Government type: Parliamentary Democracy
Capital: Budapest
Total Area: 93,030 km2
Population: 9,937,628 (2011 census)
GDP Per Capita: (PPP) $25,239
Official language: Hungarian
Religions: Christian (52.9%) of which Roman Catholics (37.1%) and Hungarian Reformed Calvinists (11.1%), Lutherans (2.2%), Greek Catholics (0.3%), and Jehovah’s Witnesses (0.1%). Jewish (0.1%), and Muslim (0.06%), 16.7% (not religious)
Country code: +36
Currency: HUF (Hungarian Forint)
Voltage: 220 V
The small country of Hungary (Magyarország), surrounded by a sea of Slavs, is unique for its language, culture and ability to survive.
Settled by the Magyars (a Finno-Ugric tribe who arrived in the ninth century), the country and its people have remained true to their heritage despite Mongol invasion in the 13th century, Turkish occupation in the 16th and 17th centuries, Austrian rule in the 18th and early 19th centuries, and communist domination in the mid 20th century.
The pride locals have for their nation is immense, but it doesn’t spring solely from the stalwart strength of their nation.
Hungary is also home to historic urban centers and evocative landscapes, not to mention quality wines, delicious cuisine, rejuvenating thermal springs, and a thriving arts and music scene.
Budapest, the capital, is a fantastic city split in two by the Danube. Buda is older, hillier, and more graceful, while Pest is the commercial center dotted by gorgeous art nouveau buildings.
Budapest contains the great bars and clubs, and has been a long time haven for writers, artists and musicians. Other centers, such as Eger, Pécs, Szentendre and Sopron, to name but a few, are vibrant cities with rich histories and stunning architecture.
The “Alföld” (Great Plain), a seemingly unending prairie topped by big skies, is the country’s defining landscape, but Hungary’s outdoor beauty doesn’t stop there.
There are 11 national parks and hundreds of protected areas to explore, along with Lake Balaton, Europe’s largest body of fresh water, a multitude of meandering rivers and thousands of acres of vineyards and orchards.
And at the end of a hard day sightseeing, there’s no better place to relax than in one of Hungary’s 150 thermal spas, some of which date back to Roman days.
Hungary is situated in Central Europe, sharing borders to the north with the Slovak Republic, to the northeast with Ukraine, to the east with Romania, to the south with Croatia and Serbia and to the west with Austria and Slovenia. There are several ranges of hills, chiefly in the north and west. The Great Plain (Nagyalföld) stretches east from the Danube to the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, to the mountains of Transylvania in Romania, and south to the Fruska Gora range in Croatia. Lake Balaton is the largest unbroken stretch of inland water in Central Europe.
The rental market is not only focused on Budapest. Good quality properties are also available in the countryside, mainly centred on other significant economic regions. The housing market overall in Budapest may be considered a “tenants’ market”, as there is a good supply of suitable housing, readily available. However, for good quality properties in the most favoured Budapest locations, and also outside the capital, the market much more favours the landlord.
In general, if one is planning to stay for a longer time (minimum one year) in Budapest or elsewhere in Hungary and plan on renting a larger house (often due to the size of the family) we recommend our clients consider bringing their own furniture or purchasing furniture in Hungary as most landlords do not tend to furnish homes of this size.
For short-term rentals (less than one year), or for apartments, one can typically find a furnished home in either the downtown area of Pest or on the Buda side. If for some reason the landlord is requested to furnish the property for the tenant, the rental price will generally be higher. Houses are typically located on the Buda side of the Danube (districts, II, III, XI, XII), apartments are mostly located on the Pest side (downtown area, districts V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, XIII).
It is important to note that it is highly uncommon to find exclusive letting by real estate agencies in Hungary. Landlords typically have contracts with several agencies, which can prove problematic as on occasion real estate agencies’ proposals can overlap. This is just one more reason to employ a professional relocation service provider to manage the home search process!
Rental fees depend on the size, quality and location of the property excluding utility cost. Utility costs strongly depend on the energy consumption and number of persons occupying the property.
Standard Tenancy: Minimum 12 months
Security Deposit: Yes, usually equivalent to 1-2 months’ rent
Holding Deposit: Usually not required
Real Estate Commission: Commission is paid by the landlord to the letting agent
Utilities: Tenant’s responsibility, usually not included within the rent
The Hungarian social security system
The Hungarian healthcare system is largely free of charge for anyone who can provide a Hungarian social insurance number and card (TAJ szám, TAJ kártya) or who holds a valid EU International Health Card (EHIC). Medical services in Hungary are substantially financed by the state budget, which takes a monthly contribution from every locally contracted employee’s salary, and no payment is claimed for the actual treatment. With a valid Hungarian social security account, you are entitled to full medical care, excluding prescription charges.
