After a while we found many differences, most of them emerging from the half century communist era. Being a tourist you are treated very well, and you don't notice so much from these differences. But when making business the picture changes drastically, especially on the countryside.

I have listed some advised for those of you that plan business in Hungary. (For us it had certainly been very beneficial to read this before we started in Hungary).

1. Use the best lawyer available.
Hungarian law is not too different from Swedish law and other laws of the European Community countries. But the praxis and how the laws are applied differ a lot. This is impossible to figure out yourself, so you definitely need a honest and skilled lawyer. If you happen to notice a business that is successful, try to get the same lawyer as them.

2. Be aware of Hungarian authorities
Forces from Hungarian authorities can be very harsh and far-reaching, compared to what is practiced in Sweden. For example, the enforcement officer can put your operation into liquidation because of unpaid invoices, and tax authorities can confiscate your bank funds without notice in advance, and this can even happen by mistake. If you don't agree to an invoice, dispute it carefully by the schoolbook, and don't keep much money officially visible.

3. Be strict with your suppliers
Many Hungarian people will probably offer products and services to you. Be aware that there might be no or weak connection with the price that is asked and the value gained for yourself. Win-win is often not much understood and you often must teach your suppliers, or if this doesn't help just exchange them.

4. Build a small network of open-minded people
Hungarian people are not more dishonest then any other people. But since business relations is often arranged to be to your disadvantage, you need people that can deeply understand both yourself and Hungarians. For example, it might be challenging that Swedish people are teaching Hungarian people how to make wine, but anyway this must be carried out by your team.

5. Quality competency is hard to obtain
So it is in many countries, but Hungarian people have for half a century being asked for volume rather than quality. In many cases people will tell you that your wishes are maybe understandable but unfortunately impossible to realize. To  get your will through and succeed, you must consider heighten your impact with suppliers from abroad.

6. Set a strategy and stick to that
You will get a lot of traditional advices from the Hungarians. You can simply not take them all to your heart, because that bounds you to what is already achieved in Hungary. If you want to make some difference, state ambitious goals from the beginning, and stick to your strategy until success.

Location: East-Central Europe (borders with Austria, Slovakia, Ukraina, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia)

Area: 93,030 square km

Population: 10,300,000 (21 percent under 14 and 60 percent between 15-59)
Density of population: 110 (per square km)

Form of government: Republic (parliamentary democracy - 4 year election periods)

Capital: Budapest (almost 2 million inhabitants)

Number of counties: 19
Number of towns: 169
Number of villages: 2,904

Climate: Continental with Mediterranean and Atlantic influences

Average temperatures: January -2C (28F), July 23C (73F)

Language: Hungarian (a very special language, originating from the Finno-Ugric tribe of languages, see below)

Currency: Hungarian Forint - HUF (FX Coverter)

Electricity: Same voltage (230 V) and plugs/sockets as in Sweden and Germany

Religion: Roman Catholic (majority), Protestant, Jewish

Urban population ratio: 60 percent

Population increment: -0.1 percent (decreasing!)

Life expectancy: men 66, women 74 (decreasing!!!)

Local time: in the winter GMT+1 hour, in the summer GMT+2 hours (same as in West Europe)

Public holidays:
1st January New Year's Day
15th March Anniversary of 1848-49 Revolution
Easter Monday
1st May Labour Day
Whitsuntide Monday
20th August St Stephen's and Constitution Day
23rd October Anniversary of 1956 Revolution
1st November All Saints' Day
25th -26th December Christmas 

International country phone code: 36
Budapest area code: 1
Important numbers:
Ambulance: 104
Police: 107
Fire service: 105
Inland enquiries: 198
International enquiries: 199
Auto club help number: 188

Villa Sandahl Kft.
8261 Badacsony
Római út 203/1
Hungary

Sandahl International AB
Box 2045
331 02 Värnamo
Sweden