For many years, one question kept coming up among visitors: why does Hungary still use the Forint while several neighboring countries have switched to the Euro?
In the past, the Hungarian government did not make Euro adoption a priority. More recently, however, the discussion has changed. In June 2026, Prime Minister Péter Magyar said the government aims to meet the conditions for joining the Euro by around 2030. That does not mean the change is guaranteed, but it is a more concrete target than Hungary has had for many years.
If you are planning a trip to Budapest, you do not need to prepare for immediate changes. The Hungarian Forint remains the country’s official currency, and visitors should continue to expect to pay in Forints for the foreseeable future.
Is Hungary really planning to adopt the Euro?
Yes, but the key word is planning. According to Reuters’ report on the government’s announcement, Hungary wants to meet the conditions for Euro adoption by around 2030. Similar statements have also been reported by Hungary Today.
This is a significant change compared with previous years, when Euro adoption was often delayed indefinitely. However, setting a target is only the beginning. Hungary must first satisfy a number of economic and legal requirements before it can join the Eurozone.
What has to happen before Hungary can use the Euro?
Joining the Euro is not simply a political decision. Every country must meet the so-called convergence criteria agreed by the European Union.
- Inflation must remain close to the levels of the best-performing EU countries.
- Government budget deficits must stay within EU limits.
- Public debt should remain at sustainable levels.
- Long-term interest rates must meet the required benchmarks.
- The national currency must remain stable within the Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM II) before adoption.
Hungary also needs to make sure its national legislation is fully compatible with the European Central Bank system. These are standard requirements for every country joining the Eurozone. You can find a broader background in the overview of Hungary and the Euro.
How quickly could this happen?
Visitors should not expect the Euro to appear in Hungary within the next year or two.
The government’s current goal is to meet the entry conditions by around 2030. Even if that timetable is achieved, there would still be practical preparations before Euro banknotes and coins replace the Forint. Introducing a new currency affects banks, businesses, cash registers, ATMs, accounting systems, and millions of everyday transactions.
In other words, this would be a gradual process rather than an overnight change.
What does this mean if you are visiting Budapest soon?
Very little will change in the near future. You should continue planning your trip exactly as you would today.
The official currency remains the Hungarian Forint. Most restaurants, supermarkets, museums, public transport ticket machines, and attractions charge in Forints, although many places accept international bank cards.
If you are preparing for your visit, our guide to currency in Hungary explains how payments work, where to exchange money, and what to expect when using cash or cards.
Would the Euro make things easier for tourists?
For many visitors, yes.
If you already use the Euro at home, you would no longer need to exchange money before arriving in Hungary. Prices would also become easier to compare with those in other Eurozone countries.
Travelers coming from countries outside Europe would probably notice less difference. They would still exchange their home currency, but into Euros instead of Forints.
Card payments are already widely accepted in Budapest, so many visitors rarely handle large amounts of cash. Because of that, the practical impact would be smaller today than it would have been twenty years ago.
Could prices go up after switching to the Euro?
This is a common concern whenever a country changes currency.
Some people worry that businesses might round prices upward during the transition. Similar debates took place in several countries that adopted the Euro in previous years.
At the same time, the actual effect depends on government measures, competition between businesses, and consumer protection. It is too early to predict exactly what would happen in Hungary, especially since no official changeover date has been announced.
Should visitors wait for the Euro before coming to Hungary?
No. There is no practical reason to delay a trip.
Budapest already works well for international visitors. Card payments are common, ATMs are easy to find, and exchanging money is straightforward if you need cash.
If Hungary eventually joins the Eurozone, paying for hotels, meals, museums, and public transport will probably become a little simpler for many European visitors. Until then, you should simply plan to use the Hungarian Forint, as every visitor does today.
For now, the biggest takeaway is that Hungary’s approach to the Euro appears to be changing. Whether the country reaches its stated goal around 2030 will depend on meeting the required economic conditions, not just on political intentions.
