Half of Hungarians travel abroad every two years – many still without insurance

The comprehensive survey conducted in May 2025 by Europ Assistance examined the travel habits, insurance preferences, and attitudes of Hungarians aged 18–69, including their views on vehicle and home assistance services.

One-third of Hungarians travel abroad annually, but few go beyond Europe

According to the research, 27% of the population travels within Europe once a year, while only 9% travel beyond the continent annually. In total, 44% of Hungarians aged 18–69 travel abroad at least every two years, and 34% of this group has already experienced a situation where they would have needed travel insurance. Among those who travel biennially, four out of ten always purchase insurance, while one in three only does so in specific cases such as skiing or visiting unfamiliar countries. Most customers now buy their policies online.

Travelers expressed notable fears: half of respondents (50%) are worried about the difficulties of repatriation in case of health issues, and 47% believe it would be hard to arrange legal assistance in Hungarian or secure compensation if they caused damage abroad.

“Our research highlights that Hungarians recognize the value of assistance services, yet many still embark on international holidays without proper protection, which is a significant risk. With vacation season approaching, it’s important to prepare for unexpected events to ensure stress-free travel.”

– emphasized Andrea Éva Elek, Managing Director of Europ Assistance Hungary Ltd.

This summer, one-third of drivers plan to travel abroad by car

Many vacationers are hitting the road this summer. Nearly three-quarters of households own a car, and every fifth household owns more than one. One-third of car owners plan to travel abroad this summer by car, but more than half (53%) do not currently have any vehicle assistance service — meaning they would be on their own in case of an accident or breakdown. Still, 91% consider such services useful. The most attractive features are 24/7 availability, vehicle towing, and on-site repairs — with at least 40% of drivers heading abroad finding these highly appealing.

The average age of vehicles in Hungary is 14 years, and nearly half are at least 16 years old. For at least two-thirds of drivers who find the service valuable, it is important that assistance be available regardless of vehicle age or mileage.

The survey also examined the financial impact of travel-related breakdowns and the fears of drivers. For 39% of affected motorists, repair costs abroad ranged from HUF 250,000 to 500,000. Their top concerns are finding reliable service providers, high repair costs, and slow servicing times. These worries are especially common among drivers who travel abroad at least once every two years.

“Our findings show that travelers often face accidents, illnesses, or loss and damage to luggage or valuables. Assistance services linked to travel provide a sense of security — from accessing doctors or mechanics to locating repair shops quickly. A major benefit for drivers is that our company offers insurance for vehicles of any age or mileage, even those over 15 years old, which are very common in Hungary. Beyond price and coverage, quick contract processes are also important to customers, so we offer online policy purchase and claims submission.”

– said Szabolcs Gábor Timár, Chief Operating Officer of Europ Assistance.