They must also bring with them their passport or national ID card, a document certifying health insurance coverage with an identification number, and documentation from their home country containing their name and residential address – plus contact details in Hungary.

After filling out a questionnaire, potential donors should find their nearest Hungarian National Blood Transfusion Service (OVSz) centre here.

Donation is open to those between 18 and 65 yet (60 for first-time donors), and who weighs at least 50kg. Women may donate up to four times a year, men five, and at least 56 days must elapse between donations.

Note that the whole process will take place in Hungarian and last about an hour. Drink plenty of fluids beforehand and eat as usual, avoiding fatty foods.

At the end of the session, a sterile pressure bandage is applied to the puncture site, followed by a short rest.

Do not remove the bandage for four hours and be sure to eat and drink plenty of fluids after donating.

See here or more details.

Where you can give blood

MTI Photo: Szilárd Koszticsák

Words by Peterjon Cresswell for Xpatloop.com
Peterjon has been researching the byways of Budapest for 30 years, extending his expertise across Europe to produce guidebooks for Time Out and his own website liberoguide.com