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Country Commercial Guides FY 2000: Hungary Report prepared by U.S. Embassy Budapest, released July 1999 Note*

CHAPTER IX. BUSINESS TRAVEL

A. Business Customs

Business customs are similar to those in the United States and Western Europe. Typically, Hungarian business people prefer to develop a relationship on which to base a business connection. Normal business hours are 9:00 to 5:00 PM. It is not uncommon for businesses to close in the early afternoon on Fridays. Luncheons, receptions and dinners are a familiar mode of doing business.

For historical reasons, Hungarians customarily do not clink beer glasses when toasting. Women business visitors should be advised that chivalry is alive and well in Hungary -- the Hungarian greeting by a man to a woman is "I kiss your hand," sometimes accompanied by the act itself. Men and women who are well acquainted kiss each other on both cheeks, right-hand first.

B. Travel Advisory and Visas

There are no travel advisories issued for Hungary. Hungary is generally safe and hygienic, although visitors are advised to guard their personal belongings and automobiles. American citizens traveling to Hungary do not require visas. Those intending to stay for longer than 90 days will require residency permits. With certain exceptions, Americans must obtain both work and residence permits if they are employed in Hungary. To obtain a work permit, a visa for work purposes may be obtained from the Hungarian Embassy in the United States prior to arrival in Hungary. Measures designed to curb work and residence permit abuses have made the procedures more cumbersome and time-consuming. Note: U.S. citizens are prohibited from conducting any kind of commercial transactions with the Aquincum Corinthia Hotel, which is majority owned by a Specially Designated National of Libya.

C. Holidays

Hungary celebrates the following holidays: New Year's (January 1); Revolution Day (March 15); Easter Monday (April 5, 1999); Labor Day (May 1); Whit Monday (May 24, 1999); National Day (August 20); Republic Day (October 23); Christmas (December 25); and Boxing Day (December 26).

D. Business Infrastructure

In addition to MALÉV, the Hungarian national airline, Hungary is served by many international airlines, including Delta, Alitalia, KLM, Lufthansa, British Airways, Austrian Airlines, Olympia, SAS, Air France, Sabena, Swissair, Finnair, El Al, LOT Polish Airlines, Czech Airlines, Aeroflot, Balkan Bulgarian Airlines, Tunisair and Tarom Romanian Airlines. United Airlines and American Airlines have off-line service to Budapest, as well. Travel into the countryside is easily accomplished by car or rail. Hungary is criss-crossed by railway lines that connect most cities. The Hungarian National Railway's "Inter-City" line provides express service to several cities. A hydrofoil can be taken to Vienna. Highways are generally good, with a major construction program to upgrade connections with some outlying cities now served by two-lane roads. With the completion of the M1 highway to Vienna, the trip between Budapest and Vienna takes less than three hours.

In Budapest, there is an efficient subway (3 lines) which is supplemented by a comprehensive bus, tram and trolley system. Taxis are also available; however, it is advisable to phone one of the major taxi companies, rather than hailing at curbside. Hotel taxis are permitted to charge higher rates. Although fares are regulated from the airport, it is wise to ask the price in advance to a destination (airport to downtown is approx. $25). There is also an airport minibus shuttle service which is reliable and costs under $10.

Budapest has five 5-star (Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, Kempinski, Inter-Continental) and several 4-star hotels located near the city center. Hotel facilities vary in quality beyond Budapest.

Telephone service is very reliable in Hungary, including long-distance. Budapest is serviced by three cellular phone systems as well as by several paging services. Calling card services such as AT&T, MCI and Sprint can be accessed from Hungary.

English is regularly used in business contexts. There are, of course, firms, especially smaller ones, whose principals do not speak English. In these instances, an interpreter is often made available. It is nonetheless prudent to ask in advance what interpretation provisions have been made for a meeting.

Hungarians address each other by their family names first, followed by their given names (e.g., Smith John). Business cards follow this convention unless printed in English. It is always advantageous to learn basic greetings in Hungarian. Even the most minimal efforts will be appreciated by Hungarian business partners.

"Foreign Service Posts: Guide for Business Representatives" available for sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington DC 20402, tel: (202) 512-1800, fax: (202) 512-2250. Business travelers to Hungary seeking appointments with U.S. Embassy Budapest officials should contact the commercial section in advance. The commercial section can be reached by telephone at 36 1 475-4236, by fax at 36 1 475-4676 or by email at obudapes@mail.doc.gov. Business representatives are encouraged to visit the Embassy's Website at http://www.usis.hu.