https://britishexpats.com/forum/ en Fri, 05 Jun 2026 05:01:28 GMT vBulletin 1 https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/misc/rss.jpg https://britishexpats.com/forum/ https://britishexpats.com/forum/hungary-140/bureaucratic-chasm-957836/ Thu, 14 May 2026 14:21:31 GMT A month ago I renewed my Hungarian I.D. Whilst not particularly difficult it was labour intensive, photo copying various documents and uploading all of them, filling out the application form on line. wait two weeks for an appointment, drive 200kms round trip to visit Budapest office with all the same paperwork, wait 3 weeks for new ID Card. Cost 20,000 fts (and a fairly mature tree for all the paper) This morning I completed my UK Passport renewal. 10 minutes ticking Yes/No boxes online, upload a photo from my phone, walk 3kms (round trip) to post the old Passport. Cost £145 (Approx 60,000 fts) May be 3 times the cost but infinitely quicker and easier, and no fuel cost. Both valid for 10 years. I know which system gets my vote. A month ago I renewed my Hungarian I.D.
Whilst not particularly difficult it was labour intensive, photo copying various documents and uploading all of them, filling out the application form on line.
wait two weeks for an appointment, drive 200kms round trip to visit Budapest office with all the same paperwork, wait 3 weeks for new ID Card.
Cost 20,000 fts (and a fairly mature tree for all the paper)

This morning I completed my UK Passport renewal.
10 minutes ticking Yes/No boxes online, upload a photo from my phone, walk 3kms (round trip) to post the old Passport.
Cost £145 (Approx 60,000 fts)

May be 3 times the cost but infinitely quicker and easier, and no fuel cost.
Both valid for 10 years.
I know which system gets my vote.
]]> Hungary duztee https://britishexpats.com/forum/hungary-140/bureaucratic-chasm-957836/ https://britishexpats.com/forum/hungary-140/exchange-rate-using-otp-atms-957760/ Fri, 08 May 2026 08:15:24 GMT Hello all, I'm hoping someone may be able to give some insight into what the ATM's operated by OTP use as the exchange rate when withdrawing cash using a UK debit card.
Previously, as like all ATM's, there was a screen that allowed the choice between withdrawing in Sterling or Forints which was then debited to the UK bank accordingly ... with the Forint selection being at a better exchange rate than choosing the Sterling option which gave a lower exchange rate. After OTP introduced the withdrawal charge for using a non Hungarian card at the start of the year, they also changed the ATM screen layout and it no longer gives the option of choosing between Sterling or Forints which, from what I can gather, they are obliged to do under EU law. Obviously they are compliant if they are now using the international exchange rate but, having taken a Hungarian friend into my local OTP branch yesterday as nobody in the branch speaks English, I am no further forward in finding out what exchange rate is now actually used ! Even after they called head office, they are adamant that it is my UK bank that sets the exchange rate, not them ... which begs the question that if that is the case, why was the withdrawal option between Sterling and Forints ever offered in the first place ! If I was to transfer money from my UK bank to my OTP account then naturally my UK bank would be the ones who decided on the exchange rate used but for withdrawing cash in Hungary using my UK debit card, surely OTP set the rate as it is their ATM being used to dispense the Forints ! Any insight here would be appreciated ... ]]> Hungary hobgoblins https://britishexpats.com/forum/hungary-140/exchange-rate-using-otp-atms-957760/