable – for example to assault or robbery. Buy your own drinks and keep sight of them.
Laws and cultural differences
- Personal IDAlways carry your passport. You must show ID if the police ask for it, and a copy is not acceptable.
- Illegal drugsIllegal drugs, including cannabis, carry severe penalties. You should expect a long jail sentence and heavy fines for possessing, using or smuggling illegal drugs, including when transiting through the airport.
- LGBT+ travellersSame-sex sexual activity is legal in Hungary. Budapest is generally tolerant and open. Outside of Budapest, showing affection in public may receive unwanted attention. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
Outdoor activities and adventure tourism
- FestivalsIf you are going to a summer music festival in Hungary, see FCDO’s travel checklist for festivals in Europe.
Transport risks
- Public transportOn the Metro, you must validate your ticket at the entrance to the station. On buses, trams or trolley buses, you must validate your ticket immediately after boarding. Remember to:
- Road travelIf you are planning to drive in Hungary, see information on driving abroad and check the rules of the road in the RAC’s Hungary guide. The guide lists driving regulations and other legal requirements you need to be aware of.
- Driving regulationsHungary has a no-alcohol driving policy. It is illegal to drink any alcohol and then drive in Hungary.
- Roads that require an e-vignette (toll)If you want to use major highways in Hungary, you must buy a motorway e-vignette in advance of your journey. The vignette is a form of electronic toll. If you use the roads without buying an e-vignette, you will get a fine.
- Transporting humanitarian or medical aidIf you are planning to transit through Hungary with consignments of humanitarian aid or medical aid, contact the Hungarian Embassy in the UK in advance to apply for a waiver of normal haulage fees.
- Rail travelTake care when travelling by train and keep your belongings in sight. Take extra care on night trains. Never leave bags unattended. Travel with companions where possible and lock your compartment from the inside.
Extreme weather and natural disasters
- Find out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.
Headings and opening lines from the UK FCDO “Safety and security” travel advice for Hungary, updated 2026-08-11 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Read the full advice on gov.uk →
Country figures
- Homicide rate
- 0.7 /100k2024
- Income inequality
- Gini 30.62017
- Human development
- HDI 0.8702023
- Income
- $48,630/yrGNI per capita PPP
- Road deaths
- 7.7 /100kWHO, 2019
- Political stability
- 73/100WGI, 2024 · higher = more stable
- Rule of law
- 60/100WGI, 2024
- Corruption perceptions
- 40/100Transparency Intl, 2025 · higher = cleaner
- Natural-hazard risk
- 2.2/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Women, Peace & Security
- 0.83GIWPS, 2025 · 0-1, higher = better
- Air quality
- 13.7 µg/m³PM2.5, 2023 · WHO guideline is 5
- Safe drinking water
- 100%of population, 2024 · WHO/UNICEF JMP
- Healthcare capacity
- 3.5 doctors /1k6.6 hospital beds per 1,000
Natural hazards
- Flood
- 7.3/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Drought
- 2.6/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Earthquake
- 1.8/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Hazard types scoring under 1 out of 10 are not listed.
Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Hungary (as of 2025).
How Hungary compares
| Measure | Hungary | World median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 0.7 /100k | 2.4 /100k | −1.7 /100k — better for Hungary |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 30.6 | 35.2 | −4.6 — better for Hungary |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.870 | 0.763 | +0.107 — better for Hungary |
| Road deaths | 7.7 /100k | 15.4 /100k | −7.7 /100k — better for Hungary |
| Rule of law | 60/100 | 52/100 | +8/100 — better for Hungary |
| Corruption perceptions | 40/100 | 39/100 | +1/100 — better for Hungary |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 13.7 µg/m³ | 19.7 µg/m³ | −6.0 µg/m³ — better for Hungary |
| Natural-hazard risk | 2.2/10 | 3.8/10 | −1.6/10 — better for Hungary |
| Measure | Hungary | Europe median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 0.7 /100k | 1.0 /100k | −0.3 /100k — better for Hungary |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 30.6 | 30.7 | −0.1 — better for Hungary |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.870 | 0.911 | −0.041 — better for Europe median |
| Road deaths | 7.7 /100k | 5.5 /100k | +2.2 /100k — better for Europe median |
| Rule of law | 60/100 | 74/100 | −14/100 — better for Europe median |
| Corruption perceptions | 40/100 | 57/100 | −17/100 — better for Europe median |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 13.7 µg/m³ | 11.2 µg/m³ | +2.5 µg/m³ — better for Europe median |
| Natural-hazard risk | 2.2/10 | 2.5/10 | −0.3/10 — better for Hungary |
Medians, not means, so one extreme country cannot drag the reference value. Each row compares only the countries that have a published figure for that measure, and differences are plain arithmetic between stored values.