Hungary Emergency Numbers 2026: 112, Magyar Autoklub

Universal emergency number: 112

The European Emergency Number 112 works across all of Hungary for any emergency: police, ambulance, fire. Three things visitors should know:

• Free from any phone: even foreign mobiles without credit, locked phones, or phones without a SIM card
• English-speaking operators: 112 in Hungary has multilingual coverage; German is also common near the Austrian border (Sopron, Szombathely, Gyor). Hungarian is difficult for foreign speakers, so 112 is strongly preferred over 104/105/107
• Automatic location (AML): a smartphone sends its own position to the emergency centre. Handset-derived caller location has been mandatory across the EU since December 2020 under Directive 2018/1972, and every phone sold in the EU has had to support it since March 2022. On Android 4.1 or later and iOS 11.3 or later it happens by itself; on an older phone your position is only estimated from the mobile mast.

If unsure which service you need, always call 112. The operator will dispatch the right service.

Specific emergency numbers

When to use 104, 105 or 107 specifically?

• 104 ambulance: serious medical emergency requiring paramedic or ambulance
• 107 police: criminal incident, immediate danger, road accident with injuries
• 105 fire: fire, gas leak, water rescue, vehicle extrication

For visitors: 112 is always the right choice if you are not sure. Hungarian-language calls to 104, 105 or 107 require basic Hungarian; 112 has multilingual operators.

Motorway-specific: SOS phones and highway police

Orange SOS phones

Every 2 kilometres along Hungarian M-motorways, an orange emergency phone is mounted next to the hard shoulder. Free to use, automatically geolocated, direct line to the motorway police (Autopalya Rendorseg).

How to use:

1. Pull onto the hard shoulder with warning triangle 50 metres behind
2. Walk to the nearest SOS phone (never more than 1 km away)
3. Press the button; the operator answers in Hungarian, English or German
4. Describe your situation; help dispatched by autopalya rendorseg or breakdown truck

The phones work without coins or cards; they are always free.

M-motorway network and coverage

The main routes with dense SOS-phone coverage:

• M1 Budapest - Gyor - Hegyeshalom (Austrian border toward Vienna, ~170 km)
• M3 Budapest - Nyiregyhaza - Vasarosnameny (Ukrainian border)
• M5 Budapest - Kecskemet - Szeged - Roszke (Serbian border)
• M7 Budapest - Balaton - Letenye (Croatian border)
• M6 Budapest - Dunaujvaros - Ivandarda (Croatian border)
• M0 Budapest ring road (partial ring around Buda and Pest)

Outside M-motorways (main roads and country roads without SOS phones), dial 112 directly.

What to do at an accident scene

Hungarian law requires specific actions when you are involved in or witness an accident. Penalties for leaving the scene: driving licence disqualification up to 3 years and fines up to HUF 500,000 (approximately €1,369).

If you are involved

1. Stop in a safe place: as far to the right as possible. Put on hazards.
2. Put on reflective vest before exiting (legally required inside the vehicle within reach)
3. Help any injured: stabilise the situation. Do not move someone with suspected spine injuries unless fire risk.
4. Call 112 with location and number of injured. Stay on the line until released.
5. Exchange details with other parties: name, address, registration, insurance details, photos of damage
6. Fill in the European Accident Report (Balesetbejelentesi lap) if the cars are damaged; both drivers sign
7. Stay until police arrive if there are injuries or damage above HUF 300,000 (~€822) or you cannot reach agreement
8. Do not move the vehicles until photographed, unless they create a hazard

If you are a witness

1. Stop your car safely; do not block the road
2. Call 112 if no help has arrived
3. Provide first aid if able (Hungarian Criminal Code Section 166: duty of care, up to 3 years prison for failing)
4. Stay until emergency services arrive to provide a witness statement

Hit-and-run cases

If the other driver leaves the scene, note:

• Make, model and colour of the vehicle
• Registration plate if visible
• Direction of travel
• Any distinguishing features

Report to police immediately via 107 or 112. Hungarian police take hit-and-run seriously; CCTV coverage on M-motorways is dense, especially near Budapest.

European Accident Report (Balesetbejelentesi lap)

Pre-printed form in Hungarian, available from your insurance. Fill in both versions:

• Both drivers details (name, address, insurer, policy number)
• Vehicle details (make, registration)
• Description of accident with arrows on a small diagram
• Both drivers sign

The form is the standard EU accident report. UK, German, and other foreign insurers also use it.

If you do not have a form: take photos of both cars, exchange details, write the description in English or your language on any paper. Both drivers sign.

