Hungary Vehicle Registration Process

Registering A Automobile In Hungary: The Process & What To Know

While the nation falls within the bloc of the European Union, coming from another EU nation doesn’t necessarily mean you should not register your car with the state. While most other nations give you leeway if your car is registered and insured in another EU member state, Hungary has a little less gray area.

The official EU portal suggests that you can use a vehicle with a foreign license plate for a maximum of 30 days. After that, you need to register it with Hungarian authorities.

Those with second homes and residencies in Hungary do not need to register their cars with the authorities so long as the vehicles spend less than six months in the country.

Auto Inspection

Vehicles from outside the country need to be inspected for safety and roadworthiness. After the initial inspection, cars older than four years need to be inspected every two years.

Appointments are not required and there is a list of inspection centers. The test typically takes 30 minutes.

When inspectors check the vehicle, they’ll look for the following:

• A windshield clear from cracks and abrasions
• Windows that are not tinted
• A car body free of damage and rust
• Tires with tread of at least 1.6 mm
• Working brakes and shocks
• A working exhaust with little damage
• Working seat belts
• Dashboard lights that work properly

Failing the test does not necessarily preclude you from driving the vehicle. So long as you make the necessary repairs, the vehicle can be inspected again.

If you need to know more about shipping a car to Hungary, our international page for the country has a wealth of information, including costs, required documents, and popular shipping destinations.

Taxes

As with most EU nations, a tax is levied on vehicles. In Hungary, there is a registration tax and a vehicle tax. In addition, there are fees for issuing a registration certificate and an ownership certificate.

Rules For Students

Students are an exception as they usually have intermittent and temporary stays. So long as the vehicle is registered and insured from another EU member nation, students won’t have to register the vehicle. However proof of residence abroad may be needed.

The plus to this is students can also use the same Hungarian roads without paying the tolls.

Driving In The Country

Before you can drive, you need a driver’s license, proof of insurance, proof of ownership, and an international driver's permit, if applicable.

The nation also requires drivers to carry a certain set of items in case of road emergencies. The list includes:

• Reflectors to bounce the light from headlights back
• A warning triangle
• A reflective jacket
• A first-aid kit

In addition, drivers are required to have their headlights on at all times.

Resources For Registering A Car In The Country

Registration & Documents - Information about the registration process, the documents you’ll need, and important contact information for relevant offices and departments

Government Offices - An interactive map with location and information about government offices in Hungary.