Driving rules, and the ones that bite.
- Drive onRight
- Motorway limit130 km/h
- Drink drive0.0 g/L · zero tolerance
- Emergency112
Hungary drives on the right. The motorway speed limit is 130 km/h. The emergency number is 112.
0.0 g/l (zero tolerance for all drivers)
Driving tips
- Motorhomes over 3.5 tonnes are limited to 110 km/h on motorways and 70 km/h on rural roads.
- Daytime headlights must be on at all times, including in bright summer sunshine.
- Your e-matrica must be active before you reach the first motorway camera. There is no physical sticker; the vignette is tied to your number plate.
- Speed enforcement is heavy on main routes, particularly the M1 (Budapest-Vienna) and M7 (Budapest-Lake Balaton).
- Rural roads can be poor away from motorways, with loose verges and long stretches without hard shoulder. Pace accordingly.
- Police can issue on-the-spot fines. Payment is easier by card at a post office (posta) rather than cash at the roadside.
Worth knowing before you go.
Hungary operates a full zero-tolerance drink-drive policy. There is no safe margin; a glass of wine with dinner puts you over. Fines and licence bans are meaningful.
The toll system, and the city emissions rules.
- TollsVignette only
- VignetteRequired
- Emission zoneYes
Hungary's vignette is electronic only and tied to your number plate. Buy before you enter the motorway; cameras check as you pass. You will receive an email or SMS confirmation, keep it in case of roadside checks.
Prices shown are indicative 2026 rates in HUF with approximate EUR conversion. Check hu-go.hu for the exact current price.
Low emission zones
There is no national LEZ scheme and no current LEZ in Budapest, though a zone has been discussed for some years. You do not need an emissions sticker to enter Hungarian cities.
Read our complete guide to motorhome tolls and vignettes in Europe, and our guide to low emission zones.
What to carry, and what to bring.
- Required kit5 items
- Over 3,500 kgspeed stickers, blind-spot stickers
- Documents4 items
- Daytime headlightsRequired
Hungary requires a set of kit to be carried in the vehicle. Most of it is cheap and worth having anyway, so pack it before you leave rather than buy it at a roadside price.
- UK Sticker.
- Warning Triangle.
- First Aid Kit.
- Reflective Jacket. Carry 1 per occupant.
- Headlight Converters. Carry 1 set.
- Spare Bulbs. Carry 1 set.
- E-matrica (e-vignette).
- Towing Mirrors.
Towing a caravan or trailer.
110 km/h
Towing a caravan or trailer.
70 km/h
Towing a caravan or trailer.
HU-GO distance-based (on-board unit or web portal)
Towing a caravan or trailer.
From August 2025, UK trailers over 750 kg must be registered with the DVLA before international travel. Check current DVLA guidance before departure.
Towing a caravan or trailer.
A motorhome towing a caravan may need a higher D2 vignette. Check hu-go.hu before you travel.
Read this before you go.
Motorhomes over 3.5 tonnes cannot use the standard e-matrica. You must use HU-GO, a distance-based toll system with either an on-board unit or pre-paid route tickets via hu-go.hu.
Documents to bring
For your own vehicle, carry your Passport, UK Photocard Driving Licence, Vehicle Log Book (V5C), Insurance Certificate and Travel Insurance Proof.
For a rental or hire vehicle, you also need your VE103 Certificate, Driving Licence Check Code and International Driving Permit (if you still hold a paper licence).
Gas, electric, and the weekly shop.
- LPG fittingDish
- CurrencyHUF
- Emergency112
- Sunday shoppingClosed (shops over 400 sqm)
Hungary has a moderate LPG network of around 200 stations. The standard fitting is ACME. Main operators are MOL and OMV, with coverage concentrated on motorways and main roads. Rural coverage is thinner, so top up when you pass a station rather than waiting.
The main local bottle brands are MOL and Primagaz. They are sold at fuel stations. You will need a matching regulator pigtail to connect to your UK motorhome.
UK Calor bottles cannot be swapped or exchanged anywhere in Europe. Either carry a 3-piece adapter kit or fit a refillable system before you leave. Read our complete guide to motorhome gas and LPG in Europe.
