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Hungary

Magyarorszag

Capital:Budapest
Population:9.6M
Currency:Forint (HUF)
Language:Hungarian 98.2%, other 1.8%
Train station in Budapest, Hungary

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Quick Look Factsheet

A multi-page overview of Hungary.

Hungary Factsheet

Customs and Culture

Cultural Attributes

People earnestly wish to become part of an integrated Europe. Accompanying pride in their heritage and past achievements, however, is a historical tendency for pessimism.

Even if one's neighbors are worse off, a Hungarian will express doubt about his or her own future or condition. Hungarians value independence, a strong and stable family, education, security (be it a job, home or social benefits), property (a home, a garden, and a car) access to or ownership of summer cottages and travel outside of Hungary. People admire professionals but do not generally admire the wealthy.

Train station in Budapest, Hungary

Land of the Danube's Splendor

Get More Customs and Culture

6 more cultural topics for members

Social Customs & Etiquette · Diet · Family · Dating Customs · Recreation · Student Life

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Holidays

  • Saint Stephen's Day

    8/20

    Religious

  • Birthdate - Erich Weiss (Harry Houdini)

    3/24

    Birthday

    Birthdate - Erich Weiss (Harry Houdini, world’s greatest escape artist, was born in Budapest, Hungary.

  • Birthdate - Béla Bartók

    3/25

    Birthday

    Béla Bartók Nagyszentmiklós, Hungarian composer and pianist was born in Austria-Hungary. [now Sânnicolau Mare, Romania]

  • Birthdate - Joseph Pulitzer

    4/10

    Birthday

    Birthdate - Joseph Pulitzer, journalist, founder of the Pulitzer prizes, was born in Makó, Hungary.

  • Birth date - Franz Liszt

    10/22

    Birthday

    Birth date - Franz Liszt, Hungarian composer, was born in Doborján, Austria-Hungary (now Raiding, Burgenland, Austria) on Oct. 22, 1811.

  • Christmas

    12/25

    Christmas

    Christmas in Hungary is the greatest festival of the year. Christmas celebrations begin on December 6 and lasts until the New Year. Called Szent-este and pronounced ‘shunt-uh-stay,’ the literal meaning of Christmas in Hungary is Holy Evening.

    Hungarians spend the eve of Christmas with their family and decorate the tree with Szaaloncukor, special Hungarian candies made of chocolate wrapped in marzipan then wrapped in foil and hung on the tree. Other decorations include bon-bons, glass balls, wood or straw figurines, candles and lights. Hungarians sing Christmas Carols around the tree. Children open the presents which are under the tree before dinner.

    There are two occasions when Hungarians can exchange presents. Christmas celebrations start on December 6 when Mikulas, pronounced ‘Mee-coo-lash’ ( Santa Claus) visits Hungary accompanied by Krampusz, pronounced ‘kromm-puhs’ (the devil). Children leave their shoes or boots on the windowsill for him to fill. Mikulas wears bishop’s robes and has a miter on his head and is holding a staff. He has a sack full of toys and gifts on his other hand. There is no Mrs. Claus in Hungary and instead, Mikulas is accompanied by the Devil, who has dry twigs in his hand to hit naughty children. Mikulas usually stuffs the children’s boots with goodies like walnuts, tangerines, candies, apples, dates and chocolate.

    Hungarian Christmas preparations include decorating candles with red and gold ribbons and giving children advent calendars with some candies for every day before Christmas. Most people do not go to Christmas parties for the holidays, but rather stay home and spend time with their families.

    One Hungarian tradition is the ‘Betlehem Play’ where groups of boys go from house to house and perform a play about the holy family for their audience. Songs and poems usually accompany their wonderful costumes.

    Christmas dinner, served on December 24th, Christmas Eve, usually consists of fish, cabbage and a Beigli( a type of poppy bread). After the Christmas meal, many people go to church for Midnight Mass. The highlight of Christmas, the Nativity scene is shown at the Mass where children and adults perform a play enhanced by songs, puppetry and musical instruments.

    Upon returning home, children are not allowed in their houses until a bell is rung. They then enter a darkened room with candles and sparklers. Everyone then sings carols around the tree and exchanges presents. Having already received presents from Mikulas on December 6, the presents opened on Christmas Eve are thought to come from the Three Kings.

    The day after, which is Christmas Day, people go and visit their relatives. There is also a special Hungarian Holiday meal which consists of a roasted turkey, lentils, fish and poppyseed strudel.

