Living and working in Hungary
Hungary is a very interesting country in Central Europe. The people are known for being warm and welcoming, especially to guests. It’s known for the vibrant capital Budapest, goulash, thermal baths and impressive architecture. Hungary is also a country that is known for the folk music, dance, and festivals.
Here we aim to provide you with a better understanding of the charming country, where you also can enjoy the lower costs of living, compared to Northern Europe. So keep reading to find out everything about living and working in Hungary!
Latest available jobs in Hungary
Dutch Affiliate Translation Associate – Budapest
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French eSignature Customer Support – Budapest (hybrid)
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French Customer Service, pharmaceutical company – Budapest (hybrid)
Looking for an opportunity to work abroad? Help French customers, enjoy career growth, and experience a vibrant city with endless possibilities. Apply now!
Currency
The official currenct in Hungary is Hungarian Forint (ISO code: HUF, symbol: Ft)
Famous people
Some notable Hungarian people are Ferenc Puskás, Barbara Palvin and Ernő Rubik
Population
Hungary has a population of ~9.7 million people, highest density in Budapest
Typical food
Gulyás (goulasch), csirke paprikas (chicken paprikash), dobos torta/dobosh (dobos cake)
Avg. working week
Hungarian has a 40 hour work week, 8 hours daily spread over 5 days a week
Location
Hungary is located in central Europe and borders Slovakia, Austria, Ukraine, Romania, Slovenia, Croatia and Serbia
Languages
The official language is Hungarian, and their alphabet is Latin-based
Healthcare
Hungarian healthcare in the bigger cities is excellent and most of their healthcare is free if you pay the social security contributions
What you need to know about working in Hungary
This beautiful country has many things to offer for expats, and it’s full of hidden towns and places to explore inside the country, besides Budapest of course. Hungarians are very hospitable and welcoming to foreigners. Due to the great location of Hungary, you also have easy and convenient opportunities for connections with the rest of Europe, if you’re interested in traveling.
What else you need to know about working in Hungary:
- It is one of the primary regional economies in the European Union.
- Their major economic activity lies in the largest cities like Budapest, Miskolc and Debrecen, where you can find more job opportunities than the rest of the country.
- They have a leading and well-developed financial market and economic sector.
- The technology sector has also been growing fast in the past years, so if you want to focus your career on these sectors, you’re likely to find many opportunities in Budapest.
- For expats there are plenty of opportunities with language based jobs.
The business culture in Hungary is one of the most sought ones around Europe. EU citizens don’t need any permits to work in Hungary which makes many expats interested in finding a job here. Once you are ready to go to Hungary, find out how to prepare for working abroad in this blog.
Working in Budapest
As one of the largest cities in Hungary, Budapest is also the economic centre of the country, housing many international brands with plenty of job opportunities.
Taxes in Hungary
In order to work in Hungary you need to request your tax card. This can be done by filling the T34 form which can be downloaded in Hungarian and in English but only submitted in Hungarian. Get all information about how to properly fill the T34 form.
In Hungary you will have a flat income tax of 15% over your salary.
Things you have to fix when living in Hungary
Next to the T34 form, you will have to fix some other basic things when you start living and working in Hungary:
- Residence permit: registration certificate after 90 days
- Social Security number (TAJ card): required for public healthcare
- Open a Hungarian bank account
- Get a Hungarian phone number
Popular cities in Hungary
Speak to one of our recruiters
Life in Hungary
Living in Hungary means embracing a land of thermal baths, mouthwatering cuisine, and traditions. The counrty is famous for its thermal spas and healing waters. With over 1000 thermal springs, Hungary offers a rejuvenating experience for both body and soul. Hungary’s festivals and traditions are part of its culture. Join the celebrations of the Budapest Wine Festival, where you can have amazing Hungarian wines while enjoying live music and views of the city. Or experience the vibrant folklore dances and music during the annual Hungarian Folk Festival, which showcases the country’s rich heritage.
7 fun facts about Hungary
- DO NOT clink your beer: In 1848 the Hungarian Revolution against the Habsburgs was defeated, ending in 13 Hungarian generals being executed and the Austrians clinking their beer after each execution. After this, Hungarians vowed to forbid clinking their beers for 150 years, time passed but the custom stays.