Healthcare for EU citizens
EU citizens who are not paid a salary locally but who possess an EHIC are also treated free of charge to an extent. Only those treatments are free of charge, which are considered urgent and necessary by a given doctor. Any additional hospital care or the cost of non-urgent care would need to be settled personally by the patient. When using the EHIC, reimbursement of the cost of treatment varies from country to country, depending on the agreement between Hungary and the given country. Usually the two health insurance authorities settle the re-invoicing of the cost. Before arrival, please investigate this with your own state health authority.
With the EHIC only urgent and necessary treatments are provided free of charge. Just as in other countries, you are entitled to hold private medical insurance as well and this is certainly something we recommend for anyone who is not fully covered by the state healthcare system. Holding a private medical insurance policy does not exclude you from having to contribute to the state system, so the monthly contributions will still be taken from your monthly salary.
Should your employment be terminated for any reason, then after 46 days of the termination, you need to take out a private contract with the Hungarian state healthcare authority. The fee payable could be less than 7,000 HUF per month but could be somewhat higher, depending on the level of social security contributions you have paid during the current financial year to date.
For a family member of an EU citizen who has been living in Hungary for a year (this is counted from the issuing date of the address card) it is mandatory to make a private contract with the state health authority. The fee payable depends on the given year’s fees when you have to make this contract.
For children under the age of 18 the health care system is free of charge, though parents will need to apply for a Hungarian social security card for any child, once they have obtained a Hungarian Registration and an address card.
A baby born in Hungary automatically receives the Hungarian social security card, once the registration at the immigration office has been completed. The Hungarian social security card is delivered to the address that has been provided for the registration card request.
Healthcare for Non-EU citizens
A Non-EU citizen is entitled to take any medical care free of charge in case he or she is on Hungarian payroll and an employee of a Hungarian company, just like their Hungarian and EU colleagues.
An employee’s family members in any case need to present proof of comprehensive health insurance for their residence permit application. This is important as family members of non-EU employees on local payroll are not covered by the employee’s Hungarian state social security payments.
It is possible for non-EU family members to access the state healthcare system via a private contract with the health authority. The fee payable is calculated as follows: for children under the age of 18, 30% of that given year’s gross minimum monthly wage needs to be paid (by yellow postal check) per month. For applicants over the age of 18, the percentage is higher, at 50% of the gross minimum wage. Once the first payment is made, the individual has the right to urgent and necessary treatment only. Full access to the system is only given after 7 months’ payments have been made. An applicant may gain full access to the system immediately but then they must pay in 7 months’ contributions immediately. As a non-EU resident it’s not compulsory to contract with the Hungarian state healthcare system, but it certainly is compulsory to hold private health insurance that would cover any possible eventualities.
Private healthcare
There are plenty of private clinics and healthcare options for anyone looking to be treated in English or another foreign language and in more comfortable surroundings than one might find in a typical state hospital or clinic in Hungary. Payment options include already holding an international insurance policy that one of the private clinics accepts or it is also possible to take out a local private policy with one of the clinics. This would give coverage up to a certain point but it’s important to note that most of the private clinics don’t include in-patient care or more complex diagnosis such as CT and MRI and if the patient doesn’t hold state health insurance or a comprehensive international health insurance policy. In general it’s best to talk to at least one private clinic and get a feel for what they do and do not cover.
Most of the international kindergartens and schools are located in Budapest in districts II, III and XII surronded by the Buda hills. These are the most popular areas for expats with children, as they are most convenient for family life. For families interested in placing their children, these kindergartens and schools provide pre-arranged organized tours when they introduce their service and give all the information thus making the expat’s decision easier.
Some of the main international kindergartens and schools are the following:
A to Z
Happy Kids
Super Kids
Lycee Francais Gustave Eiffel de Budapest
American International School of Budapest
British International School (BISB)
Britannica International School
Thomas Mann Gymnasium
Lauder Javne School
Upon arrival, new residents must complete several processes: residence registration, obtaining a tax ID and social security (TAJ) number, and possibly enrolling in the national insurance system.
These steps are often confusing without local assistance. Our experts guide clients through every stage quickly and compliantly.
If you’re planning a move to Central Europe, this relocation guide to Hungary is your essential starting point.
