Why moving to Hungary is a great idea

If you’re considering moving to Hungary, it's crucial to learn about life there. In this article, we’ll explain exactly why moving to Hungary is ideal for you.

Ellie

4 minute read

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30 Aug 2024

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Moving

Hungary is a top choice for internationals looking to move somewhere cultural that's full of experiences and opportunities. If you’re thinking about moving to Hungary, it’s a good idea to get some insight into what Hungary is like for expats. In this article, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of living in Hungary and talk about some crucial aspects of your move to Hungary, from who needs a visa to where you should live. Let’s get into it!

Before you decide to experience life there, weighing the pros and cons of moving to Hungary is important. Let’s look at some of the pros and cons that moving to Hungary has in store for you.

The pros of moving to Hungary

The cost of living in Hungary is low, as renting and living expenses are affordable. Per month, you’ll spend between Ft 137,357 (€350/$390) and Ft 196,224 (€500/$554) on basic living expenses like groceries, leisure, utilities, and transport. On average, the cost of rent in Hungary will vary greatly depending on where you live. You’ll find rental homes in Budapest for between €300 and €600 per month. Other cities like Eger, Szeged, and Györ are usually cheaper, with rental costs falling between €250 and €500 depending on what and where you rent.

Taxes in Hungary are pretty generous, with a fixed personal income tax rate of 15%. They also operate on a territorial tax system, so you mightn't have to pay taxes on dividends and capital gains sourced outside of Hungary. Many countries also hold dual tax treaties with Hungary, so you may not have to pay double taxes while living here. There’re also tax allowances for married couples, mothers, people under 25, and those living with dependents.

Job opportunities in Hungary are plentiful, especially for internationals. Of course, certain industries are more competitive to get into, but there’s a demand in Hungary for skilled workers, particularly in IT, healthcare and engineering. Many companies base their international offices in Hungary. As such, there’re also opportunities for unskilled workers. These companies will typically hire those who are native speakers of languages like Portuguese, Spanish, Russian, French and others.

Safety in Hungary is excellent, according to those living there. Hungary has very little crime of all types. Naturally, crime levels will vary depending on where you live. Busy cities like Budapest will have some more tourist-focused crimes, like pickpocketing. Generally, life in Hungary is very safe, and you’ll rarely feel unsafe while living here.

The average salary is pretty low in Hungary. Even for highly-skilled workers, you’ll make a lot more money working elsewhere. The average salary in Hungary typically falls between Ft 314,190 and Ft 510,560 per month, which is about €800 to €1,300 or $885 to $1,440. Again, the cost of living in Hungary is low enough that having a low salary here isn’t much of a problem. But if you want to make a lot of money, Hungary is probably not the place for you.

Learning Hungarian is hard, but necessary if you want to live in Hungary. Hungarian is quite a unique language with an unusual structure and vocabulary unlike many other languages. About 16% of Hungarian people can speak English. Cities like Budapest have a higher English literacy rate due to the number of tourists visiting each year. Other cities like Szeged, which has a large student population, also have higher English literacy rates than rural areas. Learning Hungarian will help you a lot in your day-to-day life regardless of where in Hungary you decide to live.

Infrastructure in Hungary is lacking outside major cities such as Budapest. The quality of education, healthcare, public transport, and roads vary greatly across Hungary, with most financial investment put into major cities. Of course, as an international, it’s unlikely that you’ll move to Hungary to live in a small rural town. However, if you plan to stay in Hungary for the long term, the varying quality of infrastructure is something to be aware of.

All non-EU/EEA residents will need a visa and residence permit to move to Hungary. If you’re moving as an EU/EEA citizen, you don’t need a visa, but you’ll have to register your address with a local authority if you stay longer than 90 days. Once you do this, you’ll receive a registration certificate and address card.

Non-EU/EEA citizens mostly move to Hungary under a student or work visa. You’ll need a visa to enter Hungary, so you’ll need to complete your visa application process and have your visa approved before you move to Hungary.

Once you reach Hungary, you must apply for a Hungarian residence permit. There’re a variety of Hungarian residence permits, depending on your reason for moving to Hungary.

The best place to live in Hungary will vary a lot depending on your reasons for moving there. Most internationals moving to Hungary will move to Budapest as it has the largest international population, the most opportunities for non-Hungarian speakers, and a decent number of English speakers. Beyond that, Budapest also has excellent universities and public transport, and despite being a popular spot for expats and tourists, it’s pretty cheap to live there.

Families often prefer to live in cities like Debrecen, Pécs, or Veszprém, as these parts of Hungary are super family-friendly. All of the aforementioned areas have excellent schools, are super safe, and are affordable. If you’re relocating with your family and Budapest isn’t appealing to you, you’ve plenty of alternatives.

Students flock to cities like Budapest, Szeged and Debrecen for their excellent universities and youthful communities. Thousands of international students choose Hungary as their study destination each year, so you’ll be in similar company in any of these cities.

While the majority of young professionals will decide to just explore rental homes in Budapest, other Hungarian cities have a lot to offer as well. Györ is an incredibly safe city with great opportunities, beautiful scenery, and a high quality of life. Eger is ideal for those who want to live a life of luxury and explore Hungary’s biggest tourist attraction: thermal baths.

In short, there’s something for everyone in Hungary, depending on your reasons for moving.

Without a doubt, Hungary is a great place to live. It offers an excellent quality of life to any expat considering moving there, and you can make the most of the low cost of living, fixed income tax rate and incredible culture. Safety is not an issue while living in Hungary, and the biggest hurdle you’ll probably face is grasping the Hungarian language. Hungary provides incentives and incredible opportunities for expats who want to move there, so you’ll be financially and logistically supported in your move to Hungary.

Have you decided to move to Hungary yet? If so, it’s time to get the ball rolling on your move to Hungary. If you’re nervous about where you’ll stay after you move, don’t worry! Renting with HousingAnywhere means you can book your first home in Hungary before you arrive. That way, you’ll have a head start in setting up the essentials, as you’ll already have your new address sorted. Now, it’s time to begin your Hungarian adventure!