General Information on Hungary
The Hungarians are hospitable people, always ready to offer guests delicious food and excellent wines. Hungary's chefs are rigorously trained through an apprenticeship process dating back to the medieval guild system. Hungarian wines have earned a reputation for high quality, garnering first prizes in a number of international competitions.
The country's unique cuisine has influences from the Central Asian
Magyar founders of the nation, Turks, Germans, French, Austrians, Czechs, Slovaks, Serbians, and Croatians.
While many popular restaurants in Budapest have adapted their cooking
to today's lighter style of eating, traditional Hungarian cuisine is for those with hearty appetites.
Hungary boasts 20 wine-producing districts which make a wide range of wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Gris, Merlot, Riesling, Chardonnay, sparkling, rosé and other unique Hungarian varieties.
You can also visit the vineyards and wineries in almost all regions of the country. The most beautiful landscapes are to be found where the best wine is produced. Grapes and wine have always formed an integral part
of life in the Balaton Region, intertwined with a variety of activities, including work, celebration and mourning.
Lake Balaton, the largest shallow lake in Europe was born 10-12,000
years ago and the area surrounding the Lake is ideally suited for growing grapes. Seven famous wine regions have been formed around the Lake.
Buyers Guide
Any non Hungarian is permitted to purchase properties in Hungary. Approval from the local town hall is a prerequisite. Passport details of the purchaser /s needs to be registered with the notary. All buying costs are the responsibility of the purchaser/s. The purchase agreement contract must be written and approved by a registered Hungarian lawyer/ solicitor.
By Hungarian law solicitors and lawyers are legally entitled to draw up sales contracts and complete sales on properties. In this respect the buyer is safe guarded against any claim through the insurance cover of his solicitor. The solicitor will investigate all necessary searches such as checking that the property is sold free of charges and encumbrances and of vacant posession. The solicitor will always act as the guarantor and will sign as a witness.
The new owner ( having signed the purchase agreement ) will be registered with the land registry within 60 days of signature by the solicitor.
The balance will be paid by the buyer on the day of completion as stipulated in the purchase agreement contract. The ownership of all amenities ( for example electricity, gas, water, telephone etc. ) will be transferred into the name of the buyer by the solicitor.
Population
Hungary 10.04 million
Budapest 1.82 million
Language
Hungarian ( German and English are widely understood. )
Religion
Roman Catholic 65% Protestant 25%
Currency
The unit of currency is Hungarian Forint ( HUF ). In Hungary the abbrevation of Forint is Ft.
Coins : 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 HUF.
Bank Notes : 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000 HUF.
For up-to-date currency exchange rates check www.travlang.com/money/ or www.xe.net
Banks, Currency Exchange
Banks are open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. All banks are closed on Saturdays. Money can also be exchanged at exchange offices, hotel reception desks and travel offices. Currency exchange machines and ATMs operate after hours in Budapest and other cities. It is recommended that all money exchange receipts be kept.
Note : Foreign currency should be exchanged for Forints only in authorized exchange offices.
Credit Cards, Debit Cards and Checks. Major credit cards ( AmEx, Visa, Mastercard, Diners, Cirrus ) can be used in the member shops and businesses. Look for the logo displayed at the entrance. ATMs operate 24 hours a day. Major credit cards and banking cards are accepted.
Telephone, Fax
Hungary country code 36 Budapest area code 1 ( +7-digit number )
Fax machines are available for tourists in main post offices and in many city hotels' Business Centers.
Public phones require 10, 20, 50 or 100 Forint coins, or a pre-purchased phone card ( sold at newsstands, supermarkets, hotels and post offices ).
| Important telephone numbers |
|
| Ambulance |
104 |
| Police |
107 |
| Fire Department |
105 |
| Directory Assistance |
198 |
| International Directory |
199 |
Time
Greenwich Mean Time + 1 hour U.S. Eastern Standard Time + 6 hours
Electricity
The voltage is 220 V/50Hz with European two-prong plug.
Electrical equipment of 110V/60Hz requires the use of an adapter and /
or voltage converter.
Tipping
Restaurant prices in Hungary generally do not include a service charge and it is therefore customary to give a tip, generally equivalent to 10-15% of the bill. For all other tipping, follow the guidelines used in the USA.
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