SWIFT/BIC codes in Hungary

Bank SWIFT codes for Hungary

Our directory contains 139 banks and other institutions in Hungary and 160 SWIFT/BIC codes between them. You will need such a code mainly for payments across borders, and especially for payments in foreign currencies.

Select a bank below to see its head office code and its other codes along with tips for payments to and from that bank. Below the list we explain how codes from Hungary are built, how to send money to Hungary without overpaying and what to check before you pay.

SEPA transfers to Hungary

Inside SEPA, euro transfers to Hungary follow the same rules, so the IBAN does the job in most cases. A field for the BIC is usually optional in that case.

A SWIFT code still matter when the currency is not euros and for transfers from outside SEPA. Euro payments within SEPA usually arrive within one business day. Provided no conversion is involved, a SEPA transfer tends to be inexpensive.

Citibank Europe PLC Hungarian Branch and its SWIFT codes

Of all banks in Hungary, Citibank Europe PLC Hungarian Branch is listed with the most codes. Its main office uses CITIHUHXXXX.

A large number of codes often reflects that the bank registers branches and departments separately – it says nothing about the size of the bank as such. If not a branch code is given, CITIHUHXXXX is fine for a payment to Citibank Europe PLC Hungarian Branch.

What the letters in a Hungary BIC mean

A BIC is 8 or 11 characters long and the parts always come in the same order. It starts with a four-letter bank code, then a two-letter country code and two characters for the location.

You can recognise a bank code from Hungary from letters five and six: they always show the ISO country code of Hungary. Codes with other letters in that position belong to a bank abroad.

The optional last three characters identify a branch or department; XXX means the head office. Use a branch code just when the recipient’s bank asks for it – otherwise stick with the head office.

What a sender needs to pay you in Hungary

If you are waiting for a payment from another country on an account in Hungary, send the payer all details at once. Share your name as registered with the bank, your account number or IBAN, the BIC of your bank and your address.

The code of your bank is in our list but always compare it with your own bank details. You can add the name and city of your bank, since some payment forms ask for it.

What lands in your account is often lower than what was sent. Charges on incoming payments differ from bank to bank – your bank’s price list tells you what applies. On invoices, state how the fees are split to avoid a shortfall.

Sending money to Hungary for less

An international bank payment to Hungary can cost rather more than the fee suggests. On top of a fixed fee, intermediary banks may take a cut and, if currencies are converted, the bank usually uses a rate below the real market rate.

The markup on the rate tends to be the largest part of the cost, even though it is not listed as a fee. An easy check: put the rate you get next to the mid-market rate and look at the difference.

For many currency pairs, a transfer service is cheaper than a traditional bank transfer. On GoldexPay you can compare what recipients in Hungary receive with different services.

Tracking a payment to Hungary

An international transfer to Hungary usually takes anywhere from one to several business days – it depends on currency, route and the banks in between. Bank holidays in Hungary or in the sending country can add a day or more to the journey.

Many banks use SWIFT gpi, which lets them follow a payment from bank to bank. Each gpi transfer gets a unique transaction reference, the UETR, which the sending bank can use to trace it. Specialist transfer services usually provide a status in their app so you can follow the payment.

About our data and how to check a code

Ask the recipient to send you their bank details straight from their online banking. An incorrect BIC can cause delays, a returned payment or extra fees.

Our SWIFT/BIC directory draws on publicly available sources and is updated regularly. Institutions reorganise, change names and retire codes – a directory can be a step behind. Use this list as a reference rather than the last word: the bank details from the recipient come first. GoldexPay is an independent comparison site and is not affiliated with the banks listed.

Scammers often send payment requests with changed bank details that look completely genuine. Before paying, verify changed details by phone, using a number you already had.

The Hungarian Forint (HUF) and conversion costs

Bank accounts in Hungary are typically held in HUF. If you send money in a different currency, the amount gets converted somewhere along the way: by your bank, an intermediary or the receiving bank.

Who converts the payment makes a difference. Compare how much HUF arrives with different providers; the difference between options can be larger than you expect. Exchange rates move all the time – some providers let you lock in a rate.