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Hungary eSIM in 2026: plans, local SIMs and the forint

Do you need an eSIM for Budapest? Dated plan prices from Airalo and Hungary's three networks, why Vodafone is now called One, what the ID rules say, and why you should pay in forint, not euro.

By Nomad's Travel Guides. Published .

Researched from official and operator sources and fact-checked before publishing. Prices and rules change, so each one is dated where it appears.

This post contains affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.

Staying connected in Hungary is simple, but the best option depends on where your SIM comes from. This guide compares an eSIM bought before you fly with a Hungarian prepaid SIM, explains why two networks have new names, and covers what eSIM sellers skip: Hungary uses the forint, not the euro. Every price is dated and sourced.

Planning a route? Start with our Hungary country guide and the Budapest city guide.

Do you need an eSIM in Hungary?

If your SIM is from an EU or EEA country, probably not. Hungary is in the EU, so "Roam like at home" applies: calls, texts and data cost the same as at home. The zone covers the 27 EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, and since 1 January 2026 also Ukraine and Moldova (European Commission, checked 19 October 2026). The current regulation is valid until 2032 (EUR-Lex summary).

Two catches: your operator may set a fair-use limit on roaming data, and if you mostly roam over 4 months, it may add a surcharge (European Commission). Our Bulgaria eSIM guide explains EU roaming in more detail.

If your SIM is from outside the zone (UK, US, Canada, Australia and others), plan ahead. EU rules do not cap what your home carrier charges in Budapest. The UK left "Roam like at home" with Brexit, though some UK operators kept similar benefits (European Commission). A data eSIM or a local prepaid SIM is usually the practical choice.

Networks and coverage

Hungary has three mobile networks, and two have new names:

  • Magyar Telekom (brand: Telekom).
  • Yettel, called Telenor until 1 March 2022 (Yettel), as in Bulgaria.
  • One, called Vodafone until 1 January 2025, when Vodafone Hungary Ltd. became One Hungary Ltd. (4iG).

What Airalo's labels mean. Airalo's Hungary plan lists "Vodafone" (4G), and its plan text says it "Operates on the Telenor and Vodafone networks in Hungary" (Airalo plan page, as of 19 October 2026). Both are old names: today they are One and Yettel. Shops and coverage maps use the new names.

Each network publishes an interactive coverage map: Telekom, Yettel and One. We could not extract written coverage claims from them, so we do not rank the networks. Before a day at Lake Balaton or in the Danube Bend, check that area on your network's map and download offline maps.

eSIM vs a local prepaid SIM

ID rules. The operator must check your identity before the contract starts. If you have no Hungarian ID document, the check is done on a document allowing entry to or stay in Hungary, shown in person (NMHH, in Hungarian). In practice:

  • Telekom accepts a passport, ID card or driving licence for its Travel SIM (Telekom).
  • Yettel says foreigners can buy its tourist SIM "only in person", and non-EEA citizens need a passport (Yettel).
  • One says the easiest way for a non-Hungarian to activate a pay-as-you-go SIM is to visit a One store (One).

The exception: Yettel's tourist eSIM. Yettel also sells data-only eSIM passes online, delivered as a QR code (Yettel). The page shows no ID step; we could not confirm whether one appears at checkout. They work only on 5G-capable phones, and Yettel lists the iPhone 11 series, XR, XS and SE (2nd generation) as incompatible.

Local prices as of 19 October 2026, in Hungarian forint (HUF). USD figures are our approximate conversion at the Magyar Nemzeti Bank rate that day (USD 1 = HUF 323.82).

OptionWhat you getPriceNotes
Yettel Pass S eSIMUnlimited data in Hungary, 3 daysHUF 3,000 (about USD 9.26)Online
Yettel Pass M eSIMUnlimited data in Hungary, 7 daysHUF 7,000 (about USD 21.62)Online
Yettel Pass L eSIM30 GB in Hungary and the EU, 30 daysHUF 9,000 (about USD 27.79)No top-ups
Telekom Travel SIM20 GB in Hungary and the EU, 10 daysHUF 10,000 (about USD 30.88)SIM or eSIM, store only
Telekom Travel SIM100 GB (65 GB in the EU), 30 daysHUF 15,000 (about USD 46.32)No top-ups
One Tuti prepaid + 20 GB2 GB + 100 min (30 days) plus 20 GB add-onHUF 1,500 SIM + HUF 4,990 (about USD 20.04)Includes calls; Hungarian page

Yettel's store versions of Pass S and M cost more (HUF 5,000 and 9,000), and its online page gives two different EU data amounts per plan. Prices change often.

Price per GB. Telekom's 30-day Travel SIM works out at about USD 0.46 per GB; Airalo's fixed plans below run from USD 0.78 to USD 4.00. For a week, Yettel's unlimited Pass M eSIM (about USD 21.62) costs less than Airalo's 7-day unlimited plan (USD 27.00), if your phone is compatible.

