Prostitution in Hungary has been legalized and regulated [1] by the government since The government allows this activity as long as they pay taxes and keep legal documents. According to the law, local authorities have the power to mark zones for legal prostitution if there is profound local need.
Most authorities have refused to designate these zones. Prostitutes must be at least 18 years old, [1] possess a "entrepreneur's permit" and pay taxes. Running brothels or providing a place for prostitution, promoting prostitution or living on the earnings of other peoples prostitution are illegal. It serves as a trade union and lobbying organisation to prostitutes in Hungary. The association also provides counselings, routine health checks, legal advice, and it serves as an outreach program to which prostitutes are encouraged to turn when facing difficulties.
Due to regulation, which mandates those engaged in prostitution to subject themselves to periodical health checks, the trade union provides such services. Hungary is a source, transit, and destination country for women trafficked from Romania and Ukraine to Hungary and through Hungary to the Netherlands , the United Kingdom , Denmark , Germany , Austria , Italy , Switzerland , France , and the United Arab Emirates for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation.
Internal trafficking of women for sexual exploitation also occurs. Romani women and girls who grow up in Hungarian orphanages are highly vulnerable to internal sex trafficking.
According to government officials and NGOs, the majority of traffickers are individuals or small, family-based groups. Organized crime syndicates transported many of the trafficking victims to or through the country for forced prostitution.
