Do Hungarians need a visa for Japan?
No. Hungarians do not need a visa for a short stay in Japan of up to 90 days.
Hungary is on the Japanese foreign ministry's list of 74 visa-exempt countries and regions, revised 1 September 2025. The stay cannot include paid work.
The rule for Hungarian passports
What the Japanese foreign ministry lists for Hungary.
- Short-stay visa
- Not needed
- Visa-free stay
- 90 days
- Working holiday
- Since 2017
- Japanese missions
- 1
- Visa for a short stay
- Not required
- Longest stay granted
- 90 days
- Passport
- Valid ordinary passport
- What a short stay covers
- Tourism, business, visiting friends or relatives. No paid work.
- Group on the ministry's list
- Europe
- List last revised
- 1 September 2025
The official wording
MOFA: visa exemption listThe period of stay granted upon landing permission will be "15 days" for Indonesia and Thailand, “30 days” for Brunei and Qatar, and "90 days" for other countries and regions.
Exemption of Visa (Short-Term Stay)
MOFA(A stay of up to 90 days for tourism, business, visiting friends or relatives, etc. that does not include remunerative activities)
VISA
Embassy of Japan in HungaryCitizens of those countries and regions with visa exemption (see the link above) – including Hungarian Citizens – are not required to obtain a visa to enter Japan for up to 90 days … in case they possess a valid passport of their country and the purpose of visit is tourism, visiting friends/relatives, short-term business affairs, attending an academic conference/seminar and/or other unpaid activities
Temporary Visitor's Visa
Other passports from Europe
| Passport | Short-stay visa | Visa-free stay |
|---|---|---|
| France | Not needed | 90 days |
| Germany | Not needed | 90 days |
| Hungary | Not needed | 90 days |
| Italy | Not needed | 90 days |
| Spain | Not needed | 90 days |
| United Kingdom | Not needed | 90 days |
Passport conditions
A valid passport is the starting point for every traveller.
You must hold a valid passport to enter Japan (Immigration Control Act, Article 3).
The foreign ministry's list attaches no extra passport condition to Hungary.
What the Embassy of Japan in Hungary says
Embassy of Japan in HungaryJapan does not have any regulations relating to passport validity, as long as your passport is valid until the time you leave Japan （especially in case of short-term stay）.
Visa to Enter Japan (English Version)
Working, studying or staying longer
Visa-free entry covers short stays only.
Paid work is outside a short stay. To work for pay, or to stay more than 90 days, you need a visa. The foreign ministry says to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the Immigration Services Agency first, in principle.
Working holiday visa
Japan has run a working holiday programme with Hungary since 2017. Visas issued per year: 200. It is for young people whose main purpose is a holiday, with work allowed to top up travel funds.
- Programme since
- 2017
- Visas per year
- 200
- Age
- 18 to 30 when you apply
- Second participation
- Once in a lifetime
Apply at the Japanese embassy or consulate in Hungary.
Digital nomad status
Hungary is on the Immigration Services Agency's list for Japan's digital nomad status: remote work from Japan for up to 6 months, with no extension.
At the airport in Japan
The same steps apply to every foreign visitor.
On arrival you complete the Disembarkation Card for Foreigner (online through Visit Japan Web, or on paper), give your fingerprints and a facial photograph, and an immigration officer decides whether you can land.
JESTA, Japan's travel authorisation
Not yet. JESTA is the electronic travel authorisation Japan is creating for visa-exempt visitors. The Immigration Services Agency gives its start only as a date set by Cabinet Order, no later than 31 March 2029.
Living in Hungary with another passport
Visa applications go by where you live, not only by nationality.
You can apply at the Japanese embassy or consulate in your own country or in the country where you live. You cannot apply while travelling in a third country.
The foreign ministry's eVISA list does not include residents of Hungary, so applications go to the embassy or consulate, or to the channel it names.
What the Embassy of Japan in Hungary says
Embassy of Japan in HungaryPlease bring your application documents to our office during our opening hours (see below). It is necessary to make an appointment in advance. … Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 12:30, from 13:30 to 16:00 … 1125 Budapest, Zalai út 7.
Visa to Enter Japan (English Version)
Embassy of Japan in HungaryThere is no express visa service. Generally, it takes a minimum of 5 working days to process visa applications, even if the documentation is sufficient. … In certain cases, applications may need to be referred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Japan, in which cases the process may take longer (about three weeks or more)
Visa to Enter Japan (English Version)
Embassy of Japan in HungaryThe visa sticker itself is valid for three months from the date of issue, therefore applications are accepted three months prior to the intended date of arrival.
Visa to Enter Japan (English Version)
Visa fees at the Embassy of Japan in Hungary
Japanese embassy for Hungary
The missions the foreign ministry lists for Hungary. The rules on this page can change, so confirm with the mission before you book.
This page is compiled from the official pages below and was last checked on 5 October 2026. It is not legal advice. The embassy or consulate has the final word on your case.
Frequently asked questions
Do Hungarians need a visa for Japan?
No. Hungarians do not need a visa for a short stay in Japan of up to 90 days. Hungary is on the Japanese foreign ministry's list of 74 visa-exempt countries and regions, revised 1 September 2025. The stay cannot include paid work.
How long can Hungarians stay in Japan without a visa?
Up to 90 days. That is the period of stay the foreign ministry lists for Hungary on its visa exemption list, revised 1 September 2025.
Can Hungarians work in Japan on a visa-free stay?
No. A short stay does not include paid work. The Immigration Services Agency says Temporary Visitors cannot work in Japan in principle, apart from short business trips. A working holiday visa is the route for young Hungarian nationals who want to work while travelling.
Do Hungarians need JESTA to enter Japan?
Not yet. The law creating JESTA passed on 29 May 2026. It starts on a date to be set by Cabinet Order, no later than 31 March 2029.
How long must a Hungarian passport be valid for Japan?
The Embassy of Japan in Hungary states: “Japan does not have any regulations relating to passport validity, as long as your passport is valid until the time you leave Japan （especially in case of short-term stay）.”
Read more
Sources for this page
Show all 17
- Exemption of Visa (Short-Term Stay)Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
- VISAMinistry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
- Temporary Visitor's VisaEmbassy of Japan in Hungary
- 外国人の入国の要件 (Japanese)Immigration Services Agency of Japan
- Visa to Enter Japan (English Version)Embassy of Japan in Hungary
- The Working Holiday Programmes in JapanMinistry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
- Digital Nomad: eligible countries and regions (PDF)Immigration Services Agency of Japan
- Specified visa: Designated activities (Digital Nomad, Spouse or Child of Digital Nomad)Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
- 入国審査時には「外国人入国記録」をご提出ください (Japanese)Immigration Services Agency of Japan
- 外国人の上陸手続 (Japanese)Immigration Services Agency of Japan
- 令和8年入管法等改正法について (Japanese)Immigration Services Agency of Japan
- 改正法の概要：JESTA（電子渡航認証制度）の創設 (Japanese, PDF)Immigration Services Agency of Japan
- Frequently Asked QuestionsMinistry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
- The JAPAN eVISA system (electronic visa)Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
- Vízumdíjak・Visa FeesEmbassy of Japan in Hungary
- Websites of Japanese Embassies, Consulates and Permanent MissionsMinistry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
- 出入国審査・在留審査Q&A (Japanese)Immigration Services Agency of Japan