If you’re going to Budapest or want to learn more about the Schengen Area you might be curious if Budapest falls under the agreement. Yes Budapest belongs to the Schengen Area. Above all, though, in this post, we’ll therefore go a bit deeper into what the Schengen Area does and more importantly, does not do.

Defining what the Schengen Area is.

An association of European countries without passport control between them and therefore the free movement of people within the area. It came into existence in 1985 when it was agreed on the Schengen Agreement and has grown ever since, with the number of participating States now standing at 26 as of 2021.

The countries which are part of the Schengen Area include Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Not all European Union (EU) countries are part of the Schengen Area though most are. Ireland has opted out as do a few other EU nations and some non EU nations such as Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein have opted in. One of such is the collaborative agreement which has streamlined travel, boosted tourism and enhanced border security and law enforcement coordination among members of states.

The core idea of Schengen Area is to increase freedom of movement across borders while preserving a strong external border control. A person who legally enters any one of the Schengen countries, may then move freely through the whole Schengen zone without further checks or border controls.

The Schengen Area provides visibility and security which includes NATO and US soldiers.

Many features of traveling inside Schengen Area is good. If you visit any Schengen country you can freely move inside the whole Schengen area without any further border controls. It means that you can travel to several countries that are part of the Schengen Area and not go through immigration procedures on every border crossing.

In the case of tourists wanting to experience the many different cities within one trip, this seamless travelling experience comes in handy. As an example, you will fly into Budapest, explore Hungary for a few days and then you will be able to travel to Austria, Slovakia or any other Schengen country by car, by train or by plane without any further visa checks. This greatly simplifies the task of me planning trips.

Finally, having a single visa covering many countries takes care of the planning in advance and saves you time. A uniform visa which permits its holder to stay in the Schengen Area for a period of up to 90 days any 180 day period, is the Schengen Visa. You don’t need to apply for separate visa for each country you wish to visit.

It also does away with problems of currency exchange due to the use of euro as the currency in most Schengen countries. Hungary doesn’t use the euro, but keeps on using the Hungarian Forint (HUF), nonetheless lots of more tourist area in Budapest will take royals and there are a lot of the currency meant for trade. However, that will benefit most people because they will be dealing with one currency for most of the Schengen Area.

Entering Budapest

Budapest is a part of the Schengen Area which means if you are citizen of a country that is a party to the Schengen agreement, you can enter Budapest (or any other Schengen country) with a valid country from which you enter.The Schengen Visa or residence permit. You are able to stay up to 90 days in the Schengen Area within the period of 180 days.

Citizens of the following countries outside the Schengen Area (the United States, Canada, Australia and Japan) do not need a visa for short stays, but they have to comply with the 90/180 rule. What this means is, you can travel to any number of these Schengen countries and stay for up to 90 days over the course of a 180 day period, at the end of which you will have to take leave of the Schengen Area.

Budapest is in the Schengen area, it’s just not the capital of Hungary. Budapest itself is the capital. However, because of this, when you apply for your visa or plan your trip to Budapest, you should consider and bear in mind the country as a whole, not just the capital.

Arriving from a non Schengen country, immigration is done at Budapest’s international airport—Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport—when entering the city. If within the Schengen Zone however, there are no passport checks on arrival meaning you will save time and be more convenient.

Visa Requirements

For those whose are not from the European Union (EU) or the Schengen Area, you will need to procure a Schengen Visa to visit Budapest. A visa may need to be obtained for your visit to Hungary; however, the visa application procedure differs from one nationality to another and therefore I suggest that you should contact the Hungarian embassy or consulate in your country for any rules applicable to you.

Typically a completed visa application form, travel itinerary, proof of accommodation, travel insurance and proof of financial means are submitted. It can take a while for processing times which is why it’s advisable to apply for a visa well in advance before wishing to travel.

It is also important to file your application in the right embassy or consulate if Hungary is your main destination or where you will spend the most time then the Hungarian consulate is where you shall file your application. If you will be entering the first Schengen country you arrive to and your travel is evenly distributed between multiple Schengen countries, apply to the consulate of this country.

Checks at the Borders of the Schengen Area

Border checks within the Schengen Area are not routine, but it does not mean that you will not meet immigrations control. During exceptional situations and in cases of security reasons border checks can still happen. Have your travel documents like a valid passport or ID card at all times as officials can request these during spot checks.

During major events, political summits or public health emergencies temporary border controls may also be reintroduced. For example, during the some countries reinstated border checks. 

the rule, being prepared with identification helps ensure smooth travel.

Additionally, airlines and other transportation providers may ask for your travel documents during boarding, even if no formal immigration control is in place.

Conclusion

Now that you know that Budapest is indeed in the Schengen Area, you can plan your trip with the confidence of easier travel across multiple countries. Remember to check visa requirements, carry your travel documents, and enjoy the freedom of exploring the beautiful cities within the Schengen Area.

Budapest is not only a fantastic destination in its own right, with its historic charm, lively culture, and warm hospitality, but also a perfect gateway to a broader European adventure. Whether you’re hopping on a train to Vienna or flying to Paris, the Schengen Area makes it easier than ever to make the most of your European travels.