Important: Hungary has zero tolerance: you may not drive a motor vehicle with any alcohol in your body. The figures below are rough estimates only, vary considerably from person to person, and cannot tell you whether you are fit or allowed to drive. If you have been drinking, do not drive.
How fast is alcohol broken down?
Most of the alcohol in the body is broken down by the liver at a steady rate. Blood alcohol falls on average by about 0.1–0.15 per mille (g/l) per hour, roughly equivalent to about 10 grams of pure alcohol per hour. This process cannot be physiologically sped up.
Estimated elimination times by type of drink
| Drink | Amount | Alcohol content | Estimated time to eliminate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wine | 2 dl (200 ml) | 10% | 1 hour 40 minutes |
| Beer | 1 glass (300 ml) | 4% | 50 minutes |
| Beer | 1 large mug (about 500 ml) | 4% | 1 hour 35 minutes |
| Spirit (pálinka) | 1 shot (50 ml) | 50% | 2 hours |
With several drinks the times add up: after two large beers it already takes more than three hours, and after a long evening you may still be over the limit the next morning.
What affects your individual rate?
- Sex: women’s bodies usually contain less water, so the same drink leads to a higher blood alcohol level.
- Body weight and build: alcohol spreads through the body’s water; with a lower body weight or a higher share of body fat, the same drink produces a higher level, which takes longer to clear.
- Food: eating slows the absorption of alcohol and may lower the peak level, but it does not speed up elimination.
- Liver health: liver disease or long-term strain on the liver can slow elimination; some medicines can also have an effect.
- Genetics: the enzymes that break down alcohol work differently from person to person, so two people can differ even under identical conditions.
Myths: what does not speed it up?
Contrary to popular belief, coffee, a cold shower, exercise or drinking lots of water do not speed up the breakdown of alcohol. They may make you feel more alert, but your blood alcohol level does not fall any faster. The idea that “two hours is enough” after a few drinks is also a myth.
Why you should not rely on estimates before driving
In Hungary any detectable alcohol is an infringement punished with an administrative fine; above 0.50 g/l in the blood or 0.25 mg/l in the breath it is a criminal offence (Section 236 of the Hungarian Criminal Code). Tables and online calculators work with averages, do not show your actual level, and cannot be used as evidence in proceedings.
If it has already happened
If you have been stopped for drink-driving in Hungary, your licence has been seized or you have been summoned as a suspect, the first steps matter. Penalties, driving bans and what to do: Drink-driving in Hungary – English-speaking lawyer 0–24. What penalties courts actually impose: a practical overview based on selected cases. Phone: +36 70 379 0245.
This article is general information and does not constitute medical or legal advice.
About the author: Dr. László-Tamás Benő is a criminal defense lawyer in Budapest. He graduated in law in 2001 (Pázmány Péter Catholic University) and has worked as a defense lawyer since 2002, representing clients in more than 4,000 criminal cases. Contact →