Political overview
Hungary is a parliamentary democratic republic. Executive power vests in the Government, which is comprised of the Prime Minister (as Head of Government) and government ministers. The National Assembly (Hungary's parliament, which is a unicameral legislative body) elects the Prime Minister by majority vote following a proposal from the President. The President appoints ministers according to the Prime Minister's recommendations. General elections for the National Assembly occur every four years to elect 199 members of parliament.
The President, which is largely a ceremonial role. is the head of state and commander-in-chief of the Hungarian Armed Forces. The President is elected by the National Assembly for a term of five years and may be re-elected once.
Hungary marks its National Day (also known as St. Stephen's Day) on 20 August to commemorate the day of the foundation of the State of Hungary.
Foreign policy
Hungary's foreign policy priorities are currently articulated annually in a speech by Prime Minister Orbán, traditionally at the Bálványos Summer Free University. The five pillars of Hungary's foreign policy are:(1) maintaining balanced international relations, (2) national defence, (3) technological independence, (4) education and talent, and (5) geopolitical non-alignment. Foreign Minister Szijjártó has described the four cornerstones of Hungary's foreign policy strategy as sovereignty, patriotism, recognition of reality and Christianity.
Hungary became a member of the United Nations in 1955, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in 1973, the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1995, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 1996 and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1999. Hungary joined the European Union in 2004, including the Schengen Area in 2007. Hungary is a member of the Visegrad Group (V4).
Bilateral relations
Australia and Hungary enjoy friendly and cooperative relations on shared interests, with strong people-to-people links.
Diplomatic ties between Hungary and Australia were established in 1972. The first Hungarian citizen was recorded to have arrived in Australia in 1833. After the Hungarian Revolution of 1848, approximately 100 former Hungarian revolutionaries came to Australia. Hungarian engineers and millers contributed to the introduction of electricity in Australian cities and industrial undertakings in the decades between 1867 and 1918. Following the 1956 Uprising against the Soviet occupation of Hungary, a number of Hungarians emigrated to Australian. Hungarian migrants have made great strides in business, politics, arts, science, culture and sport, contributing to establishing the sport of football in Australia.
The Australian Embassy in Vienna is accredited to Hungary.
Fast facts
Hungarian visitors to Australia (visitor arrivals – 2024)
5,700
Australian visitors to Hungary (resident returns – 2024)
9,460
Resident Australian population born in Hungary (2021 census)&
16,655
Australian residents of Hungarian descent (2021 census)
81,029
High level engagement
- 2023 – Then Hungarian President HE Katalin Novák visited Australia in October and November 2023.
- 2021 – Former Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley met with the Minister of the Prime Minister's Office, Gergely Gulyás, in Hungary.
- 2018 – Former Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop visited Hungary in February and former Australian Minister for Trade Steven Ciobo visited Hungary in January.
- 2017 – Former Governor-General Sir Peter John Cosgrove, AK, CVO, MC visited Hungary.
Agreements and arrangements with Hungary
- Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters and Extradition (1997)
- Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy and the Transfer of Nuclear Material (2002)
- Social Security (2011)
- Air Services (2016)
- Work and Holiday Visa (2016)
- Oil Stock Contracts (2018).
A comprehensive list of bilateral agreements and texts is available at the Australian Treaties Database.
Public diplomacy
The Australian Embassy in Vienna hosts events in Hungary to promote Australian culture, foster trade and investment, and emphasise Australia’s work to uphold internationally agreed rules and norms that underpin our prosperity. The Embassy regularly engages with senior government representatives, businesses, universities, and the alumni community.
Most recently the Australian Embassy held a trade and investment event with Hungarian business in April 2025.
The Association of Australian and Békés Citizens (an Australian-Hungarian friendship group) hosts an annual charity ball in Southern Hungary.
Economic diplomacy
Total two-way goods and services trade in 2024 was valued at $1.16 billion, with imports from Hungary totalling $1.06 billion. In 2024, Australia's goods imports from Hungary were predominantly passenger motor vehicles, computers, recreational travel and trailers, semi-trailers and containers. Australia's major goods exports to Hungary were medicaments (incl veterinary), recreational travel and telecom equipment and parts.
Australian total investment in Hungary in 2024 was $524 million compared to Hungarian investment in Australia of $41 million.
More economic and trade information can be found in the Hungary economy fact sheet [PDF].
Business
Australian businesses active in Hungary include Luminance Labs and GeoWAN (IT), TFE Hotels and Resmed (medical devices). Australian companie s also produce equipment for military vehicles of the Hungarian Armed Forces. Hungarian companies with business interests in Australia include Digital Thinkers (IT) and Mediso (medical imaging systems).
Australian Embassy
The Australian Embassy in Vienna is accredited to Hungary.
Australia also has an Honorary Consul based in Budapest.
Ms Cecilia Gall
Honorary Consul
Eötvös Loránd University
Múzeum Körút 4/a
1088 Budapest, Hungary
General consular enquiries: consular.vienna@dfat.gov.au
To arrange passport appointments or other matters: auconsulate.budapest@gmail.com
Travel
See Smartraveller for information on travelling to Hungary.