Government type: Parliamentary Democracy
Capital: Budapest
Total Area: 93,030 km2
Population: 9,937,628 (2011 census)
GDP Per Capita: (PPP) $25,239
Official language: Hungarian
Religions: Christian (52.9%) of which Roman Catholics (37.1%) and Hungarian Reformed Calvinists (11.1%), Lutherans (2.2%), Greek Catholics (0.3%), and Jehovah’s Witnesses (0.1%). Jewish (0.1%), and Muslim (0.06%), 16.7% (not religious)
Country code: +36
Currency: HUF (Hungarian Forint)
Voltage: 220 V
Hungary offers a unique mix of historical charm and modern infrastructure. Budapest is a thriving expat hub with excellent public transport and a growing English-speaking population.
Cities like Debrecen, Pécs, and Szeged are also welcoming communities with lower living costs and easy access to services.
The small country of Hungary (Magyarország), surrounded by a sea of Slavs, is unique for its language, culture, and ability to survive.
Settled by the Magyars (a Finno-Ugric tribe who arrived in the ninth century), the country and its people have remained true to their heritage despite Mongol invasion in the 13th century, Turkish occupation in the 16th and 17th centuries, Austrian rule in the 18th and early 19th centuries, and communist domination in the mid-20th century.
As this relocation guide to Hungary explores the country’s deep-rooted history and Central European identity, it becomes clear how tradition and modernity coexist here.
The pride locals have for their nation is immense, but it doesn’t spring solely from the stalwart strength of their nation.
Hungary is also home to historic urban centers and evocative landscapes, not to mention quality wines, delicious cuisine, rejuvenating thermal springs, and a thriving arts and music scene.
Budapest, the capital, is a fantastic city split in two by the Danube. Buda is older, hillier, and more graceful, while Pest is the commercial center dotted by gorgeous art nouveau buildings.
Budapest contains the great bars and clubs, and has been a long time haven for writers, artists and musicians. Other centers, such as Eger, Pécs, Szentendre and Sopron, to name but a few, are vibrant cities with rich histories and stunning architecture.
The “Alföld” (Great Plain), a seemingly unending prairie topped by big skies, is the country’s defining landscape, but Hungary’s outdoor beauty doesn’t stop there.
There are 11 national parks and hundreds of protected areas to explore, along with Lake Balaton, Europe’s largest body of fresh water, a multitude of meandering rivers and thousands of acres of vineyards and orchards.
And at the end of a hard day sightseeing, there’s no better place to relax than in one of Hungary’s 150 thermal spas, some of which date back to Roman days.
Hungary is situated in Central Europe, sharing borders to the north with the Slovak Republic, to the northeast with Ukraine, to the east with Romania, to the south with Croatia and Serbia and to the west with Austria and Slovenia.
There are several ranges of hills, chiefly in the north and west.
The Great Plain (Nagyalföld) stretches east from the Danube to the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, to the mountains of Transylvania in Romania, and south to the Fruska Gora range in Croatia.
Lake Balaton is the largest unbroken stretch of inland water in Central Europe.
Rental agreements typically require a 12–24-month commitment with a two-month deposit. The market is landlord-driven, and clear contracts are essential.
Central Budapest is the most expensive area, but Districts 9, 11, and 13 are popular for international assignees. Our relocation team assists with vetted listings, lease negotiation, and legal documentation.
The rental market is not only focused on Budapest. Good-quality properties are also available in the countryside, mainly centered on other significant economic regions.
The housing market overall in Budapest may be considered a “tenants’ market”, as there is a good supply of suitable housing readily available.
However, for good-quality properties in the most favoured Budapest locations, and also outside the capital, the market much more favours the landlord.
In general, if one is planning to stay for a longer time (minimum one year) in Budapest or elsewhere in Hungary and plans on renting a larger house (often due to the size of the family), we recommend our clients consider bringing their own furniture or purchasing furniture in Hungary, as most landlords do not tend to furnish homes of this size.
For short-term rentals (less than one year) or for apartments, one can typically find a furnished home in either the downtown area of Pest or on the Buda side.
If for some reason the landlord is requested to furnish the property for the tenant, the rental price will generally be higher.
From downtown Budapest apartments to suburban homes, this relocation guide to Hungary highlights housing trends, rental costs, and what to expect in the most popular expat districts.
Houses are typically located on the Buda side of the Danube (districts, II, III, XI, XII), apartments are mostly located on the Pest side (downtown area, districts V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, XIII).
It is important to note that it is highly uncommon to find exclusive letting by real estate agencies in Hungary.
Landlords typically have contracts with several agencies, which can prove problematic as on occasion real estate agencies’ proposals can overlap.
This is just one more reason to employ a professional relocation service provider to manage the home search process!
