Thailand Tightens Entry Rules: What Hungarian Travelers Need to Know Now About the Phase-out of 60-Day Visa Exemption

On May 19, 2026, Thailand approved a significant overhaul of its entry rules: according to the cabinet's decision, the 60-day visa-exempt entry system, which previously applied to citizens of 93 countries and territories, will be abolished. This group, according to previous rules, included those traveling with a Hungarian passport, making the change directly important for Hungarian tourists, those considering longer winter stays, digital nomads, and those planning vacations with multiple Southeast Asian stops. The most important thing to know now is that the decision has been made, but the new detailed rules will only become final after the official announcement, and the amendment may enter into force on the 15th day following the announcement.

In other words, as of May 22, 2026, it is not yet the case that every Hungarian traveler must immediately apply for a new visa for Thailand. However, it is already certain that summer or autumn bookings should not be based on the previous 60-day automatic stay period. Those planning a longer trip will now find it particularly important to follow official Thai information, check the route and flight ticket conditions, and ensure that their accommodation and onward travel plans are in line with the new entry rules.

What Exactly Changed on May 19, 2026?

According to official Thai government communication, the cabinet approved the review of the visa exemption and visa on arrival system on May 19, 2026. As part of this, the 60-day visa-exempt entry will be withdrawn for all 93 previously privileged countries and territories. Additionally, the list of countries eligible for 30-day visa exemption for tourism purposes will be reduced from 57 to 54, a new 15-day visa-exempt category will be introduced for three countries or territories, and the number of countries eligible for visa on arrival will be significantly cut back.

According to the official Thai justification, the decision is driven by security concerns, tourism and economic interests, the principle of reciprocity, and the effort to make various entry categories simpler and more transparent. Authorities emphasize that too many overlapping benefits can cause misunderstandings among travelers, while the digital visa system and electronic administration now offer more alternatives for longer stays.

Why Is This Important for Hungarian Travelers?

Thailand remains one of the most popular Asian destinations for Hungarian leisure travelers. Bangkok is one of the region's most important entry points, and for beach vacations, Phuket and surrounding resort areas remain prime destinations. For Hungarian travelers, one of the great advantages of the previous system was that longer trips, lasting several weeks or nearly two months, could be organized without separate visa processing. This was particularly attractive to those planning a break longer than the classic 7-10 day vacation, a workation, or a Southeast Asian tour connecting multiple countries.

Now, however, the greatest uncertainty lies in the key question for planning such trips: how long will one be able to remain in the country without a visa with a Hungarian passport, and what certifications may the airline request before departure. According to official Thai information, final details will emerge from Ministry of Interior announcements and the announcement in the Royal Gazette. This means that at this moment, it would not be a responsible statement to claim that every Hungarian traveler will fall into the same new category. However, it is already clear that the previous 60-day limit will cease to exist, so longer stays may require separate planning.

When Will the New System Take Effect?

This is one of the most important practical questions. Based on official Thai communication, the new rules do not take effect immediately, but 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette. This detail is crucial for those who have already purchased flight tickets, are planning an early summer departure, or are planning a route where the length of stay abroad approximates the previous 60-day threshold.

Hungarian travelers should therefore pay attention not only to what was said during the cabinet decision, but also to when the official announcement required for implementation is published. Until this happens, old and new interpretations may appear in the market simultaneously: some booking sites, forums, or social media posts may speak of the change as if it were completely finalized, while in practice, the date of entry into force determines which rule applies to a given departure and entry date.

What Does This Mean for Those Who Have Already Booked?

Those who already have flight tickets and accommodation do not need to panic, but rather a checklist. First, it is worth checking if the total length of the Thai stay exceeds 30 days, because most risks appear in this range. Then, it is advisable to check what entry documents the airline may request at boarding, especially if the passenger plans a one-way ticket or later onward travel.

It is also worth noting that Thailand has already switched to digital arrival administration, so entry is not just about whether a visa is required or not. The traveler must account for providing online entry data, the accuracy of accommodation information, and, if applicable, proof of onward travel. If someone planned a flexible open-ended trip, it may now be wiser to choose a ticket that is modifiable, or at least contains conditions that avoid expensive rescheduling.

What Could Be Behind the Thai Decision?

Based on the Thai government's message, this is not about Thailand closing itself off to tourists. Rather, it appears to be a correction where authorities want to separate classic short-term vacationers from those staying longer, arriving for other purposes, or flexibly utilizing the system. Security, reducing abuses, and simplifying various visa categories were highlighted in the official justification.

This approach is not unique in the region: several Asian countries are trying to find a balance between stimulating tourism and the controllability of the entry system. From the perspective of a Hungarian traveler, this is important because the previous, extremely favorable and simple access may be replaced by a more nuanced system where the length, purpose of and proof of the stay's framework are more significant.

What Should Be Done Now Before Booking?

In the coming weeks, cautious planning will be the best strategy. If someone is organizing a trip with entry via Bangkok, it may be useful to follow related information on our Bangkok airport page, while those planning a beach vacation can find practical organization help from Phuket flights and airport information. While these do not replace official visa information, they provide a good starting point for route planning.

Before booking, it is particularly worth considering the following:

• how many days will we actually spend in Thailand from entry to exit;
• whether an extension or a separate tourist visa may be needed later;
• whether we already have a confirmed onward travel ticket;
• whether the flight ticket is modifiable if the final rules are stricter than expected;
• whether we checked official Thai announcements and airline document requirements directly before departure.

What Is the Most Important Lesson Now?

As of May 22, 2026, the most accurate summary is that Thailand has already decided to phase out the 60-day visa exemption, but for Hungarian travelers, the final practical consequences will only be completely clear after the official announcement and the publication of the country lists. For short trips, there will likely be fewer direct disruptions, but for longer stays, significant redesigning may be necessary.

From the Hungarian market's perspective, this is a significant matter because Thailand is not a marginal exotic destination, but a destination that many choose for winter breaks, honeymoons, multi-week vacations, or as part of a Southeast Asian tour. Therefore, the current decision is not merely administrative news, but a change that can directly influence booking decisions, costs, and travel flexibility.

Azok járnak most a legjobban, akik nem automatikusan a régi szabályokkal számolnak, hanem néhány héttel indulás előtt még egyszer ellenőrzik a hivatalos thai tájékoztatást. Thaiföld továbbra is erős és vonzó úti cél marad a magyar turistáknak, de a 2026-os szezonban már sokkal inkább a részleteken múlik, mennyire zökkenőmentes lesz az érkezés.