Real experience of people from chats on «Safety» in Hungary — as it is, no fluff. For your case — ask Luky.
From real experience
Accessing the Hungarian VFS website can be problematic, with users encountering 'session expired' messages or temporary account blocks due to 'suspicious activity'. Using a VPN can often resolve access issues. Account blocks for suspicious activity are usually temporary and resolve automatically within approximately one hour.
At Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD), passport control and customs procedures typically occur before reaching the departure gates. When departing for international destinations like Istanbul, you will pass through border control and potentially customs. It's important to have your passport ready as it is usually required for these checks. Procedures can vary, but generally, these security and immigration checks precede boarding.
Travelers departing from Budapest (Hungary) may occasionally face random customs checks regarding the possession of Euro currency, especially for those transiting to non-EU countries. While not systemic, travelers should be prepared for potential questioning and personal belongings inspection.
When traveling by train from Hungary to Bratislava (Slovakia), passport checks are generally not conducted at the border. The journey is typically seamless, and no specific border checks are expected during the train ride itself.
When traveling, particularly on internal routes within certain regions or when crossing borders of specific countries (e.g., Germany, Poland, Latvia), passport and visa checks can occur. These checks might happen at train stations, during flights, or at border crossings. Passport data is often scanned and checked against databases. In some cases, additional documentation or pre-travel declarations may be required.
If stopped at the entrance by controllers and asked for ID, state your age is 65. If asked for a passport, present it. If no controller is at the entrance, a controller may check your passport inside the train car. This policy seems to be related to potential age-based travel benefits or restrictions.
EES (Entry/Exit System) process at Budapest airport: 1. A staff member (not the border guard) photographs the traveler and their passport while in the queue. 2. Upon reaching the border guard, fingerprints are requested. The process is automated and typically involves minimal verbal interaction.
The Hungarian consulate in Moscow has been observed conducting random checks on accommodation bookings after visa issuance. Canceling hotel reservations before the trip is a common cause for sudden visa cancellation. It is strongly advised to maintain valid bookings that match the travel itinerary to avoid denied entry at the border.
Regarding the security of bank information after obtaining a visa, Hungarian consulates generally cannot directly verify your bank account balance or transactions after a visa has been issued. Russian banking secrecy laws and personal data protection regulations prevent banks from disclosing client information to third parties without explicit consent or a formal legal request from law enforcement. If you provided a bank statement as part of your visa application, moving funds between accounts afterward is unlikely to lead to visa cancellation. However, it is advisable to use the same bank accounts for which you provided statements during the application process to maintain consistency. For unemployed applicants, a letter from an employer confirming employment (if available) is generally preferable to applying as unemployed, provided the employer can verify the employment if required. Spouses working as lawyers can provide a certificate from their bar association instead of a 2-NDFL, as a formal employment record is not always maintained in such professions. If family members are applying from different cities, it is usually permissible as long as the sponsorship relationship is clearly documented.
If experiencing persistent login errors or 'blocked account' warnings on the Hungarian visa application portal: 1) Clear browser cache and history. 2) Try a different device and network (or VPN). 3) If blocked, waiting 2-4 hours or creating a new account with a different email may resolve the issue.
Cancellation of hotel reservations after visa issuance can trigger automatic visa cancellation by the Hungarian consulate. Travelers caught in this situation risk being classified as illegal aliens. Immediate departure from the Schengen zone is usually advised by experienced travelers to minimize the risk of a formal deportation record.