Last updated on April 30th, 2026 at 04:58 pm
Is Hungary safe? The short answer is yes. Like most other countries in Europe, Hungary is generally considered safe to travel to. But the answer also depends on what we refer to when calling a country safe. This article aims to discuss the main variables that are taken into consideration when creating a safety index for a country. Therefore, this article will most likely answer all the questions regarding how safe Hungary is and how to minimize risks in this European country. We will take into account the global peace index, crime rates, acts of terrorism, and health concerns.
General travel advice
It’s a good idea to be familiar with local laws and customs, as well as to have travel insurance protection in case anything unexpected happens.
One of the best things you can do to ensure your safety while traveling is to educate yourself. Do some research about the destinations you want to go to and the things you want to do.
ℹ️ Read More: The Best Itinerary For Spending 10 Days in Hungary.
A copy of your passport, ID, and other essential documents should always be carried with you, along with knowledge of the local emergency contact numbers.
Global Peace Index
According to Vision of Humanity website, Hungary hold the 17th place in the world’s safest countries in 2025. That’s really impressive, considering that it outranks other European countries like Germany or Spain. The index takes into account not one, but 25 different variables like military expenditure, access to weapons, or political instability, to calculate the ranks.
ℹ️ Related: How safe is Belgium and how to travel safely there?
Crime rates
The level of crime is generally low in Hungary. As of 2026, its safety index is 66.71. It’s safe to walk on the streets both during the day and at night. According to Numbeo, there has been a reported increase in criminality in the past few years, which is mostly associated with property crimes, such as vandalism and theft. Corruption and bribery also spike the numbers up, but all these problems are rarely life-threatening and usually don’t affect tourists.
🟢 Level of crime: Low
🟠 Crime increasing in the past 5 years: Moderate
🟢 Worries home broken and things stolen: Low
🟢 Worries being mugged or robbed: Low
🟢 Worries car stolen: Low
🟢 Worries things from car stolen: Low
🟢 Worries attacked: Low
🟢 Worries being insulted: Low
🟢 Worries being subject to a physical attack because of your skin color, ethnic origin, gender or religion: Low
🟢 Problem people using or dealing drugs: Low
🟠 Problem property crimes such as vandalism and theft: Moderate
🟢 Problem violent crimes such as assault and armed robbery: Low
🔴 Problem corruption and bribery: High
What to do: It’s a good idea to keep your valuables, such as passports and wallets, in a secure location when visiting Hungary. Pick-pocketing can be an issue in busy places, including on public transit and in popular tourist destinations. Be aware of your surroundings and always keep your possessions with you to prevent becoming a target.
Traffic accidents
Hungary’s traffic is a mild source of safety concern. Due to the relatively large number of traffic accidents in the country, it’s crucial to exercise caution when crossing the street and use seat belts whenever you’re behind the wheel or riding in a car.
Terrorism
There are no reported acts of terrorism in the recent history of Hungary. Although an attack cannot be ruled out, there are no real reasons to worry. Therefore, Hungary is considered to be very safe from this point of view.
Risk of diseases
There are no serious diseases that would pose a high risk for travelers, although if you plan on doing many outdoor activities, you should consider TBE (Tick-borne Encephalitis) vaccine. If you think you might encounter wild animals, rabies vaccination could be an option. In the past, the COVID-19 vaccine was also strongly recommended to all travelers visiting Hungary, but right now there are no regulations imposing it. Check other recommendations from CDC for visiting Hungary.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Hungary is a safe country for tourists and is generally regarded as not posing any major threats for its visitors, but it is always vital to exercise caution and keep up with current events to guarantee a safe and pleasurable trip. Do you want to book a trip now?
FAQ
Most people agree that Budapest is a safe place to visit. Just as in any other big city, you should always be aware of your surroundings and take the necessary safety precautions. Pick pocketing and other small-time crimes can occur in popular tourist destinations, so it’s wise to be aware of your belongings and exercise caution when using public transportation and visiting tourist hot spots. All things considered, Budapest is a stunning and lively city that many tourists visit without any problems regarding their safety.
For American tourists, Hungary is usually regarded as a safe place. The country welcomes tourists from all over the world, including the US, and the majority of them report having an enjoyable vacation. As with any trip, it’s important to use caution and follow normal safety procedures.
Yes, Hungary is generally safe for women. Walking alone as a solo female traveller is also safe, especially during the day and in the western parts of Hungary. Violent crimes are rare, but precautionary measures are recommended in isolated or unlit places.
While Budapest is generally more welcoming towards people in the LGBTQ+ community, people in other parts of the country can be more conservative. The country itself has prohibitive laws regarding LGBTQ+ content and restricts events such as Pride. The most common type of aggression that queer people can experience is verbal harassment, which is why it is recommended to keep a low profile and not draw unwanted attention.
Yes, Hungary is generally safe for black people, with no significant outliers compared to other European countries. However, Hungary has a relatively low number of black tourists, and locals can sometimes stare at them out of curiosity, especially in rural or remote areas.
Yes, Hungary is generally safe for Indian tourists, especially in the capital. However, since Romani (people of Indian descent often discriminated for their past reputation) are the largest minority in Hungary, some indian tourists may be mistaken for people of Roma ethnicity and may experience fearful looks or even harassment. Otherwise, Hungarian people are welcoming towards brown people.