Exploring Hungary: Entry Requirements From Austria

In the past, Hungary has had a fluctuating relationship with Austria, with the two countries even sharing a monarch between 1867 and 1918. In more recent times, Hungary has allowed entry to refugees from the Middle East, Asia and Africa, who have been travelling through Austria to reach Hungary. However, in 2015, Hungary posted adverts in Lebanese and Jordanian newspapers, warning migrants not to enter the country illegally. In 2024, Hungary eased entry restrictions for several non-EU countries, allowing travellers to enter by presenting a negative PCR test.

Austria-Hungary's history as a dual monarchy

Yes, it is possible to enter Hungary from Austria. In fact, Austria-Hungary, also known as the Austro-Hungarian Empire, was a dual monarchy from 1867 to 1918.

The Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867 transformed the Habsburg Monarchy into an alliance of two sovereign states, with Emperor Franz Joseph as the single monarch. The two halves of the empire, Cisleithania (the Austrian half) and Transleithania (the Kingdom of Hungary), had their own constitutions, governments, and parliaments. The citizens of each half were treated as foreigners in the other.

The dual monarchy was a real union, with a common army, foreign policy, and monarch. The citizens of each half were treated as foreigners in the other. The two halves conducted unified diplomatic and defence policies, with "common" ministries of foreign affairs and defence under the direct authority of the monarch. A third common ministry, the finance ministry, was responsible for financing the two "common" portfolios.

The Austro-Hungarian Empire was one of the major powers in Europe at the time. It was the second-largest country in Europe geographically and the third-most populous, after Russia and the German Empire. It was among the ten most populous countries worldwide and had the fourth-largest machine-building industry in the world.

The internal structure of the Hungarian half of the Empire, or Transleithania, was dominated by the Kingdom of Hungary, which included the Kingdom of Croatia and Slavonia. The Magyars were the dominant nation in Hungary, but it was a multi-ethnic structure, with the Magyars only making up a small majority (54.5%) in 1910. The Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867 restored territorial integrity to Hungary and gave it more real internal independence than it had enjoyed since its defeat to the Ottoman Empire in 1526.

The Austrian half of the empire, or Cisleithania, consisted of seventeen historical crown lands, including Bohemia, Bukovina, Carinthia, Carniola, Dalmatia, Galicia, Küstenland, Lower Austria, Moravia, Salzburg, Silesia, Styria, Tyrol, Upper Austria, and Vorarlberg. Attempts to centralize these lands failed due to their heterogeneity. The 1867 constitution defined Cisleithania as a multinational state, granting numerous rights to the individual nationalities.

The dual monarchy was dissolved shortly after Hungary terminated the union with Austria on 31 October 1918.

Current entry requirements for Hungary

As of August 2024, Hungary has eased entry restrictions for arrivals from several non-EU countries. According to the Hungarian Gazette, travellers from the following areas can enter Hungary as long as they present a negative PCR test result from within the last 72 hours:

• European Union and Schengen Area Member States
• Countries mentioned in the decree of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in agreement with the Ministry of Public Security

Previously, Hungary required vaccinated travellers from Russia to present a negative PCR test result. Now, Russian travellers no longer need to be vaccinated to enter Hungary.

In addition, COVID-19 health passes are not required for foreigners to stay in accommodation places, visit restaurants, or access tourist attractions in Hungary.

Hungary's neighbouring countries—Austria, Slovakia, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, and Ukraine—can now enter the country without any restrictions.

For those entering Hungary by land, there are no border controls between Hungary and other Schengen countries. However, it is important to note that Hungary is not part of the Schengen Area, and travellers may be subject to border checks when entering from a Schengen country.

When arriving in Hungary by air, travellers from outside the EU may need to fill out an entry form and present a negative PCR test result or proof of vaccination.

It is always recommended to check the latest travel advice and entry requirements before travelling to Hungary or transiting through the country.

The refugee crisis in Hungary

Hungary has been at the forefront of the European refugee crisis, with thousands of refugees arriving in the country since 2015. The country's response to the crisis has been highly controversial, with the Hungarian government taking a hardline anti-immigration stance that has included building fences along its borders and detaining asylum seekers. This has led to strong criticism from human rights groups and the European Union, which has called for Hungary to take in more refugees as part of an EU-wide resettlement quota.

A Country Under Siege

In March 2017, the Hungarian parliament approved a law enabling all asylum seekers in the country to be detained and forced back into neighbouring Serbia. Prime Minister Viktor Orban, leader of the right-wing populist Fidesz party, claimed that Hungary was "under siege" from refugees and that the country could only count on itself for protection. Orban has also stated that he believes refugees are Muslim invaders and that they pose a threat to Europe's Christian identity and culture.

Detention Camps and Pushbacks

The new legislation allows refugees to be locked in border camps made of shipping containers while their cases are decided. Applications are declared inadmissible for anyone who entered Hungary from Serbia or a "safe third country", and the appeal period has been cut to just three days. The law also allows authorities to detain all adult asylum seekers and summarily return those refused to the Serbian border as part of "crisis" measures.

