Hey there, I was having trouble finding information on weapon laws in Budapest. I know that private citizens aren't really allowed to carry guns, I'm not asking about that. What I can't figure out is the laws regarding knives or similar melee weapons.
Am I allowed to carry a concealed knife? Any restrictions? What are the penalties (if any) for a tourist carrying an illegal knife?
Posted Feb 27, 2020, 11:37 PM UTC
Here's the law (in Hungarian): https://net.jogtar.hu/jogszabaly?docid=a0300175.kor
§3 lists the rule and the appendix at the bottom lists the prohibited items. For knives, anything above a 8cm blade length, and assisted/auto knives of any length.
So, bring something that falls into the allowed categories.
If you break this law and you have no priors then it is a misdemeanor. The knife will be confiscated, and possible penalties a fine, community service or detention, in this order of probability.
The fine can be anything between 5k and 150k (in some cases 300k). community service can be anything between 6 and 180 hours. Detention is 1-60 days and you'd probably only get this if you didn't pay the fine and didn't do the community service either. You can also be detained for a short time if they take you in to the precinct because you don't have identification or resist the police.
You can also get away with just a warning, at least the rules allow it, it is up to the discretion of the police.
There isn't a law explicitly about this, but knives exceeding 8cms in blade length are considered 'particularly dangerous to the public order' and are banned from being carried in public areas. Spring and butterfly knives are banned for all lengths.
Thanks, so if I understand correctly, a fixed blade knife <4cm is legal to carry concealed
Concealed isn't really part of the legislation, but basically yeah.
Yes that something I remember too, it should be less than 8cm of blade length for sure, but the penalties, no idea.