From HM Revenue and Customs (save your receipts) - not all Eastern European countries are subject to the same rules, but the good news seems to be >>>>

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageTravel_ShowContent&id=HMCE_PROD_010221&propertyType=document

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/travellingtotheuk/customs/whatcanibringin/allowances/

Erm, does this seem to conflict with this?? (updated Jan 2009)
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/travel-advice-by-country/europe/hungary

Either check it out, or print it out and carry it with you. I have to admit, it doesn't look a straightforward picture to me! If the allowances are correct, then I think this a case of buying them where you stay rather than at the airport, as you can't buy them duty-free.

Thanks for that Phoebe . I did find a link to the airport in Budapest and from what I read it looked similar to other EU countries whereby there is a price (duty free) for non EU residents/destinations and then the duty paid price for EU travellers whereby there didnt seem any limits.

Elsewhere I have read this 200 limit .

the reason for me querying it was that some airports (As in rome for us at christmas ) wont even allow EU residents to purchase at the "duty paid" price . The lady on the till asked us where we came from and on replying the UK she wouldnt sell us them. But then when returning from France earlier in the year 2 seperate prices ,one for EU and one for non EU.

As you suggest I think we will purchase a few while in town . It's all getting too confusing .

lyn