Inoculation regulations can change at short notice. Please take medical advice in the case of doubt.

Food & drink
Mains water is normally chlorinated, and whilst relatively safe may cause mild abdominal upsets. Bottled water is available and is advised for the first few weeks of the stay. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat.

Other risks

Hepatitis A occurs. Tick-borne encephalitis occurs in forested areas. Vaccination is advisable.
Rabies, although on the decrease, is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.

European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland:
If you or any of your dependants are suddenly taken ill or have an accident during a visit to an EEA country or Switzerland, free or reduced-cost necessary treatment is available – in most cases on production of a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Each country has different rules about state medical provision. In some, treatment is free. In many countries you will have to pay part or all of the cost, and then claim a full or partial refund. The EHIC gives access to state-provided medical treatment only and the scheme gives no entitlement to medical repatriation costs, nor does it cover ongoing illnesses of a non-urgent nature, so comprehensive travel insurance is advised. Note that the EHIC replaces the Form E111, which is no longer valid. Some restrictions apply, depending on your nationality.
For emergencies, call 104. Chemists are generally open from 0800-1800. There are chemists with a 24-hour emergency service open in every district. You can get treatment only from surgeries that have a sign saying they are contracted with the National Health Insurance Fund (Országos Egészségbiztosítasi Pénztár or OEP). Doctors' consultations are free, and emergency dental treatment is generally free. Any charges you pay are not refundable. Some prescription drugs are free; for others you pay all or some of the cost. These charges are not refundable. In-patient and out-patient hospital treatment is normally provided through a referral from a GP. Treatment is free of charge, although you will be charged for any extra services you request, for example, obtaining prescription treatment without a referral from a primary healthcare provider; using a healthcare provider other than the one specified by the prescribing doctor; unnecessarily changing the contents of prescription treatment, causing extra costs; or a better room, meals or conditions. Charges for extra services are not refundable. Ambulance travel is free of charge. More information can be obtained from Országos Egészségbiztosítasi Pénztár (National Health Insurance Fund), Department of International Relations and EU Integration, Vaci Street 73/a, 1139 Budapest (tel: (1) 350 1618; website: www.dh.gov.uk).