Human Rights Concerns

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has expressed deep concern over the measure, stating that it makes it nearly impossible for asylum seekers to enter the country, apply for asylum, and receive international protection. Humanitarian organizations have also appealed to the European Commission to intervene, saying that the law is "at odds with EU, human rights, and refugee law". There have also been continuing reports of abuse by Hungarian border police, with migrants claiming to have been beaten, filmed, and photographed.

EU-Wide Resettlement Quota

Hungary has strongly opposed an EU-wide resettlement quota, which would require the country to take in a certain number of refugees. In 2018, the European Court of Justice rejected a challenge to the quota by Hungary and Slovakia. Despite this, Hungary has continued to refuse to accept refugees, with Orban stating that his country "doesn't want to be forced" to take in people from majority-Muslim countries.

Impact on Hungarian Politics

The migration question is highly emotive in Hungary and has been skilfully used by the ruling Fidesz party to attract voters. However, the opposition Socialist Party has accused Orban of "gambling and losing" by suing the European Commission over the refugee quota. With elections approaching, Orban has ramped up his anti-migrant statements, seeking to solidify his party's position.

The Hungarian government's response to the refugee crisis

Border Fences and Transit Zones: In 2015, Hungary constructed fences along its southern borders with Serbia and Croatia to curb the influx of refugees. This led to a significant drop in daily arrivals, with Hungary going from being the second-highest receiver of asylum applications in the EU to being outside the Western Balkan migratory route. In addition, the government established transit zones at Röszke and Tompa as the only legal entry points for migrants, resulting in lengthy waiting times of up to a year for those seeking asylum.

Amendments to Asylum Legislation: Hungary made several amendments to its asylum laws, designating Serbia as a safe third country, expediting asylum determinations, and limiting procedural safeguards. Climbing over or damaging the border fence was criminalized and punishable by imprisonment. A series of legal changes also allowed police to push back migrants who had "illegally" entered the country within 8km of the border.

Refusal of EU Refugee Quotas: Hungary has vehemently opposed the EU's refugee quota system, refusing to abide by the decision to redistribute asylum seekers across member states. This stance led to a legal battle with the EU, with the European Court of Justice hearing the case against Hungary's non-compliance.

Strict Asylum Procedures: Hungary implemented stringent asylum procedures, with most single men having little chance of having their asylum requests considered. Between September 2015 and December 2016, nearly 3,000 people were prosecuted for "prohibited crossing of the border closure." The acceptance rate for asylum applications was extremely low, with less than 1% of applications approved—the lowest in the EU.

Detention of Migrants: Hungary detained asylum seekers, including children, throughout their asylum procedures. This practice was deemed a violation of the right to liberty by the European Court of Human Rights, and the country was condemned in the Ilias and Ahmed v. Hungary case in 2017.

Complications in Asylum Application Process: Hungary introduced requirements for asylum seekers to submit a "statement of intent" at specific embassies before applying for asylum. This complicated the asylum procedure, resulting in a significant drop in the number of applications.

Financial Burdens and Border Costs: Hungary has appealed to the European Commission to contribute to the costs of constructing and maintaining its southern border fence, amounting to €880 million. However, the Commission rejected this request, stating that it does not fund border fences.

While the Hungarian government has defended its actions as necessary to protect its borders and national security, these measures have been criticized by human rights organizations and the EU for their detrimental impact on asylum seekers and their infringement on international and EU law.

The impact of the refugee crisis on Austria

Austria, along with Germany and Sweden, absorbed the largest number of asylum seekers relative to its population size during the refugee crisis of 2014-2016. The crisis saw hundreds of thousands of migrants and refugees cross from Hungary into Austria, with many hoping to travel on to Germany. However, around 90,000 applied for asylum in Austria, equivalent to about 1% of its population.

The labour market integration of refugees in Austria was affected by various factors, including age, length of residence in the country, German language skills, gender, and the presence of children. Refugees with higher levels of qualification, women, and young people were strongly affected by the Corona crisis in the labour market. Refugees with larger migrant networks were more vulnerable in the labour market, experiencing more frequent movements between employment and unemployment. However, these networks also helped refugees find niche employment opportunities during the crisis, such as delivering food and parcels.

The refugee crisis also had social implications for Austria. There were reports of football hooligans and people shouting abuse and calling refugees "scum" as they made their way to the Austrian border. Additionally, the country's asylum policies and deportation procedures came under scrutiny, with Austria facing criticism for its handling of asylum claims and its use of the Dublin regulation to deport asylum seekers back to their first country of entry into the EU.

Overall, the refugee crisis of 2014-2016 had a significant impact on Austria, both economically and socially. The country struggled to integrate large numbers of refugees into the labour market and faced challenges in terms of social cohesion and asylum policies.

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