Please Note:

Your Hungary SIM Card (Praktikum) will require a SIM-unlocked GSM 900 compatible international cell phone. If you do not have your own international cell phone, we have several models available for rental or purchase.

Your Hungary SIM card will provide you with a Hungary cellular phone number, which can be found printed under the bar code on the back of your SIM card. The number begins with 06.

Customer service for your Hungary prepaid SIM card is available 24 hours a day by dialing 173 at any time from your Hungary cellular phone.

For your reference, the emergency numbers while in Hungary are: 107 for Police, 104 for Ambulance, 105 for Fire

*You will need to snap out the thumbnail sized Hungary SIM card along the perforated edge of its holder and then insert the Hungary SIM card into your international cell phone with the gold contacts of the SIM card facing the metal contacts of your international cellular phone.

^The PUK is only required to unblock your phone if you enter a PIN code incorrectly 3 times. Your phone may or may not prompt you for a PIN code. Follow your cell phone manual instructions to correctly use the PUK to unblock your phone along with PIN2.

**When calling overseas from the United States to your Hungary cell phone, callers will need to dial 011 followed by the country code 36 and then your Hungary cell phone number, omitting the first 0 (zero). To call abroad from your Hungary cell phone simply dial 00 (or the + key) followed by the country code and phone number.

Domestic rates are per minute for outgoing calls from your Hungary SIM card while you are in Hungary. All incoming calls, regardless of where they originate, are free with your Hungary SIM card. Per minute airtime rates will vary depending on which airtime voucher you purchase.

E-mail and SMS text messages are 35,00 HUF ($0.16 USD) per message.

International Calls

International rates are per minute for international outgoing calls originating from your Hungary cellphone, while you are in Hungary. All incoming calls on your cell phone, regardless of where they originate, are free with your Hungary SIM card.

*PluzzNulla (call 1741 from your mobile phone to order) utilises an Internet-based voice transfer. You may initiate international calls with lower minute fees than those applied to traditional mobile and landline calls. When subscribed to PluszNulla, instead of the traditional 00 international call code you have to dial +0 or 000 before the phone number whenever you initiate an international call.

Roaming Calls (calls placed when traveling outside of the country)

You can use your prepaid Hungary SIM card to roam internationally outside of Hungary. While roaming outside of Hungary with your Hungary cellular phone you will be able to make calls and receive calls. International roaming should be looked at only as a convenience since your incoming calls will not be free and the total cost of your calls will be significantly higher.

GPRS Data Rates (Wireless Internet)

GPRS is currently not available with the Praktikum SIM card.

Adding Airtime

Your SIM card will include an initial airtime credit to start you off, however to credit your Hungary SIM card with additional airtime, you will need to purchase recharge cards. These scratch cards may be in purchased in 3600 HUF, 7200 HUF and 14,400 HUF denominations at most convenience stores, tabac shops and petrol stations throughout Hungary.

Praktikum recharge cards are available at face value, so a 3600 HUF airtime voucher will cost you 3600 HUF and subsequently will credit your Hungary SIM card that respective amount. To charge the Hungary SIM chip with an airtime voucher proceed as follows:

You will only be able to make phone calls up to the amount of your balance. As soon as your balance decreases to 360 HUF ($1.65 USD), a short text message will be sent to you as a reminder that the amount on your SIM card will soon run out. In addition, you will hear a short warning tone during conversation (depending on the type and setting of your handset). As soon as the amount on your card is spent, the actual phone connection will be cut off and you will only be able to call 171.

Remember: Do not purchase another Hungary SIM card when your airtime credit is depleted, you only need a recharge voucher.

SIM cards are valid for one year after the last recharge. If you fail to recharge your Praktikum balance within a year, your SIM card and its respective phone number will be recycled, and any remaining airtime balance will be forfeit. If you have a remaining balance and recharge your SIM withing the 12 month period then the remaining balance will carry forward along with the amount of the most recent airtime recharge.

More Information and Resources

Keeping in touch while in Hungary can be very a frustrating and expensive experience without an international cell phone and Hungary SIM card.

Sometimes a payphone takes coins (But how many is anybody's guess!!!), other times a proprietary calling card and still others only a credit card will do with accompanying instructions that would take a week to understand.

Hungary cellular phone rentals can significantly cut down on the frustration of calling home while abroad but the airtime rates would bankrupt all but the thickest of wallets. Airtime rates for a Hungary cell phone rental can typically start at $1.50 and may be as high as $2+/minute.

Think you got a deal on your world phone and plan on doing some international roaming? With international roaming charges the airtime rate you will pay is out of this world.

The Hungary prepaid SIM chip is a quick and easy way to convert your existing world phone into a prepaid Hungary cell phone for Hungary and as discussed is more economical then a Hungary cell phone rental. For your next assignment or vacation in Hungary, this SIM chip (combined with an unlocked GSM World cell phone) helps you stay connected while avoiding those international roaming surcharges that always accompany your 'home' SIM card while abroad. We offer a growing selection of prepaid SIM Cards for other international destinations as well as a wide variety of GSM cell phone accessories and GSM international cell phones.