Dates of Interest

  • December 25th

    Christmas in Hungary is the greatest festival of the year. Christmas celebrations begin on December 6 and lasts until the New Year. Called Szent-este and pronounced ‘shunt-uh-stay,’ the literal meaning of Christmas in Hungary is Holy Evening. Hungarians spend the eve of Christmas with their family and decorate the tree with Szaaloncukor, special Hungarian candies made of chocolate wrapped in marzipan then wrapped in foil and hung on the tree.  Other decorations include bon-bons, glass balls, wood or straw figurines, candles and lights. Hungarians sing Christmas Carols around the tree. Children open the presents which are under the tree before dinner. There are two occasions when Hungarians can exchange presents. Christmas celebrations start on December 6 when Mikulas, pronounced ‘Mee-coo-lash’ ( Santa Claus) visits Hungary accompanied by Krampusz, pronounced ‘kromm-puhs’ (the devil). Children

How do people greet each other in Hungary?

People often introduce themselves by their surname first, and first names are reserved for friends and relatives. Close women friends may hug and kiss each other lightly on the cheek.

Do

  • Introduce yourself with your surname first
  • Use first names only with friends and relatives

Good to know

  • Adults may address younger people by first name

What are dining customs like in Hungary?

Meals feature famous dishes like goulash and generous use of paprika, with pork and chicken as the most common meats. Lunch is the main meal in rural areas, while dinner is the main meal in urban areas.

Don’t

  • Don't leave food on your plate — it is considered impolite

Good to know

  • Breakfast may be light (rolls and a drink) or heartier with eggs, salami, cheese, yogurt and hot peppers
  • Try goulash, a stew of meat, potatoes, onion and paprika
  • Kindli, a cookie, is served during Purim by Hungarian Jews

How does visiting and hospitality work in Hungary?

Most visits are arranged in advance where possible, though close relatives and friends may drop by unannounced. First-time visits by acquaintances are usually short.

Do

  • Arrange visits in advance when possible
  • Keep first-time visits with acquaintances brief

What should I wear in Hungary?

Clothing generally follows that of other Western European countries, with conservative suits worn for business. Traditional costumes appear only at special cultural events in urban cities.

Do

  • Wear conservative suits for business

What is family life like in Hungary?

An average Hungarian family consists of three people, with the father in a dominant role and both parents usually working. Adult children often live with their parents until married, and the elderly are typically cared for by their children.

Good to know

  • Men share some household responsibilities but traditionally take on outdoor chores
  • Urban newlyweds tend to be older than couples outside major cities

What do Hungarians do for recreation?

Soccer is the most popular sport and water polo is also popular, with many cities offering indoor and outdoor pools. Hungarians like to relax during leisure hours and vacation trips are extremely popular.

Good to know

  • Many people have access to summer cottages for weekend vacations

Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Sources: CountryReports

Photos of Hungary

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Travel and Tourism

Travel Alert Status
Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
Currency
forint (HUF)
Time Difference
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Climate
Temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers
Airports
43
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Recipes

Featured Dish

Kindli (Hungarian Cookie For Purim)

Side Dish

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History

Historical Eras

  1. Magyar Conquest & Árpáds

    896 – 1301

    The Magyar tribes, led by Árpád, settled the Carpathian Basin in 896, founding the Hungarian state. King Stephen I (997–1038) Christianized the kingdom and established a centralized monarchy, earning papal recognition. The Árpád dynasty presided over medieval Hungary's rise, though the Mongol invasion of 1241 devastated the population and reshaped the kingdom's political structure before the dynasty died out in 1301.

  2. Medieval Kingdom

    1301 – 1526

    Following the Árpád line's extinction, Hungary passed through the Angevin and later Jagiellonian dynasties, reaching a cultural and military peak under King Matthias Corvinus (1458–1490), who patronized Renaissance arts and maintained the formidable Black Army. Hungary stood as a major Central European power and a bulwark against Ottoman expansion, though political fragmentation after Matthias's death left the kingdom vulnerable to the catastrophic Ottoman defeat at Mohács in 1526.

  3. Ottoman Partition & Habsburg Rule

    1526 – 1711

    After Mohács, Hungary was divided into three zones: Ottoman-controlled central Hungary, the Habsburg-administered Royal Hungary in the northwest, and the semi-autonomous Principality of Transylvania. The Ottomans' presence accelerated the spread of Protestantism, while Habsburg rulers sought to re-Catholicize and Germanize the population. A prolonged series of anti-Habsburg uprisings, culminating in the Rákóczi War of Independence (1703–1711), failed to dislodge Habsburg authority but preserved Hungarian national consciousness.

