Planning to move to Hungary? Hungary is a popular European destination for expats, international students, employees, entrepreneurs, retirees and families looking for a relatively affordable cost of living, central European location and access to the European Union.
This complete Hungary relocation guide explains the main things you should consider before moving, including visas and residence permits, housing, employment, living costs, healthcare, transportation, banking and everyday life.
Immigration requirements depend on your nationality, purpose of stay and personal circumstances. EU/EEA nationals and third-country nationals are subject to different rules. Always verify your individual situation with the Hungarian immigration authorities before making travel or relocation arrangements.
The first step when moving to Hungary is determining whether you need a visa or residence permit.
Citizens of EU/EEA countries generally benefit from EU free-movement rules and have different residence requirements from citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA. If you intend to live in Hungary for an extended period, you should complete the required registration procedures and obtain the appropriate documentation.
Citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA are generally treated as third-country nationals. Depending on the reason for moving, Hungary offers different residence-permit categories.
Hungary's immigration authority states that third-country nationals seeking employment must satisfy the conditions applicable to the particular employment residence category. Some employment categories are also subject to nationality and eligibility restrictions.
For example, Hungary has a specific residence permit for guest self-employment for eligible third-country nationals who wish to perform independently conducted activities for remuneration or act as a qualifying executive of a business organisation.
Before moving, check the appropriate Hungarian residence category rather than assuming that a general "Hungary work visa" applies to everyone.
Finding accommodation is one of the most important steps when relocating to Hungary. Budapest has the largest rental market and the greatest concentration of international businesses, universities and foreign residents, but other cities can offer different lifestyles and housing costs.
Rental prices vary considerably according to city, neighborhood, apartment size, condition and proximity to public transportation.
If you are moving to Budapest, compare districts carefully rather than looking only at the advertised monthly rent. Also check whether utilities, common charges, internet and other costs are included.
๐ See our detailed guide: Rent Prices in Hungary
Hungary has employment opportunities in sectors including manufacturing, automotive, IT, business services, engineering, logistics, healthcare, tourism and education. Budapest is particularly important for international companies and business-service centers.
Foreign workers should check the immigration rules that apply to their nationality before accepting employment. For certain third-country nationals, the available employment residence categories are restricted by current Hungarian legislation. The immigration authority currently lists Georgia, Armenia and the Philippines among the countries covered by specific employment/guest-worker rules, with additional conditions and exceptions applying under the relevant legislation.
๐ Explore: Jobs in Hungary for Foreigners
One of the main reasons people consider moving to Hungary is its generally lower cost of living compared with many Western European countries. However, costs can vary substantially between Budapest, other major cities and smaller towns.
Housing is usually one of the largest expenses. Your monthly budget should also account for utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, entertainment, insurance and other personal expenses.
Do not rely on a single national average when planning your relocation budget. Calculate your expected housing and lifestyle costs based on the specific Hungarian city where you intend to live.
๐ Read: Monthly Expenses in Hungary
Hungary operates a national social health insurance system. Eligibility for public healthcare depends on your legal status and insurance relationship in Hungary. The TAJ number is the identification number used within Hungary's healthcare and social-security systems.
The National Health Insurance Fund Management (NEAK) explains that the TAJ system contains information used for healthcare and social-security administration, and eligible foreign nationals can also have TAJ numbers under the applicable rules.
If you move to Hungary for employment, your healthcare entitlement is normally linked to your insurance status and the applicable social-security rules. People who are not insured and do not otherwise have healthcare entitlement may, in certain circumstances, be required to pay a healthcare service contribution.
Hungary has an extensive public transportation network connecting Budapest with other cities and regions.
If you live and work in Budapest, public transportation can make it possible to live without owning a car, depending on your workplace and neighborhood.
After moving to Hungary, you may need a Hungarian bank account for salary payments, rent, utilities and everyday transactions.
Hungary uses the Hungarian forint (HUF) as its national currency. Although Hungary is an EU member state, it does not currently use the euro as its national currency.
Internet and mobile services are widely available throughout Hungary. Budapest and other major cities generally offer a broad selection of broadband and mobile plans.
Moving to Hungary involves several administrative tasks. Depending on your situation, you may need to deal with residence registration, taxation, social security, employment registration and local administrative offices.
Employees should make sure their employer correctly handles the required employment and social-security procedures.
Self-employed people and business owners should obtain professional tax advice because their obligations can differ from those of employees.
Families moving to Hungary can choose between Hungarian public education, private schools and international schools, depending on location and eligibility.
Budapest has the largest selection of international education options, while cities such as Debrecen, Szeged and Pรฉcs also have major universities and international student communities.
Hungary combines Central European history with modern cities, thermal baths, cultural events and a growing international community.
You can live and work in Hungary using English in many international workplaces, especially in Budapest and multinational companies. However, Hungarian can be extremely useful for dealing with local administration, healthcare, landlords, shops and everyday situations.
Learning basic Hungarian can therefore make your relocation considerably easier, even if your workplace operates primarily in English.
Hungary's residence and employment rules for third-country nationals have undergone important changes. For example, the Hungarian immigration authority's current employment guidance includes nationality-specific eligibility rules and different residence-permit categories. Check the latest official requirements before applying or making relocation plans.
Hungary can be attractive for people seeking a Central European lifestyle, relatively moderate living costs compared with many Western European countries, good transport connections and access to the wider EU region.
Yes. EU/EEA citizens and third-country nationals can move to Hungary subject to different legal requirements. Third-country nationals generally need an appropriate residence permit based on their purpose of stay.
It depends on your nationality and purpose of residence. Hungary has several residence-permit categories, but a person should not assume that simply entering Hungary as a tourist gives them the right to live and work there long term.
Hungary can be less expensive than many Western European countries, but costs vary greatly. Budapest is generally more expensive than smaller Hungarian cities, especially for housing.
Budapest is generally the easiest choice for international residents because of its large job market, universities, international companies, transportation network and expat community. Other cities may be better suited to people looking for lower housing costs or a quieter lifestyle.
Not necessarily for every job, particularly at international companies, but learning Hungarian can make daily life, administration and communication substantially easier.