Hungary to join EU's "free travel" zone on January 1, 2008

Hungary will likely join the EU's "Schengen" area on January 1, 2008, while related changes will be introduced in air travel at the start of the summer schedule, Foreign Ministry State Secretary Márta Fekszi Horváthné said at a Tuesday meeting of the Parliamentary committees of foreign affairs and Hungarians living outside of the country's borders.

The 1985 Schengen Agreement allows for passport-free travel between participating countries. Currently 15 countries - including non-EU members Iceland, Norway and Switzerland - have implemented the agreement, and a further 15 are signatories. The agreement also provides for a common visa to countries in the zone.

While the entrance of Hungary to the Schengen zone will mean faster travel times in and out of the country by land, Horváthné said some checks will remain.

After January 1, persons wishing to travel from Serbia or the Ukraine to Hungary will still need visas, which will cost €35 in addition to an obligatory insurance costing €1 to €2 per day. Travelers from Croatia will be able to enter Hungary without a visa, as they can currently.

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