  4. Reform, Revolution & Dual Monarchy

    1711 – 1918

    The eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries saw Habsburg-controlled Hungary experience economic stagnation and ethnic suppression, sparking a national reform movement led by figures such as István Széchenyi and Lajos Kossuth. The Revolution of 1848–1849 briefly dethroned Habsburg authority before being crushed with Russian assistance. The Compromise of 1867 created the Austro-Hungarian Dual Monarchy, granting Hungary significant autonomy until the empire's collapse at the end of World War I.

  5. Interwar Period & WWII

    1918 – 1945

    The Treaty of Trianon (1920) stripped Hungary of roughly two-thirds of its territory and one-third of its ethnic Magyar population, generating an irredentist nationalism that dominated interwar politics under Regent Miklós Horthy. Seeking to recover lost lands, Hungary allied with Nazi Germany, regaining some territories via the Vienna Awards of 1938–1940. Germany occupied Hungary directly in March 1944, accelerating the deportation of Hungarian Jews; Soviet forces liberated and then occupied the country by early 1945.

  6. Communist Rule & Transition

    1945 – 1990

    Soviet occupation enabled the Hungarian Communist Party under Mátyás Rákosi to eliminate political rivals and establish a Stalinist state by 1949. Popular resentment erupted in the Revolution of October 1956, which Soviet forces brutally suppressed, installing János Kádár as leader. Kádár gradually introduced market-oriented reforms known as 'Goulash Communism,' making Hungary the most liberal Soviet-bloc economy, until the regime peacefully ceded power following free multiparty elections in 1990.

  7. Democratic Hungary

    1990 – present

    Post-communist Hungary rapidly privatized its economy and reoriented its foreign policy westward, joining NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004. The early democratic period was marked by political alternation between center-right and socialist governments, while the global financial crisis of 2008 deepened economic instability. Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz party, dominant since 2010, have reshaped Hungary's constitutional order and stoked tensions with EU institutions over rule-of-law concerns.

Overview

Refugee writing a letter, Esztergom, 1916

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Timeline of Key Events

  1. 896

    Under the leadership of Árpád, the Hungarian tribes settled in the Carpathian Basin.

    Under the leadership of Árpád, the Hungarian tribes settled in the Carpathian Basin. They drove out part of the residents and absorbed the other part.

  2. 997 – 1038

    King Stephen of the Árpád dynasty ruled the country.

    King Stephen of the Árpád dynasty ruled the country.

  3. 1241

    The Mongolian Tatars devastated the country.

    The Mongolian Tatars devastated the country. Their presence, which lasted a year, halted development for at least a century. After the warfare with the Hungarians, the Tatars did not continue towards the west.

  4. 1458 – 1490

    King Matthias reigned

    The rule of King Matthias. Cultural life of a European standard flourished in his palaces at Buda and Visegrád. For a few decades, Hungary lived on a West European standard.

  5. 1526

    Ottoman Turks defeat forces of Hungarian king at Battle of Mohacs.

    Ottoman Turks defeat forces of Hungarian king at Battle of Mohacs. The beginning of 150 years of Turkish occupation.

  6. 1541

    Hungary was divided into three parts.

    Hungary was divided into three parts. The Habsburg governed the western part of the country, the central area was ruled by the Turks, and the south-east Transylvanian principality (today part of Roumania) for a long time was the citadel of Hungarian culture.

  7. 1703 – 1711

    Hungarian War, led by the Prince of Transylvania, against the Habsburgs failed.

    Hungarian War, led by the Prince of Transylvania, against the Habsburgs failed.

View full timeline (19 events)
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Interesting Facts

  • Hungary had the world's worst inflation rate set in June 1946.

  • Almost 5 million Hungarians live outside Hungary. Over 160,000 Hungarians have made Canada their home. Well-known Hungarian-Canadians include John Polanyi, winner of the 1986 Nobel Prize in chemistry; Peter Munk, head of the construction and development firm Trizec; and Dora Pedery-Hunt, sculptor and member of the Order of Canada.

  • During the 15th century reign of Matthias Corvinus, Buda became a great centre for learning. The splendour of the Hungarian court was renowned throughout Europe.

  • Hot springs in Hungary are used for central heating in homes and for agriculture and industry.

