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On 4 September 2020 the Hungarian Government announced the amendment of Government Decree no. 408/2020 (VII.30.) on the rules of entering the territory of Hungary (the “Amendment”). The Amendment came into force on 5 September 2020.
Entering the territory of Hungary
1. Restrictions on non-Hungarian citizens
As a main rule, the entry into Hungary of those who are not Hungarian citizens or Hungarian residence permit holders is still prohibited, however the Amendment introduces several new exceptions from this general prohibition.
A. PCR tests carried out in certain countries outside Hungary are accepted by the Hungarian authorities. From 5 September PCR tests carried out in the Schengen Area, the United States of America or Canada are also accepted by the Hungarian authorities as a first test of the two tests to be carried out 48 hours apart, practically meaning that only one test shall be carried out in Hungary in order to receive an exemption from the 14 day mandatory quarantine.
B. Non-Hungarian Citizens and non-residents may freely enter Hungary provided upon crossing the border they evidence the business or economic nature of their trip.
C. A non-Hungarian performer or member of the technical staff of a cultural event held in Hungary may also enter the country, subject to presenting the negative results of two PCR tests carried out 48 hours apart, not more than 5 days prior to entering Hungary. The above-described persons may enter Hungary even if they have undergone only one PCR tests, however, such test was carried out not more than 3 days prior to the event and the result was negative.
D. A spectator at an international sports or cultural event may also enter the territory of Hungary, but may be required to undergo a medical examination and must leave Hungary within 72 hours from entering. Upon entering the country the spectator is obliged to present the ticket to the event and the negative test result of a PCR tests carried out not more than 3 days prior to the event.
2. Restrictions on Hungarian citizens and residents of Hungary
As a general rule, Hungarian citizens and residents of Hungary who have a permit allowing them to stay in Hungary for more than 90 days may enter Hungary without any restrictions, but may be required undergo a medical examination upon return, and in case of suspected infection the person shall be subjected to a mandatory 14 day quarantine.
A new exception from the general rule was introduced by the Amendment, stating that if a Hungarian citizen leaves the country due to business or economic reasons, which the Hungarian citizen proves upon return, the citizen may return to Hungary without restrictions and the mandatory 14-day quarantine shall not be ordered. In case there is any doubt as to the authenticity of the documents proving the business or economic nature of the travel, the citizen may be required to undergo a medical examination, and a 14-day quarantine is required from which the competent epidemiological authority may grant an exemption based on two negative PCR tests carried out 48 hours apart.
These newly introduced rules are subject to uncertainties and ambiguities and it is anticipated that enforcement of the rules may not be uniform and that further changes will be made, driven both by political factors and the development of the epidemic.
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