Where to buy. Budapest Airport lists a Telekom counter on the arrivals level of Terminal 2B that sells Travel SIM cards (Budapest Airport). The page gives two different opening times (24 hours, and 07:00 to 23:00), so do not count on it late at night. Yettel lists city-centre stores at Astoria, Westend and Corvin Mall (Yettel). We found no Yettel or One shop in the airport's shop list.

Airalo plans for Hungary

Airalo's Hungary eSIM is data-only and covers Hungary only. Prices below are as shown on Airalo's Hungary plans (opens Airalo in a new tab) on 19 October 2026. The page showed USD; your currency may differ.

DataValidityPrice (USD)Per GB
1 GB3 days4.004.00
3 GB3 days7.502.50
3 GB7 days8.002.67
5 GB7 days11.502.30
10 GB7 days18.001.80
5 GB15 days11.502.30
10 GB15 days18.501.85
20 GB15 days31.001.55
5 GB30 days12.002.40
10 GB30 days19.001.90
20 GB30 days32.001.60
50 GB30 days39.000.78

Airalo also lists "Unlimited" plans: 3 days USD 11.50, 5 days USD 18.50, 7 days USD 27.00, 10 days USD 34.50, 15 days USD 48.00 and 30 days USD 69.00. Speed drops to 1 Mbps after 3 GB of use per day.

What the numbers say:

  • 10 GB for 30 days costs USD 19.00, only USD 1.00 more than 10 GB for 7 days: the safer buy if your dates might change.
  • Is a regional plan cheaper? Not for Hungary alone. Airalo's Europe plan (41 countries) costs USD 28.00 for 10 GB over 15 days, so it only beats two country plans if one shared 10 GB is enough: Hungary plus Austria at 10 GB each costs USD 29.00, Hungary plus Czechia USD 33.00.
  • Hotspot: the plan details do not mention tethering. Airalo's help centre says it works "as long as it is supported by your device and the network" (Airalo Help Center, "Can I use tethering (Personal Hotspot)?").
  • Top-ups: Airalo says the eSIM is "rechargeable online with no expiry".

Setting it up

Before you fly

  1. Check that your phone supports eSIM and is not locked to your home carrier.
  2. Buy and install the eSIM at home over Wi-Fi. For Airalo's Hungary plan, validity starts when the eSIM connects to a network in Hungary, not when you install it (Airalo's Hungary plans (opens Airalo in a new tab)).
  3. Save the QR code or installation details offline in case you need to reinstall.

At Budapest Airport (Liszt Ferenc)

  1. Switch mobile data to the Hungary eSIM line.
  2. Turn on data roaming for the eSIM line. Airalo lists this as required on iOS and Android.
  3. If something does not work, use the free "bud:free wifi" network. You sign in with an email address, and it lasts 4 hours (Budapest Airport).
  4. Buying a local SIM instead? Have your passport ready.

What to turn off

  • Data roaming on your home SIM, unless you are on an EU/EEA plan that includes it.
  • Automatic data switching between lines (iPhone: "Allow Cellular Data Switching"; Android phones have similar settings). It can quietly use your home SIM.

Getting from the airport into the city is covered in our Budapest guide.

Money: forint, not euro

Hungary is in the EU but does not use the euro. Prices are in Hungarian forint (HUF, often written "Ft", as on the operator pages above). The Magyar Nemzeti Bank publishes the official rates for converting foreign currencies into forint (MNB Act, Article 22). On 19 October 2026 its rate was EUR 1 = HUF 363.13 (MNB).

Euros. If a business takes euros, it sets the exchange rate. Compare it with the MNB rate first.

"Pay in HUF or in your currency?" Card terminals and cash machines may offer to charge you in your home currency. Your Europe says the extra fees "often make this option more expensive", that the provider must show the cost as a mark-up over the European Central Bank rate, and that "you always have the right to say no and make the payment in the local currency" (Your Europe, last checked 27 January 2026). Choose HUF. Your card provider may still charge a conversion fee, even on an EU card.

Cards. We found no official data on card acceptance in Hungary, so we make no claim.

Quick answers

Can I make calls or send SMS? Not with Airalo, Telekom's Travel SIM or Yettel's Pass eSIMs, which are data-only. Use internet calling apps, or keep your home SIM for texts. One's prepaid card includes calls.

Will I keep WhatsApp? Yes. WhatsApp stays linked to your registered number, not to the line carrying your data. Keep your home SIM in for verification codes.

How do I top up? Airalo tops up in its app. Telekom's Travel SIM and Yettel's tourist eSIM cannot be topped up; you buy a new one. One's prepaid card takes add-ons in the One app or by SMS code (One).

Coming from Prague? Airalo's Czech plan does not work in Hungary; see our Czech Republic eSIM guide for that leg.

Going on to Vienna or Zagreb? Airalo's Hungary plan does not work there. Telekom's and Yettel's tourist plans include EU data, including Austria and Croatia, within their limits. See our Zagreb guide and the Zagreb to Plitvice day trip.

Sources

Checked on 19 October 2026.

City guides in this post