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Geography and Environment

Hungary is located in central Europe’s Carpathian Basin and is about 36,000 square miles in area. The capital city, Budapest, hosts about 2.1 million residents. Hungary has some topographical variation; however, as much as 50% of the country’s territory is flat. The two most important rivers, the Danube and the Tisza, cross the country from north to south.
Terrain
mostly flat to rolling plains; hills and low mountains on the Slovakian border
Climate
temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers
Current Environmental Issues
the upgrading of Hungary's standards in waste management, energy efficiency, and air, soil, and water pollution with environmental requirements for EU accession will require large investments
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People & Demographics

Religion

Languages Spoken

Hungarian 98.2%, other 1.8%

  • Hungarian
  • Magyar

Population

Population
9,589,870
Population in Major Urban Areas
BUDAPEST (capital) 1.737 million
Nationality Noun
Hungarian(s)
Ethnic Groups
Hungarian 89.9%, Roma 4%, German 2.6%, Serb 2%, Slovak 0.8%, Romanian 0.7%

Education

Literacy Definition
age 15 and over can read and write

Health Information

Life Expectancy at Birth
Life expectancy at birth in Hungary stands at approximately 76 years overall, with notable differences between men and women. Hungarian women can expect to live to around 79–80 years, while men have a considerably shorter average lifespan of approximately 73–74 years. This gender gap of roughly six to seven years is one of the more pronounced disparities in the European Union and reflects longstanding differences in lifestyle factors, healthcare engagement, and occupational risks between Hungarian men and women. Hungary's overall life expectancy falls somewhat below the EU average, which hovers closer to 81 years. This gap has been a persistent challenge for the country, rooted in several interconnected public health concerns. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death among Hungarians, accounting for a substantial proportion of mortality. High rates of smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, and relatively low rates of physical activity contribute significantly to this burden. Diet also plays a role, as traditional Hungarian cuisine tends to be rich in animal fats and salt, factors associated with increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Additionally, Hungary has historically had elevated rates of certain cancers, including colorectal and lung cancer, both of which are closely linked to lifestyle choices. In recent decades, Hungary has made incremental progress in improving life expectancy. The post-communist transition period of the 1990s saw a temporary decline in health outcomes due to economic hardship and social stress, but gradual improvements in healthcare infrastructure, access to modern treatments, and public health campaigns have helped push life expectancy upward over the long term. The Hungarian government has implemented various national health programs targeting cardiovascular disease prevention, smoking cessation, and cancer screening, aiming to narrow the gap with wealthier EU neighbors such as Sweden, Spain, and Italy, where life expectancy can reach 83 years or beyond. Continued investment in preventive care and addressing socioeconomic inequalities in health access remain central goals for improving population health outcomes in the coming decades.
Major Infectious Diseases — degree of risk
Intermediate

Life Expectancy

Life Expectancy at Birth
Life expectancy at birth in Hungary stands at approximately 76 years overall, with notable differences between men and women. Hungarian women can expect to live to around 79–80 years, while men have a considerably shorter average lifespan of approximately 73–74 years. This gender gap of roughly six to seven years is one of the more pronounced disparities in the European Union and reflects longstanding differences in lifestyle factors, healthcare engagement, and occupational risks between Hungarian men and women. Hungary's overall life expectancy falls somewhat below the EU average, which hovers closer to 81 years. This gap has been a persistent challenge for the country, rooted in several interconnected public health concerns. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death among Hungarians, accounting for a substantial proportion of mortality. High rates of smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, and relatively low rates of physical activity contribute significantly to this burden. Diet also plays a role, as traditional Hungarian cuisine tends to be rich in animal fats and salt, factors associated with increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Additionally, Hungary has historically had elevated rates of certain cancers, including colorectal and lung cancer, both of which are closely linked to lifestyle choices. In recent decades, Hungary has made incremental progress in improving life expectancy. The post-communist transition period of the 1990s saw a temporary decline in health outcomes due to economic hardship and social stress, but gradual improvements in healthcare infrastructure, access to modern treatments, and public health campaigns have helped push life expectancy upward over the long term. The Hungarian government has implemented various national health programs targeting cardiovascular disease prevention, smoking cessation, and cancer screening, aiming to narrow the gap with wealthier EU neighbors such as Sweden, Spain, and Italy, where life expectancy can reach 83 years or beyond. Continued investment in preventive care and addressing socioeconomic inequalities in health access remain central goals for improving population health outcomes in the coming decades.
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Government & Politics

Country Identity

Country Name
Hungary
Full Country Name
Republic of Hungary
Local - Long
Magyar Koztarsasag
Local - Short
Magyarorszag

