Procedures regarding the rules of entering Hungary and special medical examination for non-Hungarian students and higher education staff
I. General provisions
Based on the current level of infection in other countries the National Chief Medical Officer published a decision listing the countries and their administrative regions categorized as „yellow” and „red”, which can be found here: https://www.nnk.gov.hu/index.php/nnkkozlemenyek The higher education institution shall issue a certificate in accordance with Annex 1 to a non- Hungarian student (hereinafter: student) for entry to Hungary. The identification of the student on the basis of their non-personal data (passport number and nationality) will be recorded in a central unified electronic interface set up for inspection by the National Police Headquarters.
The student must contact the higher education institution of which they are a student, and must arrive at the accommodation specified in the certificate within 24 hours after entering Hungary.
II. Rules pertaining to the entry and medical examination of foreign students equated to Hungarian citizens
According to the government regulation 341/2020. (VII. 12.) on travel restrictions during the epidemiological preparedness period, those who hold and present at entry a valid residence permit to stay in Hungary for a period exceeding 90 days issued on any legal grounds by the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing or a residence permit (type D visa) is subject to the same assessment as a Hungarian citizen.
1. From the territory of a „green” country or administrative region, the student can enter Hungary without any restrictions. The higher education institution may establish different, stricter rules regarding the student's entry into the higher education institution.
2. Upon entering from a „yellow” or „red” country or administrative region, the student must undergo a medical examination, which they must tolerate.
3. If arriving from a „yellow” or „red” country, and in case no infection is suspected based on the medical examination, the student will be placed in a quarantine or official house quarantine designated by the epidemiological authority for 14 days, which may be replaced by a dormitory if it complies with the rules of official house quarantine, ie. complete quarantine (using separate sanitary, laundry and cooking facilities in the room). The epidemiological authority shall register the person placed in the official home quarantine.
4. Epidemiological monitoring is not required if the student can present the results of a molecular biological test (SARS-CoV-2 test) at entry – performed twice in accordance with professional healthcare rules, at least 48 hours apart, and within 5 days prior to entering Hungary – in the form of a medical examination certificate in either Hungarian or English that certifies that SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus was not detectable in his body at the time of the examination, or if he can credibly prove that he had
already been infected during the six months prior to entry.
5. If entry to Hungary takes place at least 14 days before the day of enrollment, a 14-day official home quarantine must be completed, or – as per the approved request of the student – a molecular biological test (SARS-CoV-2 test) can be carried out, performed twice at least 48 hours apart, in accordance with professional healthcare rules. The student's higher education institution participates in the organization of the molecular biology test and it is carried out by the regionally designated medical higher education institution. Using public transport is not permitted for the student to visit the sampling facility; they must arrive at a pre-arranged time wearing a mask.
6. Students coming from a “yellow” country may leave official home quarantine with the permission of the epidemiological authority responsible for issuing the official home quarantine decision, if the result of the first molecular biological test confirms that SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus was not detectable in the student’s body at the time of the examination.
7. Students coming from a “red” country may leave official home quarantine with the permission of the epidemiological authority responsible for issuing the official home quarantine decision, if the results of both the first and second molecular biological tests confirm that SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus was not detectable in the student’s body at the time of the examinations.
8. If either of the tests shows the presence of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in the student's body, the current procedure of the National Public Health Center must be followed.
III. Rules pertaining to the entry and medical examination of foreign students without a Hungarian citizenship not equated to Hungarian citizens
1. From the territory of a „green” country or administrative region, the student can enter Hungary without any restrictions. The higher education institution may establish different, stricter rules regarding the student's entry into the higher education institution.
2. Upon entering from a „yellow” country or administrative region, the student must undergo a medical examination, which they must tolerate.
2.1 If arriving from a „yellow” country, and in case no infection is suspected based on the medical examination, the student will be placed in a quarantine or official house quarantine designated by the epidemiological authority for 14 days, which may be replaced by a dormitory if it complies with the rules of official house quarantine, ie. complete quarantine (using separate sanitary, laundry and cooking facilities in the room). The epidemiological authority shall register the person placed in the official home quarantine.
2.2 Epidemiological monitoring is not required if the student can present the results of a molecular biological test (SARS-CoV-2 test) at entry – performed twice in accordance with professional healthcare rules, at least 48 hours apart, and within 5 days prior to entering Hungary – in the form of a medical examination certificate in either Hungarian or English that certifies that SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus was not detectable in his body at the time of the examination, or if he can credibly prove that he had already been infected during the six months prior to entry.
2.3 If entry to Hungary takes place at least 14 days before the day of enrollment, a 14- day official home quarantine must be completed, or – as per the approved request of the student – a molecular biological test (SARS-CoV-2 test) can be carried out, performed twice at least 48 hours apart, in accordance with professional healthcare rules. The student's higher education institution participates in the organization of the molecular biology test and it is carried out by the regionally designated medical higher education institution. Using public transport is not permitted for the student to visit the sampling facility; they must arrive at a pre-arranged time wearing a mask.
2.4 Students coming from a “yellow” country may leave official home quarantine with the permission of the epidemiological authority responsible for issuing the official home quarantine decision, if the result of the first molecular biological test confirms that SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus was not detectable in the student’s body at the time of the examination.
3. A student arriving from a “red” country or administrative region of a country may be granted an exemption at the request of the competent local police authority according to the place of intended entry, thus entering the territory of Hungary may be permitted.
3.1 The police authority will allow entry if the applicant proves that the purpose of entry is to fulfill an obligation to study or to take an exam on the basis of their student status, if this is evidenced by a certificate issued by the educational institution.
3.2 Upon entry, the student holding a permit must undergo a medical examination, which they must tolerate.
3.3 If no infection is suspected based on the medical examination, the student will be placed in a quarantine or official house quarantine designated by the epidemiological authority for 14 days, which may be replaced by a dormitory if it complies with the rules of official house quarantine, ie. complete quarantine (using separate sanitary, laundry and cooking facilities in the room). The epidemiological authority shall register the person placed in the official home quarantine.
3.4 If entry to Hungary takes place at least 14 days before the day of enrollment, a 14-day official home quarantine must be completed, or – as per the approved request of the student – a molecular biological test (SARS-CoV-2 test) can be carried out, performed twice at least 48 hours apart, in accordance with professional healthcare rules. The student's higher education institution participates in the organization of the molecular biology test and it is carried out by the regionally designated medical higher education institution. Using public transport is not permitted for the student to visit the sampling facility; they must arrive at a pre-arranged time wearing a mask.
3.5 Students coming from a “red” country may leave official home quarantine with the permission of the epidemiological authority responsible for issuing the official home quarantine decision, if the results of both the first and second molecular biological tests confirm that SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus was not detectable in the student’s body at the time of the examinations.
3.6 If either of the tests shows the presence of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in the student's body, the current procedure of the National Public Health Center must be followed.
