BUDAPEST - USEFUL INFORMATION

Language
Hungarian (German and English are widely understood.)

Religion
Roman Catholic 65%
Protestant 25%

Time
Greenwich Mean Time + 1 hour
U.S. Eastern Standard Time + 6 hours

Electricity
The voltage is 220 V/50Hz with European two-prong plug.
Electrical equipment of 110V/60Hz requires the use of an adapter and/or voltage converter.

Currency
The unit of currency is Hungarian Forint (HUF). In Hungary the abbrevation of Forint is Ft.
Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 HUF.
Bank notes: 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000 HUF.
US$ 1 = approx. 230Ft (January 2003). For up-to-date currency exchange rates check http://www.xe.com/ucc/

Banks, Currency Exchange
Banks are open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. All banks are closed on Saturdays. Money can also be exchanged at exchange offices, hotel reception desks and travel offices. Currency exchange machines and ATMs operate after hours in Budapest and other cities. It is recommended that all money exchange receipts be kept.
Note: Foreign currency should be exchanged for Forints only in authorized exchange offices.

Telephone, Fax
Hungary country code 36
Budapest area code 1 (+7-digit number)
International pre-dial
00 + country code + local number
Domestic long distance pre-dial
06 + area code + local number
Cell-phone numbers are 9-digit,
after dialing 06, the first two numbers depend on the telephone company: 20, 30 or 70.

Important telephone numbers
Ambulance: 104
Police: 107
Fire Department: 105
Directory Assistance: 198
International Directory: 199

Public phones
require 10, 20, 50 or 100 Forint coins, or a pre-purchased phone card (sold at newsstands, supermarkets, hotels and post offices).

Emergency Telephones
24-hour medical assistance: Falck SOS Hungary. Tel: 200-0100
24-hour dental assistance: Tel: 267-9602
Ambulance: 104
Police: 107
Fire service: 105
Inland enquiries: 198
Universal enquiries: 197
International enquiries: 199
Autó club-help number: 188
Speaking clockk: 180
Emergency service: 112
Tourinform telephone enquiries: 438-8080

In Case of Passport Loss
You should report the loss of your passport to the following authority:
Budapest and Pest County Directorate of the Office for Immigration and Citizenship
Address: 1117 Budapest, udafoki út 60.
Telephone: 463-9165 463-9181
Open: 24 hours

If your passport is stolen, you must report the loss to the local district police headquarters.
The Budapest Police Command has a round-the-clock service in the centre of town: Tourist Police (Budapest V. Vigadó u. 6)

Pharmacies
Budapest’s pharmacies (gyógyszertár in Hungarian) are well stocked and can provide medicaments for most common ailments. The location of the nearest all-night chemist is displayed on the door of every pharmacy.

International collect calls
Can be made from a private line or public payphone. A coin or phonecard has to be inserted to initiate the call.
International operators:
AT&T 00 8000 1111
MCI 00 8000 1411
SPRINT 00 800 0 1877

Tipping
Restaurant prices in Hungary generally do not include a service charge and it is therefore customary to give a tip, generally equivalent to 10-15% of the bill. For all other tipping, follow the guidelines used in the USA.

Entering Hungary - Health Requirements
No immunizations are required.

Currency Regulations
There is no restriction on the importing of convertible currencies if the amount does not exceed the equivalent of 1,000,000 Ft. For the import of currencies over this amount, it is advisable to fill out a "Certification of Values Entered".
The declaration should be made both entering and leaving the territory of Hungary. If large amounts of undeclared currency are discovered during routine inspections, the customs authority may investigate and, if a criminal act is suspected, initiate criminal proceedings. (According to the Act 24 of 1994 on Prevention and Impending of Money Laundering).
For more information see the website of the Hungarian customs authorities: www.vam.hu or www.vaminfo.hu

Opening hours

• Shops: food shops are open from 7 am - 6 pm, clothes shops between 10 am - 6 pm Mon. to Sat.
  Most shopping centres are also open on Sun. Tesco is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Office hours: generally from 8am - 4 pm Mon. to Fri. Post offices: Mon. - Fri: 8 am - 6 pm, Sat 8 am - 1 pm
• Banks: Mon - Thu: 8 am - 3 pm, Fri: 8 am - 1 pm.

Leaving Hungary
Items purchased or received as a gift worth up to 200,000 Ft are not subject to custom fees.

VAT Refund
Non-resident travelers may apply for a refund of up to 16% of the general sales tax (AFA) on goods purchased in Hungary, with the exception of works of art, collections and antiques, under the following conditions:

• The single or total value of the goods on one original invoice, including AFA, must exceed 50,000 Ft.
• Not more than 90 days may elapse between the time of purchase and the time of export.
• The goods must be taken out of the country in new condition; that is, they may not be used in Hungary. More information: www.hungarytourism.hu
• At the time of departure the purchase must be presented to the customs officer, together with the AFA refund claim form, a detailed fiscal invoice and the Tax Free Envelope. These 3 items must be obtained from the place of purchase
• You should also retain the receipts of your currency exchange for Ft and enclose it with your documents. If using a credit card, enclose the credit card receipt.
• Make sure to get the a customs stamp or the refund is not possible. If departing Hungary by plane, you should go to the customs office immediately after receiving your boarding pass at check-in and before you pass security control.
• You may receive your VAT refund in cash immediately at the airport (look for the VAT refund desk at the IBUSZ office) or by bank check sent to your home address or as a payment directly to your credit card. Mail refunds must be requested no more than 6 months after date of purchase.