Government Structure

Government Type
parliamentary democracy
Legal System
rule of law based on Western model
Executive Branch
chief of state: President Tamas SULYOK (since 5 March 2024) head of government: Prime Minister Viktor ORBAN (since 29 May 2010, reappointed most recently on 24 May 2022) cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term; election last held on 26 February 2024 (next to be held in 2029); prime minister elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president; election last held 24 May 2022 election results: Tamas SULYOK elected president without opposition following the resignation of Katalin NOVAK; Viktor ORBAN elected prime minister following the April 2022 legislative elections in which his Fidesz-KDNP alliance won a fourth consecutive supermajority note: to be elected, the president must win two-thirds of the legislative vote in the first two rounds or a simple majority in the third round; the president serves a largely ceremonial role, with executive power resting primarily with the prime minister
Legislative Branch
unicameral National Assembly or Orszaggyules (199 seats; members are elected by popular vote under a mixed system combining single-member constituencies and party list proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 3 April 2022 (next to be held in April 2026) election results: percent of vote by party - Fidesz-KDNP 54.13%, United for Hungary opposition alliance 34.44%, Mi Hazank 5.88%, other 5.55%; seats by party - Fidesz-KDNP 135, United for Hungary 57, Mi Hazank 6, Democratic Coalition 1
Judicial Branch
Constitutional Court (judges are elected by the National Assembly for nine-year terms)
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Constitution
18 August 1949, effective 20 August 1949, revised 19 April 1972; 18 October 1989 revision ensured legal rights for individuals and constitutional checks on the authority of the prime minister and also established the principle of parliamentary oversight; 1997 amendment streamlined the judicial system
Independence
1001 (unification by King Stephen I)
National Holiday
Saint Stephen's Day, 20 August

Capital City

Capital Name
Budapest
Capital - geographic coordinate
47 30 N, 19 05 E
Capital Time Difference
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

The Hungarian capital city was formed in 1873 from the merger of three cities on opposite banks of the Danube: Buda and Obuda (Old Buda) on the western shore and Pest on the eastern; the origins of the original names are obscure, but according to the second century A.D. geographer, Ptolemy, the settlement that would become Pest was called "Pession" in ancient times; "Buda" may derive from either a Slavic or Turkic personal name

Military

Branches: Hungarian Defense Forces: Land Forces, Hungarian Air Force (Magyar Legiero, ML)

Embassy / Diplomatic Mission

The U.S. Embassy in Budapest

Szabadság tér 12

H-1054 Budapest

Main Telephone: (36)(1) 475-4400

U.S. Citizen Services Telephone: (36)(1) 475-4164

After-hours emergency calls -- for U.S. citizens only: (36)(1) 475-4400.

Fax (36)(1) 475-4188 or (36)(1) 475-4113

Email: acs.budapest@state.gov

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Economy

Hungary has completed its transition from a centrally planned to a market economy and joined the European Union in May 2004.

Snapshot

Currency Name and Code
Forint (HUF)
GDP — official exchange rate
$106,400,000,000 (USD)
GDP Real Growth Rate
1.5%
Gini Index
24.4
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News & Weather

