Rail passenger rights in Hungary (2026)

Last reviewed: 30 October 2026

In short: Regulation (EU) 2021/782 applies in Hungary, but Hungary exempts its (sub)urban, regional and long-distance domestic services from key articles. A refund option applies from a 60-minute delay on long-distance and international services. Compensation of 25% or 50% of the ticket price applies to international services only.

RuleWhat applies
Legal basisDelayed or cancelled train journeyRegulation (EU) 2021/782 applies to domestic and international rail journeys and has applied since 7 June 2023. Hungary has exempted some domestic services from parts of it. [1]
Refund or re-routing from a delay ofDelayed or cancelled train journey60 minutes of delay [1]
Compensation for a delay of 60 to 119 minutesDelayed or cancelled train journey; International rail services to or from Hungary25 % of ticket price [1]
Compensation for a delay of 120 minutes or moreDelayed or cancelled train journey; International rail services to or from Hungary50 % of ticket price [1]
Enforcement bodyDelayed or cancelled train journeyMinistry of Construction and Transport, Rail Regulatory Body (Építési és Közlekedési Minisztérium, Vasúti Igazgatási Szerv), Budapest [2]

Notes

  • Hungary exempts (sub)urban and regional services from almost all articles of the Regulation, including Article 18, and exempts long-distance domestic services from Article 19 and Article 20(2)(a)-(b) until December 2029 (Commission table, situation on 9 July 2026). The refund option therefore applies to long-distance domestic and to international services. Passenger rights on exempt services are not covered here.
  • Hungary exempts all domestic services from Article 19: long-distance services until December 2029, and (sub)urban and regional services as part of a wider exemption (Commission table, situation on 9 July 2026). The compensation scale therefore applies to international services only. For international services with a significant part outside the EU, Hungary exempts only Article 20(2)(a)-(b).
  • Body listed by the European Commission (update of 3 December 2025); the Commission states each Member State is responsible for the accuracy of its entry.

Sources

  1. European Union (EU Publications Office): Regulation (EU) 2021/782 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2021 on rail passengers' rights and obligations (recast) (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
  2. European Commission, DG MOVE: National Enforcement Bodies under Regulation (EU) 2021/782 on rail passengers' rights and obligations (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.