Emergency Care in Budapest
As a foreign tourist visiting Budapest, it’s essential to be prepared for any unforeseen circumstances, including medical emergencies. This article provides a comprehensive guide to emergency care in Budapest, including important phone numbers and information about healthcare services available to tourists.
Emergency Care in Hungary
According to Hungarian law, everyone in the country has the right to emergency care, regardless of their nationality or insurance status. In case of a life-threatening emergency or urgent need, you can call 112 for assistance and use the ambulance service free of charge. If you are a citizen of a European Union Member State and hold a European Health Insurance Card, you can also receive free emergency primary health care in Hungary.
Important Emergency Telephone Numbers
In case of an emergency, keep these important numbers handy:
- Pan-European emergency phone number: 112
- Ambulance: 104
- Police: 107
- Fire Brigade: 105
- Tourist Police: +36 1 438 8080
- Health line: 1812
24/4 Pharmacies
If you find yourself in need of medicine outside of regular opening hours in Budapest, there are several on-duty pharmacies (known as “ügyeletes gyógyszertárak/patikák” in Hungarian) that can come to your aid. These pharmacies are open during the night and on weekends to ensure that residents and visitors have access to essential medications at all times.
In the city center, you can find the following on-duty pharmacies:
- Széna Tér Patika: Located at 1015 Budapest, Széna tér 1. (Buda, Castle District)
- Szűz Mária Gyógyszertár: Situated at 1051 Budapest, Hercegprímás utca 21. (City center, Bazilika)
- Teréz Gyógyszertár: Found at 1067 Budapest, Teréz körút 41. (City center, Nyugati Railway Station)
- Déli Gyógyszertár: Located at 1123 Budapest, Alkotás utca 1/B (Buda, Déli Railway Station)
- Három Sas Gyógyszertár: Situated at 1082 Budapest, Baross utca 70-72. (City center)
- BENU Gyógyszertár Budapest Béke tér: Found at 1135 Budapest, Lehel utca 74.-76. (outer Pest)
- Fővám téri Gyógyszertár: Located at 1056 Budapest, Fővám tér 4. (City center, Central Market Hall)
In addition to these central locations, there are also several 24-hour pharmacies in the outer districts of Budapest:
- Őrmezei Központi Gyógyszertár: 1112 Budapest Balatoni út 2/a (South-Buda)
- Bartók Gyógyszertár: 1115 Budapest, Bartók Béla út 98-102 (Kelenföldi Railway Station)
- Kopaszi Non-Stop Gyógyszertár: 1117 Budapest, XI Napkelte utca 3. (Buda)
- 0-24 Gyógyszertár és Állatpatika: 1037 Budapest, Bécsi út 314 (Óbuda)
- Újpesti 0-24 Gyógyszertár: 1047 Budapest, Attila utca 12-18 B épület földszint 4 (Pest)
It’s important to note that while these pharmacies are open outside of regular hours, they may charge a higher price for medications due to the extended service.
By familiarizing yourself with the locations and contact information of these on-duty pharmacies, you can rest assured that you’ll have access to the medicines you need, even during the night or on weekends, during your stay in Budapest.
COVID-19 Information
As of May 2023, Hungary has no restrictions in effect related to the coronavirus. No vaccination certificate or negative test result is required for entry, and mandatory mask-wearing has been abolished in most settings. However, hospitals may still require masks at their discretion.
By familiarizing yourself with the emergency care options and important phone numbers in Budapest, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable visit to the city. Remember to purchase travel insurance before your trip and keep the emergency numbers easily accessible. In case of a health question, you can call 1812 for free assistance, but always dial 112 in case of an emergency.