Useful information for foreign drivers for driving in Hungary in 2025

2025. 05. 26. 15:31

Hungary is becoming an increasingly popular destination for foreign drivers due to its excellent accessibility from many European countries. However, in addition to purchasing the appropriate highway vignette, understanding the local traffic rules is crucial for safe and hassle-free travel. This article provides a detailed guide to the most important traffic information that every foreign driver should keep in mind.

Table of contents

• What mandatory equipment must be in the car?
  • Type B first aid kit
  • Warning triangle
• What are the speed limits in Hungary?
  • How much is the fine for speeding?
• What are the parking regulations in Hungary?
• Hungarian highways and main routes
• What highway vignettes are available in Hungary?
  • 2025 Hungarian highway vignette prices
  • Unauthorized highway use
• Summary

What mandatory equipment must be in the car?

In Hungary, all drivers are required to carry certain mandatory items in their vehicles, such as a first aid kit, warning triangle, high-visibility vest, and a spare wheel. The absence of these can result in a fine, so it is advisable to check your car's equipment before your journey. The list of required items is defined in Decree 6/1990 of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Construction (KÖHÉM).

Type B first aid kit

The contents of a Type B first aid kit are a mandatory requirement for passenger cars, trucks, motorcycles with sidecars, agricultural tractors and slow vehicles, as well as buses operating exclusively on scheduled routes. The kit typically includes sterile bandages, sterile gauze, adhesive plasters, and disinfectant solution or iodine pads.

It should be noted that the kit contains items with expiration dates, and these must be replaced once expired.

Warning triangle

A warning triangle is also a mandatory item for all vehicles. It must be placed behind a broken-down vehicle at a sufficient distance so that approaching drivers can see it in time and react accordingly. On highways, the triangle must be placed 250 to 500 meters behind the vehicle; on other roads outside urban areas, 150 to 250 meters; and within urban areas, 50 to 100 meters behind the vehicle in the traffic lane.

What are the speed limits in Hungary?

Speed limits for passenger cars, motorcycles, and vehicles with a maximum permitted gross weight of up to 3.5 tons in Hungary:

• In urban areas: 50 km/h
• Outside urban areas: 90 km/h
• On expressways: 110 km/h
• On highways: 130 km/h

It is important to adhere to these speed limits, as speeding can result in significant fines.

Caution is also advised, as lower speed limits may apply on certain road sections or under specific weather conditions. These are always indicated by road signs.

How much is the fine for speeding?

Speeding is strictly penalized in Hungary, and fines have increased in recent years. Speed is monitored by cameras installed in various parts of the country, and roadside speed checks are also common. Therefore, it is always advisable to respect the speed limits—for your own safety and that of others.

What are the parking regulations in Hungary?

It is important for foreign drivers to know that parking regulations in public areas in Hungary are determined not only by national laws but also by local municipal decrees. This means that each city—and even different zones within cities—may apply different payment rules, time limits, and rates. However, there are general rules that apply throughout the country:

• The government and municipalities can designate paid parking zones
• Fees may only be charged if occupancy exceeds 70%
• The amount and hours of parking fees are set by the local government
• The minimum payable period via meter or mobile is at least 15 minutes
• Detailed rules are defined in municipal regulations

Hungarian Highways and main routes

Highways in Hungary are designated with the letter “M” (e.g., M1, M3), and they form the most important transport corridors in the country. Highways provide fast travel between different regions.

• M1 Highway: Connects Budapest towards Vienna. Important for Western European traffic.
• M3 Highway: One of the longest highways, connects Budapest to Eastern Hungary, up to Nyíregyháza.
• M4 Highway: Heads east from Budapest, connecting with Szolnok and Debrecen. Important for transit traffic from Romania and Ukraine.
• M5 Highway: Stretches between Budapest and Szeged, crucial for reaching southern regions.
• M6 Highway: Leads south towards Pécs, connecting internal parts of the country.
• M7 Highway: Main route from Budapest to Lake Balaton. Extremely busy during summer.
• M8 Highway: Runs in a west–east direction.
• M0 Highway: Encircles Budapest as a ring road, enabling quick bypass of the capital.

What highway vignettes are available in Hungary?

Most Hungarian highways require a valid highway vignette to use. The types of vignettes available are:

• Daily vignette
• Weekly vignette
• Monthly vignette
• Annual county vignette
• Annual national vignette

It is important to choose the correct vignette type, as using the highways without a valid or proper vignette may result in fines.

Daily vignette: Valid throughout the entire country from the time of purchase until 23:59 the same day. If bought in advance, validity starts at 00:00 on the specified day and ends at 23:59.

Weekly (10-day) vignette: Valid nationwide for 10 consecutive calendar days starting from the day selected by the buyer, up to 24:00 on the 10th day.

Monthly vignette: Valid on all toll highways from the start date selected by the buyer until the same calendar day of the next month at 24:00. If this date does not exist in the following month, validity lasts until the last day of the month at 24:00.

Annual county vignette: Valid on all roads within the selected county and up to the first interchange of neighboring counties. Valid from January 1 of the year until January 31 of the following year.

Annual national vignette: Valid throughout the entire country from January 1 of the year until January 31 of the following year. If purchased mid-year, validity starts at the time of purchase.

2025 Hungarian highway vignette prices

Note: Prices from hungary-vignette.eu. The above amounts include VAT. Prices may change due to exchange rate fluctuations.

Unauthorized highway use

The presence of a valid vignette is verified electronically. If you use the highway without one, you can expect significant fines.

Penalties

If the fine is not paid in time, the amount increases. Therefore, it is essential to check vignette validity before using the highway.

Surcharge differentials

Summary

Hungary remains a popular destination for foreign drivers in 2025, but knowing the local rules is essential for safe and fine-free travel. Key information includes speed limits, mandatory vehicle equipment, parking regulations, and the required highway vignettes. Toll highways may only be used with a valid highway vignette—failure to comply can lead to fines of several hundred euros. It is highly recommended to purchase the appropriate highway vignette before departure. This can be done quickly and conveniently at hungary-vignette.eu.