Hungary has taken an important step in strengthening victim support services by connecting its national Victim Support Hotline to the EU-wide harmonised number 116 006, dedicated to victims of crime.
Operated by the Ministry of Justice, the Hungarian Victim Support Hotline has been available free of charge, 24 hours a day, since 22 February 2011. The service provides victims with legal advice, guidance on available forms of support, and emotional support, while ensuring confidentiality and anonymity.
The introduction of the 116 006 number follows a multi-step preparatory process. The number was officially allocated to the Ministry of Justice by the National Media and Infocommunications Authority, after which technical and organisational preparations were carried out in close cooperation with national service providers. These efforts, completed in 2025, ensured that the hotline could be integrated smoothly into the European harmonised system and made accessible to callers across Hungary.
With this step, Hungary connects its well-established national victim support system to a widely recognised European access point. This development makes it easier – especially for foreign victims in Hungary – to seek help through a familiar and easy-to-remember number. The integration also strengthens Hungary’s role in European victim support cooperation and contributes to improving access to assistance services across the country.
The launch coincides with the 15th anniversary of the Hungarian Victim Support Hotline, marking an important milestone in the continued development of victim support services in Hungary.