Electric hook-ups
Hungarian campsites typically offer 16A hook-ups as standard, which is enough to run a small heater and a kettle simultaneously without tripping. Voltage is generally stable. Reverse polarity is less common than in France, but a socket tester is still worth carrying.
Lake Balaton sites are the busiest in the country from June to September and should be booked ahead. Thermal-spa campsites at places like Heviz, Zalakaros, and Sarvar are very popular with older UK motorhomers and fill early.
Read our complete guide to motorhome electric hook-ups in Europe.
Where to shop
Supermarkets here: budget chains are Lidl, Aldi, Penny; mid-range chains are Tesco, Spar, CBA, Coop; premium chains are Auchan, Interspar.
Typical opening hours: weekday 06:00/07:00-20:00/22:00; saturday 06:00/07:00-20:00; sunday Many large supermarkets closed; check locally; where to buy Supermarkets.
Hungary's 2015 Sunday trading law restricted larger supermarket opening. The rules have shifted since but many chains still close on Sundays as a default. Lake Balaton and Budapest tourist areas are the main exceptions. Smaller shops and petrol station forecourts usually stay open.
Hungarian wine is excellent. Tokaji, Egri Bikaver (Bull's Blood), and Villanyi are all widely available at supermarket prices well below western Europe.
- Markets (piac) in every town are the best place for fresh fruit, vegetables, and paprika.
- Thermal baths (furdo) are a Hungarian institution. Many are motorhome-friendly with parking or adjacent campsites.
- ATMs are widely available. Use a provider like Revolut, Wise, or Starling to avoid poor exchange rates.
- Pharmacies (gyogyszertar) have a green cross sign and weekend duty rotas.
More detail in our guides to gas and LPG and electric hook-ups across Europe.
Taking a dog, and crossing the border.
- SchengenYes
- AHC requiredwithin 10 days
- Tapeworm on UK returnYes
- Dog leadRequired
To take a dog to Hungary, the standard pet travel rules apply. The detail below covers what your dog needs.
- AHC required. Yes, issued by your vet within 10 days before entry
- Rabies vaccination. Yes, must be at least 21 days old at the time of travel
- Tapeworm treatment for UK return. Required between 24 hours and 120 hours before you arrive back in the UK, administered by a vet
- Breed restrictions. Certain breeds may need muzzle and lead in public. Check before travel.
Pack the dog's Dog lead, Water bowl, Vaccination records and AHC.
Meat, milk, and products containing either cannot be brought into Hungary from the UK. The main exceptions are powdered baby milk and medically prescribed pet food.
Hungary is in the Schengen area.
Schengen area: Yes. EES biometric checks: Yes. You will need to register fingerprints and a photo on entry and exit once the system goes live. Currency: Hungarian Forint (HUF). Euros sometimes accepted in tourist areas at poor rates. Trailer registration (UK): UK trailers over 750 kg require DVLA registration for international travel from August 2025. Mobile roaming: Charges vary by provider since the UK left the EU. Check with yours before you travel.
Useful links
See also our complete guides to the Schengen 90-day rule and taking a dog to Europe.
The questions people ask most.
How do I buy a Hungarian motorway vignette?
Hungary uses an electronic plate-based vignette called the e-matrica. Buy it online at hu-go.hu before you enter a motorway. No sticker is issued; cameras check your number plate. For 2026, a D1 10-day pass is around 13 EUR, a monthly pass around 16 EUR, and an annual pass around 137 EUR.
Is the drink-drive limit really zero in Hungary?
Yes. Hungary has a strict zero-tolerance limit of 0.0 g/l for all drivers. There is no margin for a glass of wine with dinner before driving. Fines and licence suspensions are significant.
Should I carry forints or can I use euros?
Hungary's currency is the Hungarian Forint (HUF). Euros are sometimes accepted in tourist areas but usually at poor exchange rates. Cards are widely accepted. ATMs are easy to find in towns. Budapest, Lake Balaton, and Eger have plenty.
Can I take my dog to Hungary in a motorhome?
Yes. Your dog needs a microchip, a rabies vaccination at least 21 days old, and an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) from your vet issued within 10 days of travel. Coming back to the UK, your vet must administer a tapeworm treatment between 24 and 120 hours before you arrive home.