Current Weather

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Latest News

News via Google News

Climate Overview

Temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers

Videos

1 curated YouTube videos.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Hungary?
The population of Hungary is approximately 9.6M.
How do people greet each other in Hungary?
People often introduce themselves by their surname first, and first names are reserved for friends and relatives. Close women friends may hug and kiss each other lightly on the cheek. Do: Introduce yourself with your surname first Use first names only with friends and relatives Adults may address younger people by first name
What are dining customs like in Hungary?
Meals feature famous dishes like goulash and generous use of paprika, with pork and chicken as the most common meats. Lunch is the main meal in rural areas, while dinner is the main meal in urban areas. Don't: Don't leave food on your plate — it is considered impolite Breakfast may be light (rolls and a drink) or heartier with eggs, salami, cheese, yogurt and hot peppers Try goulash, a stew of meat, potatoes, onion and paprika Kindli, a cookie, is served during Purim by Hungarian Jews
How does visiting and hospitality work in Hungary?
Most visits are arranged in advance where possible, though close relatives and friends may drop by unannounced. First-time visits by acquaintances are usually short. Do: Arrange visits in advance when possible Keep first-time visits with acquaintances brief
What should I wear in Hungary?
Clothing generally follows that of other Western European countries, with conservative suits worn for business. Traditional costumes appear only at special cultural events in urban cities. Do: Wear conservative suits for business
What is family life like in Hungary?
An average Hungarian family consists of three people, with the father in a dominant role and both parents usually working. Adult children often live with their parents until married, and the elderly are typically cared for by their children. Men share some household responsibilities but traditionally take on outdoor chores Urban newlyweds tend to be older than couples outside major cities
What do Hungarians do for recreation?
Soccer is the most popular sport and water polo is also popular, with many cities offering indoor and outdoor pools. Hungarians like to relax during leisure hours and vacation trips are extremely popular. Many people have access to summer cottages for weekend vacations
What is the capital of Hungary?
Budapest is the capital of Hungary and by far its largest city, straddling the Danube River where the historic districts of Buda and Pest were unified in 1873. It serves as the country's political, cultural, and economic center. During the 15th-century reign of Matthias Corvinus, Buda became a renowned center of Renaissance learning, and its royal court was celebrated throughout Europe. Today Budapest is recognized for its grand 19th-century architecture, thermal baths, and vibrant café culture.
Where is Hungary located?
Hungary is a landlocked country in Central Europe, situated in the Carpathian Basin at the heart of the continent. It lies roughly at the crossroads of Western, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe, a position that has made it a historical meeting point of empires and cultures. Once the eastern half of the powerful Austro-Hungarian Empire, which collapsed after World War I, Hungary is today a parliamentary republic and a member of both NATO and the European Union, having joined the EU on 1 May 2004 following an April 2003 referendum in which 84 percent of voters approved accession.
What countries border Hungary?
Hungary shares borders with seven countries: Austria to the west, Slovakia to the north, Ukraine to the northeast, Romania to the east, Serbia to the south, Croatia to the southwest, and Slovenia to the west. This central position has historically exposed Hungary to successive waves of conquest and cultural exchange, from the Ottoman Empire to Habsburg rule. The country's borders were significantly redrawn by the 1920 Treaty of Trianon following World War I, a development that left nearly five million ethnic Hungarians living outside the country's current boundaries.
What religion is practiced in Hungary?
Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion in Hungary, adhered to by approximately 67 percent of the population. Calvinism (Reformed Christianity) is the second-largest faith, practiced by around 20 percent, reflecting a strong Protestant tradition particularly in the eastern regions of the country. The remaining population includes atheists, agnostics, and members of smaller religious communities. Christianity has shaped Hungarian identity, art, and calendar life for over a millennium, dating to the Christianization of the kingdom under King Stephen I in the early 11th century.
What is the currency of Hungary?
The currency of Hungary is the forint, with the ISO code HUF. Introduced in 1946 to stabilize the economy after one of the most catastrophic hyperinflations in recorded history — Hungary held the world's worst inflation rate as of June 1946 — the forint has served as the country's monetary unit ever since. Although Hungary is a European Union member, it has not adopted the euro and continues to use the forint for all domestic transactions.
What language is spoken in Hungary?
Hungarian (Magyar) is the official language of Hungary, spoken by approximately 98.2 percent of the population. It belongs to the Finno-Ugric language family, making it one of the few languages in Europe not derived from Indo-European roots and placing it in the same family as Finnish and Estonian. Hungarian is notable for its complex grammar, extensive use of suffixes, and significant differences from neighboring Slavic and Germanic languages. A small proportion of the population speaks German, Romani, Slovak, and other minority languages.
What is the geography of Hungary like?
Hungary occupies a mostly flat to rolling landscape within the Carpathian Basin, dominated by the Great Hungarian Plain (Alföld) in the east and center, and the Transdanubian Hills to the west. The Danube River bisects the country from north to south, while the Tisza River drains the eastern plains. Lake Balaton, in western Hungary, is the largest freshwater lake in Central Europe and a major recreational destination. The country has no coastline and its terrain is generally low-lying, with the Northern Hungarian Mountains forming its highest region.
What is Hungary known for?
Hungary is known for thermal bath culture, with Budapest alone home to dozens of historic bathhouses fed by natural geothermal springs. Hungarian cuisine — anchored by dishes such as gulyás (goulash), lángos, and paprika-spiced stews — has influenced cooking across Central Europe. The country has produced a remarkable number of Nobel Prize laureates relative to its size, and its diaspora includes prominent figures in science and the arts worldwide. Hungary is also recognized for its distinctive folk traditions, Tokaj wine region (a UNESCO-recognized winegrowing area), and its legacy of "goulash Communism," an early experiment in liberalized socialist economics that made it one of the most prosperous states in the Eastern Bloc.

Last reviewed 2026

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