Hungary

Sirens and MoLaRi: Hungary uses sirens and the MoLaRi public alarm system, especially in areas with industrial or disaster-related risks.

If sirens or loudspeaker messages are activated, go indoors, close windows and doors, switch off ventilation and air conditioning, follow radio or official updates and obey instructions from the authorities.

Country: Hungary

• Country code: HU
• Official language: Hungarian
• Currency: Hungarian forint (HUF)
• Time zone: Central European Time, Central European Summer Time in summer
• Power supply: normally 230 V / 50 Hz, plug types C and F

Hungary generally has well-developed infrastructure. During a prolonged power outage, communication, transport, card payments, heating, cooling, lifts, petrol stations, supermarkets and parts of the water supply may be disrupted.

Additional risks may come from heat waves, storms, flooding on the Danube and Tisza, winter weather or industrial incidents.

The most important emergency numbers in Hungary should be saved offline and also kept on paper.

• 112: general emergency number for ambulance, fire service and police
• 104: ambulance / emergency medical service
• 105: fire service / civil protection
• 107: police
• +36 80 201 199: ETTSZ toxicological information service, free from Hungary
• +36 1 476 6464: ETTSZ from abroad or at normal tariff

Use emergency numbers only for real emergencies. During a large blackout, lines should not be blocked by general enquiries.

Hungary uses several information and warning channels. These include the VÉSZ disaster management app, sirens and MoLaRi, radio, television and local authority information.

• VÉSZ: alerts and information about weather, accidents and dangerous situations on a smartphone or tablet.
• MoLaRi / sirens: public alerts in affected areas.
• Radio: during a power outage, a battery, crank or car radio is important.
• Municipality / police / disaster management: local instructions may differ depending on the situation.

Mobile data and apps may fail during a blackout. Important information should therefore not be stored only digitally.

For Hungary, private preparedness for several days up to about two weeks is sensible. Supplies should be usable without electricity.

• Plan drinking water and beverages for everyone in the household.
• Store long-life food that can be eaten cold or prepared easily.
• Keep medicines, first-aid supplies and personal long-term medication available.
• Prepare a battery or crank radio, torches, spare batteries and power banks.
• Keep cash in small notes, as card payments and cash machines may fail.
• Keep important documents, phone numbers and addresses also on paper.
• With alternative cooking or heating, watch for fire and carbon monoxide risks.

In case of power outages, the first responsible contact is usually the local grid operator or energy supplier. General hazard and disaster management information in Hungary is communicated by the disaster management authority and local authorities.

For Dominican citizens, the available information indicates that the Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Vienna is also relevant for Hungary.

Travellers should save important contacts offline before travelling and not keep them only on a mobile phone.