Yes, we recommend our Gold Key Service, which is known to be the most effective way of finding partners in the target market. The Gold Key Service includes arranging appointments for you with selected, prescreened and prequalified Hungarian companies.  We can also provide a customized market briefing if requested. The matchmaking event lasts one or two days depending on interest.  We can also arrange transportation and interpretation for an extra charge.  In addition to counseling and arranging your schedule, the service also includes assistance with hotel reservations at the Embassy rate, and an Embassy commercial specialist accompanying you to the appointments.

In case you are not ready to actually visit Hungary, but still would like a screened, qualified list of potential business partners, an alternative would be the International Partner Search. This includes compiling a list of potential partner companies, based on your specifications, contacting them and checking their bona fides.  We will then provide a report listing those that have expressed interest in doing business with you.

Finally, if you would only prefer to have a list (NOT pre-screened) of companies, we can offer this service as well, on a case-by-case basis.

All these services are fee-based and you can get more information by visiting our website.

For more details, applicable fees or to order one of these services, please contact your nearest U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC).  We have USEACs all over the United States, in almost every state.  For a complete list, please refer to export.gov.

An excellent resource would be the annual Country Commercial Guide for Hungary.

Also, an International Trade Specialist at your nearest Export Assistant Center can assist you to obtain market information and provide information about the wide range of U.S. Commercial Service export promotion programs and services.

Yes, as part of the International Company Profile for-fee service, we will visit your potential partner, verify their business background, contact their suppliers and clients, check their financial standing and reputation, and provide you with a detailed report on our findings.

As an alternative, we can verify basic information about the company in our business databases at no charge.

For more details, please contact us at Office.Budapest@trade.gov, or contact your nearest Export Assistance Center.

Yes, through our Gold Key Service, we can set up appointments for you with various Hungarian government institutions.  If you are having an issue with the Hungarian government, for instance in participating in government tenders, then you should first register with our Advocacy Center in Washington D.C.  Once they have accepted your case, we will decide what the best course of action might be. Similarly, if you believe your company has been treated unfairly by a Hungarian government organization, or you are facing administrative obstacles, we could help you raise your case at the appropriate level, again after you have registered with the Advocacy Center.  Keep in mind that we cannot provide you with legal advice or otherwise act as your lawyer, but we would be happy to provide you with a list of local lawyers if needed.

By Congressional mandate, we cannot really assist U.S. companies to invest overseas. However, we would be happy to provide you with a list of contacts in Hungary who would be eager to assist you in investing here, be it government entities, law firms, accounting firms, etc.  Another source of information would be the Hungary Country Commercial Guide. Our office would also be happy to provide a briefing on the economic and political situation here.  To set up an appointment, please contact Office.Budapest@trade.gov

Yes, U.S. businesses are world-class providers of quality, innovative goods and services and we would be happy to help you find U.S. suppliers and facilitate your initial contact with them.  Also, we could assist you with meeting U.S. exhibitors at appropriate trade events in U.S. and Europe. Our commercial specialists often take groups of Hungarian business people to the U.S. to participate in major trade shows.  While at the show, you can be introduced to U.S. exhibitors that would be happy to discuss business prospects.  For select industry sectors, our office maintains a database of U.S. companies already doing business in Hungary.  We will be happy to compile for you a list of key contacts that could supply the product or service that you need. Please contact us at Office.Budapest@trade.gov

Yes, working with our Select USA office, we can assist you with counseling, identifying areas of interest in the U.S. and introducing you to Economic Development Organizations that would be eager to assist.  You might also consider participating in the annual Select USA Summit, to be held in Washington D.C. in June 2016.  Please visit SelectUSA.gov or our Doing Business in the USA page for more details.

We typically cannot provide assistance for exporting from Hungary (or other nations) to the U.S.  We would, instead, refer you to the Hungarian National Trading House that has several offices in the United States.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Hungary publishes a business directory every year.  It is a reference for Hungarian-American business relations and includes a membership directory with contact information.  For further details, please visit AmCham Hungary.

Although Hungary is part of the European Union, it does not use the Euro as its currency.  The Forint (Ft, HUF) is the official currency of Hungary. However, prices such as hotel rates, sightseeing tours, etc. are often quoted in Euros. Many businesses, even including some select supermarkets, will accept Euros. Do not forget to check the exchange rates, as you might be better off exchanging your currency first and paying in Forints. ATMs are easy to find in Budapest, and there are many options for exchanging cash. Most often, currency exchange kiosks located in tourist areas or shopping malls offer the best exchange rates. Currency exchange is also available at banks at a surcharge.

Avoid changing your money on the street, as you will most likely be scammed.

If you are considering a trip to Hungary, please read the American Citizen Services information on the U.S. Embassy’s website. You should also read the Department of State Background Notes on Hungary and the Department of State International Travel Information on Hungary.

If you are going to live in or visit Hungary, please take the time to sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. If you enroll, you will be kept up-to-date with important safety and security announcements, and this will help your friends and family get in touch with you in case of an emergency.

Local embassy information is available below and at the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates.

The U.S. Embassy in Budapest
Szabadság tér 12
H-1054 Budapest
Telephone: (36)(1) 475-4400
After-hours emergency calls — for U.S. citizens only: (36)(1) 475-4400
The Consular Section’s fax is (36)(1) 475-4113/4188

No, as the U.S. and Hungary have a mutual visa-waiver program.  This means that U.S. citizens may enter Hungary for up to 90 days for touristic or business purposes without a visa. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond your period of stay. You need sufficient funds and a return airline ticket. Furthermore, Hungary is a party to the Schengen Agreement, meaning that once you are in Hungary, you are able to freely travel to most other EU countries.  For additional details about travel into and within Schengen countries, please see our Schengen fact sheet.

Although Hungary is generally a safe place to visit, you should use caution and stay alert. Be especially careful in train stations and crowded tourist areas. In addition, you should avoid demonstrations and political rallies.  Be alert and aware of your surroundings, and pay attention to what the local news media have to say. In general, larger public demonstrations are announced under Demonstration Notices within the U.S. Embassy Budapest website.

The U.S. Embassy’s Consular Section has a special page with further details on common scams and crimes in Hungary.  If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Hungary is 112. Operators can speak English.