Hungary entry requirements for Latvia passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 19, 2026·View sources
No visa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Latvian passport holders can enter Hungary visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This has been the case since both countries joined the EU. Just make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of your stay in Hungary | Your passport needs to be valid for the entire time you're in Hungary. Since Hungary is part of the Schengen zone, your 90-day visa-free limit applies across all 29 Schengen countries combined — not just Hungary. Airlines at Riga Airport will check this before you board. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from the Schengen zone | Immigration at Budapest Airport routinely asks for a return or onward ticket showing you leave the Schengen area within your 90-day visa-free window. Budget airlines like Wizz Air may deny boarding without one. A bus or train ticket to a non-Schengen country works too. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Border officers at Budapest may ask where you're staying. Have a hotel confirmation, Airbnb booking, or a host's address and phone number ready. If staying with a friend, a simple invitation letter with their Hungarian address and ID number helps. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself during the stay | Hungarian law requires you to have about 10,000 HUF (roughly €25) per day of stay. A bank statement or credit card with available limit works. In practice, officers rarely ask unless you look like you might work illegally or overstay. | Recommended |
Schengen area rules apply
Your 90-day visa-free stay applies to the entire Schengen area, not just Hungary. So if you've already spent 30 days in France earlier this year, you only have 60 days left for Hungary and other Schengen countries combined.
What happens at the border
1
Prepare your documents
Before you leave, gather your passport (check the 6-month validity), print or screenshot your return ticket, and save your accommodation booking confirmation. Keep them in a folder on your phone or in a physical folder.
2
Arrive at Budapest Airport (BUD) or other entry point
At passport control, join the queue for non-Schengen or 'All Passports' if you're arriving from outside the Schengen area. Latvian passports are EU, so you'll use the EU/EEA lane if arriving from a non-Schengen country.
3
Present your passport
Hand over your passport. The officer may ask about the purpose of your visit, how long you're staying, and where you're staying. Answer briefly and honestly. They rarely ask for supporting documents, but have them ready.
4
Receive entry stamp
The officer will stamp your passport with the entry date. This stamp is your proof of legal entry. Keep your passport safe for the rest of your trip.
Download Hungary Entry Checklist
PDF · Latvia Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 19, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days
Validity3 months from issue
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
For stays beyond 90 days or if visa-free entry is not available. Apply at Hungarian embassy.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity6 months to 5 years
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
Requires proof of multiple trips. Useful for frequent travellers.
Long-stay visa (D visa)
Max stayOver 90 days
ValidityUp to 1 year
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
For work, study, or family reunification. Requires sponsorship and additional documents.
work visa
Hungarian Work Visa (Employment Residence Permit)
Up to 2 years, renewable
€80 (~$87 USD) application fee
For Latvia holders with a job offer in Hungary. Requires employer sponsorship, work permit, and proof of qualifications. Allows long-term residence and family reunification.
student visa
Hungarian Student Visa (Study Residence Permit)
Up to 1 year, renewable based on studies
€80 (~$87 USD) application fee
For Latvia holders enrolled in a Hungarian educational institution. Requires acceptance letter, proof of funds, and health insurance. Allows part-time work.
investor visa
Hungarian Investor Visa (Residence Permit for Investment)
Up to 5 years, renewable
€80 (~$87 USD) application fee + investment of at least €300,000
For Latvia holders investing in Hungarian real estate or business. Requires proof of investment and clean criminal record. Fast-track option for high-value investments.
retirement visa
Hungarian Retirement Visa (Residence Permit for Pensioners)
Up to 1 year, renewable
€80 (~$87 USD) application fee
For Latvia holders aged 65+ with sufficient pension income. Requires proof of accommodation and health insurance. No work allowed.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)For stays longer than 90 days or if visa-free entry is not available. Apply at Hungarian embassy/consulate. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Same fee as single entry, but allows multiple entries within validity. Requires justification. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayOverstaying the 90/180-day limit can result in fines and entry bans. Pay at immigration office or border. | €50 per day (~$54 USD), max €500 (~$545 USD) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds for stay30%
No return or onward ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Hungary
No transit visa needed
Latvia passport holders do not need a transit visa to change planes at any Hungarian airport, as they are visa-free for the Schengen area. You may stay in the international transit zone without passing through immigration.
Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsBudapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) · Debrecen International Airport (DEB) · Hévíz-Balaton Airport (SOB)
Health & vaccines for Hungary
Recommended vaccines
Routine vaccines (MMR, DTaP, polio, varicella, influenza)EssentialHepatitis ARecommendedHepatitis BRecommendedRabiesConsiderTick-borne encephalitisRecommended
Health risks
Tick-borne encephalitisModerate risk
Present in forested areas, especially in the north and west. Use insect repellent and check for ticks.
Lyme diseaseModerate risk
Transmitted by ticks in rural areas. Remove ticks promptly and seek medical care if symptoms develop.
Food and waterborne diseasesLow risk
Standard hygiene precautions are sufficient. Tap water is safe to drink in most areas.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Budapest
National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (NDGAP)
Budapest, Károly krt. 11, 1075 Hungary
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Main office for visa extensions, residence permits, and overstay fines. Bring all original documents and copies.
Debrecen
Debrecen Regional Directorate of NDGAP
Debrecen, Piac u. 42, 4025 Hungary
Mon–Fri 08:00–15:00
Handles immigration matters for eastern Hungary. Appointments recommended.
Practical information for LV travellers
Country basics
CapitalBudapest
LanguageHungarian
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS license valid for up to 1 year.
Money
CurrencyHungarian Forint (HUF)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 311.09 HUF
Time zone
Local timeUTC+1
vs New York+6h (EST) / +6h (EDT)
vs Los Angeles+9h (PST) / +9h (PDT)
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,FType C, F — US plugs do not fit. Bring a European adapter.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Safe to drink in Budapest and major cities.
Emergency numbers
Nearby destinations you can also visit
Countries close to Hungary — with your same passport.
Frequently asked questions
No. Latvia is an EU member, and Hungary is also in the EU. You can stay visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies to tourism, business meetings, or visiting family.
Up to 90 days within any 180-day rolling period. The clock resets after you've been outside the Schengen area for 90 consecutive days. Overstaying can result in fines or a ban.
No. The visa-free period cannot be extended. If you need to stay longer, you must apply for a long-stay visa (e.g., for work, study, or family reunification) at the Hungarian embassy in Latvia before you travel.
You may be denied boarding or entry. Airlines are strict about this rule. Renew your passport before you travel. If you're in a hurry, check for expedited processing at the Latvian passport office.
It's not routinely asked, but immigration officers can request it. Have a bank statement or credit card available. A general guideline is about €50-70 per day of your stay, but this is rarely enforced for EU citizens.
You risk a fine (typically around €100-300), a formal warning, or even a re-entry ban to the Schengen area. The exact penalty depends on how long you overstay and the officer's discretion. It's best to leave on time.
If you're staying in a hotel, they handle the registration automatically. If you're staying in a private residence (e.g., with friends or Airbnb), the host must register you with the local immigration office within 3 days of your arrival. This is their responsibility, not yours.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 19, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.