Breakdown assistance

Hungary has one main national breakdown service (Magyar Autoklub) and a highway concessionaire service on tolled M-motorways. Process for breakdowns:

Step 1: Pull over safely

• Move to the hard shoulder (or as far right as possible)
• Switch off engine, put on hazards
• Put on reflective vest BEFORE exiting (HUF 5,000 fine if not; check your rental has one)
• Walk passengers off the road behind the crash barrier
• Place warning triangle 50 metres behind on motorway; 100 metres if approaching a bend

Step 2: Call for help

Options in order of preference:

1. Your UK or EU breakdown insurance: most cover Europe (AA Plus, RAC Premium, Green Flag, ADAC Auslandsschutzbrief). Phone the number on your card.
2. SOS phone (motorway): connects to autopalya rendorseg which coordinates a local breakdown truck
3. Magyar Autoklub on 188 (from Hungarian mobile) or +36 1 345 1800 (international): 24/7 pay-per-use service for non-members
4. 112: from anywhere, ask for a breakdown (autoszerviz) connection

Step 3: Wait for help

• Stay behind the crash barrier with passengers
• Do not attempt roadside repairs on M-motorways
• Pay-per-use tow via Magyar Autoklub: approximately HUF 30,000-80,000 (€82-219) within 50 km, more for distance and after-hours

Step 4: Cost recovery

If you have UK or EU insurance covering Europe:

• Keep all receipts (tow, repairs, hotel if overnight stay)
• Report to your insurer within 7 days
• Use the European Accident Report or a separate breakdown report

UK breakdown providers in Hungary

Check your existing UK insurance: many provide European cover automatically up to 30 days per year. Premium credit cards (American Express Platinum, Chase Sapphire) often include unlimited European travel cover.

Hospital and medical care

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and GHIC

UK residents post-Brexit: the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) replaces the EHIC. Free, valid 5 years, covers state-provided medical care across the EU including Hungary. Order at gov.uk/global-health-insurance-card.

EU citizens: use the EHIC issued by your home country.

What it covers:

• Emergency hospital treatment
• Doctor consultations
• Most prescriptions
• Maternity care

What it does not cover:

• Private clinics (FirstMed Center, MedCity, Rozsakert Medical Center)
• Repatriation to home country
• Pre-existing conditions

Get a separate travel insurance for repatriation and private care.

Hungarian hospital emergency departments

Hospitals with an emergency department are labelled “Surgoseti”. Search “surgoseti [city]” on Google Maps.

Major hospitals near tourist areas:

• Budapest: Peterfy Sandor Utcai Korhaz (central), Szent Janos Korhaz (Buda), Semmelweis University Clinical Center, FirstMed Center (private, English-speaking)
• Balaton: Somogy Megyei Kaposi Mor Oktato Korhaz (Kaposvar), Zala Megyei Szent Rafael Korhaz (Zalaegerszeg)
• Debrecen: Kenezy Gyula University Hospital
• Pecs: Pecsi Tudomanyegyetem Klinikai Kozpont
• Szeged: Szegedi Tudomanyegyetem Klinikai Kozpont

Wait times: 1-4 hours for non-urgent, immediate for life-threatening. English staff availability varies.

Pharmacies

Hungarian pharmacies (Gyogyszertar or Patika, green cross sign) provide:

• Prescription dispensing
• Non-prescription medication
• Basic medical advice

24/7 pharmacy: search “gyogyszertar ugyeletes” on Google Maps or check gyogyszertar.eu for the on-duty pharmacy nearest you. In Budapest, Teleki Ter Patika and Rakoczi ut Gyogyszertar are common 24/7 options.

Lost or stolen belongings

For lost or stolen items (not life-threatening):

Reporting theft

Go to the nearest police station (rendorkapitanysag) within 24 hours. The written report (feljelentes) is needed for insurance claims and replacement passport. In Budapest, the central tourist police office is at Vigyazo Ferenc utca 4, near the Basilica.

For stolen wallets with credit cards: call your bank IMMEDIATELY to freeze the cards. UK bank phone numbers are typically on the back of your card.

Phone contacts to save before your trip

Save these in your phone before leaving:

• Your UK or EU breakdown insurance (number on your card)
• Your travel insurance emergency line
• Your bank for credit card freezing
• 112 (already universal but worth confirming on your phone)
• Magyar Autoklub 188 (or +36 1 345 1800 from abroad)
• UK Embassy Budapest: +36 1 266 2888
• Hotel or accommodation phone numbers
• Local taxi (Bolt and Fotaxi work in Budapest, Debrecen, Szeged)

Practical tips for visitors

• Call 112 from anywhere in Hungary: it is free and the operator speaks English (Hungarian is difficult for foreigners, so 112 is strongly preferred)
• Save Magyar Autoklub 188 as your first-call breakdown number if you have no other cover
• Carry your insurance Green Card and rental contract at all times
• Wear reflective vest BEFORE exiting in any breakdown or stop; HUF 5,000 fine if not
• Put warning triangle 50 metres behind on motorway, 100 metres if approaching a bend
• Keep HUF 20,000 or €50 cash for emergencies (Hungarian Forint, not Euro, is the domestic currency; Euro accepted at large hotels and touristy areas but marked up)
• Pharmacy green cross signs indicate open pharmacies
• Hospitals with “Surgoseti” sign are the emergency departments
• Insurance Green Card is required for non-EU vehicles including UK post-Brexit
• Save your breakdown insurance number before driving away