Rental fees depend on the size, quality and location of the property excluding utility cost. Utility costs strongly depend on the energy consumption and number of persons occupying the property.
Whether you’re relocating to Budapest or settling in another city, our relocation guide to Hungary helps you navigate each step of the process.
Most of the international kindergartens and schools are located in Budapest in districts II, III and XII surrounded by the Buda hills.
These are the most popular areas for expats with children, as they are most convenient for family life.
For families interested in placing their children, these kindergartens and schools provide pre-arranged organized tours when they introduce their service and give all the information thus making the expat’s decision easier.
Some of the main international kindergartens and schools are the following:
Hungary provides both public and private healthcare. Public services are affordable but have long waiting times, so many expats prefer private providers.
Health insurance is mandatory, and we help our clients find the right coverage for their situation.
The Hungarian social security system
The Hungarian healthcare system is largely free of charge for anyone who can provide a Hungarian social insurance number and card (TAJ szám, TAJ kártya) or who holds a valid EU International Health Card (EHIC).
Medical services in Hungary are substantially financed by the state budget, which takes a monthly contribution from every locally contracted employee’s salary, and no payment is claimed for the actual treatment.
With a valid Hungarian social security account, you are entitled to full medical care, excluding prescription charges.
Healthcare for EU citizens
EU citizens who are not paid a salary locally but who possess an EHIC are also treated free of charge to an extent. Only those treatments are free of charge, which are considered urgent and necessary by a given doctor.
Any additional hospital care or the cost of non-urgent care would need to be settled personally by the patient. When using the EHIC, reimbursement of the cost of treatment varies from country to country, depending on the agreement between Hungary and the given country.
Usually the two health insurance authorities settle the re-invoicing of the cost. Before arrival, please investigate this with your own state health authority.
With the EHIC only urgent and necessary treatments are provided free of charge. Just as in other countries, you are entitled to hold private medical insurance as well and this is certainly something we recommend for anyone who is not fully covered by the state healthcare system.
Holding a private medical insurance policy does not exclude you from having to contribute to the state system, so the monthly contributions will still be taken from your monthly salary.
Should your employment be terminated for any reason, then after 46 days of the termination, you need to take out a private contract with the Hungarian state healthcare authority.
The fee payable could be less than 7,000 HUF per month but could be somewhat higher, depending on the level of social security contributions you have paid during the current financial year to date.
For a family member of an EU citizen who has been living in Hungary for a year (this is counted from the issuing date of the address card) it is mandatory to make a private contract with the state health authority. The fee payable depends on the given year’s fees when you have to make this contract.
For children under the age of 18, the health care system is free of charge, though parents will need to apply for a Hungarian social security card for any child once they have obtained a Hungarian Registration and an address card.
A baby born in Hungary automatically receives the Hungarian social security card once the registration at the immigration office has been completed. The Hungarian social security card is delivered to the address that has been provided for the registration card request.
Healthcare for Non-EU citizens
A non-EU citizen is entitled to take any medical care free of charge in case he or she is on Hungarian payroll and an employee of a Hungarian company, just like their Hungarian and EU colleagues.
An employee’s family members, in any case, need to present proof of comprehensive health insurance for their residence permit application. This is important, as family members of non-EU employees on local payroll are not covered by the employee’s Hungarian state social security payments.
It is possible for non-EU family members to access the state healthcare system via a private contract with the health authority.
The fee payable is calculated as follows: for children under the age of 18, 30% of that given year’s gross minimum monthly wage needs to be paid (by yellow postal check) per month. For applicants over the age of 18, the percentage is higher, at 50% of the gross minimum wage.
Once the first payment is made, the individual has the right to urgent and necessary treatment only. Full access to the system is only given after 7 months’ payments have been made.
An applicant may gain full access to the system immediately, but then they must pay in 7 months’ contributions immediately. As a non-EU resident, it’s not compulsory to contract with the Hungarian state healthcare system, but it certainly is compulsory to hold private health insurance that would cover any possible eventualities.
Private healthcare
There are plenty of private clinics and healthcare options for anyone looking to be treated in English or another foreign language and in more comfortable surroundings than one might find in a typical state hospital or clinic in Hungary.
Payment options include already holding an international insurance policy that one of the private clinics accepts, or it is also possible to take out a local private policy with one of the clinics.
This would give coverage up to a certain point, but it’s important to note that most of the private clinics don’t include inpatient care or more complex diagnoses such as CT and MRI if the patient doesn’t hold state health insurance or a comprehensive international health insurance policy.
In general, it’s best to talk to at least one private clinic and get a feel for what they do and do not cover.
Relocation Guide to Latvia