- It’s one of the oldest European countries: Hungary dates back to 895 which makes it older than France and Germany
- Cowboy’s people: It was very common to ride over Europe on horseback, and still today you can see this practice in Hungary
- The ‘City of Baths’: Budapest is the city with more thermal springs in the world naturally fed by 120 hot springs. Every day over 70 million litres of thermal water come up to the surface!. Many of these thermal baths date from the 16th century.
- Rubik’s cube home: Hungary is the home of many inventions like the Rubik’s cube, the ballpoint pen, holography, thermographic camera, digital computing and the first functional helicopter.
- Introductions: Using your last name during introducing yourself is a common practice in Hungary.
- Spice Lovers: Paprika is so loved by Hungarians, it became their national spice! It even has its own museum.
Vivid culture in Hungary
- Folklore and folk music play a great role and have an influence on art even nowadays, as it is their literary heritage.
- They have developed a rich spa culture due to their own natural thermal springs.
- They show their lifestyle in their crafts of ceramics and embroidery, their music, costumes and dances.
- There are special folk art demonstrations, famous all over the world, that come from the Hungarian technique.
Hungarian food and dishes
- Goulash
- Pörkölt
- Főzelék
- Hearty Gundel pancakes (filled with a mixture of walnuts and room with a sauce made from dark chocolate)
- Lángos
- Sweet fruit soup (served cold)
Housing in Hungary
Accommodation in Hungary is relatively cheap compared to other countries in Europe. Try to look online, on websites or Facebook groups for expats looking for accommodation. You can contact the landlord directly or add your own post about housing search. The average prices of housing in Hungary will be like this:
- 1-bedroom apartment in the city center
- Budapest: €530-€740 a month
- Other cities: €320-€530 a month
- 1-bedroom apartment outside the city center
- Budapest: €500-€580 a month
- Other cities: €320-€530 a month
- Room in a shared apartment: €120-€200 a month
Cost of living in Hungary
Cost of living in Hungary is low compared to other European countries. Here are examples of some of the basic costs you should be aware of:
- Groceries: €130-€200 a month
- Cheap meal in a restaurant: €7,50-€12
- Beer in a bar: €1-€3
- Coffee in a café: €1,50
- Cinema ticket: €6-€10
- Gym membership: €25-€70 a month
Still not convinced about Hungary?
Hungary offers a wealth of attractions and landmarks to explore:
- Start your journey in Budapest, the capital city, where you can visit the stunning Hungarian Parliament Building, the historic Buda Castle, and the Chain Bridge.
- Take a stroll along the Danube River and soak in the beauty of the city’s architecture.
- Also, don’t miss the thermal baths, such as the famous Széchenyi Thermal Bath, for a relaxing and rejuvenating experience.
- Outside of Budapest, you can explore the charming town of Eger, known for its mediaeval castle and thermal baths, or visit the Danube Bend region, which offers scenic landscapes and historic towns like Szentendre.
Hungary is also a treasure trove of architectural wonders:
- Explore the magnificent Parliament building in Budapest, an architectural masterpiece that will leave you in awe.
- Budapest is also home to the second-oldest underground railway in the world, the historic Line 1, which has been in operation since 1896.
Hungary is the birthplace of the Rubik’s Cube, the iconic 3D puzzle that has captivated millions worldwide. Embrace your inner puzzle solver and see if you can master the colourful challenge created by Hungarian architect Ernő Rubik.
Hungarians are known for their hospitality and warmth. The concept of “vendégszeretet” (guest-friendliness) runs deep, ensuring that you’ll feel welcome and cherished as you make Hungary your home. All of this together will make living and working in Hungary an unforgettable experience!
FAQ
No EU/EEA citizens do not need a work permit for Hungary. You can read more here.
English proficiency in Hungary varies among individuals, but overall, English is widely understood and spoken in tourist areas, hotels, restaurants, and among younger generations. It is always helpful to learn a few basic Hungarian phrases as a sign of respect, but you should be able to communicate effectively in English for most of your needs while visiting Hungary.
Hungary has a temperate continental climate with distinct seasons:
- Spring: 8-20°C. Mild and changeable.
- Summer: 22-30°C. Hot and sunny.
- Autumn: 10-20°C. Pleasant and stable early on, cooler later.
- Winter: −2-5°C. Cold and often grey, with sometimes snow.
Hungary has a good network of public transport all over the country. You can make use of buses, trains and trams and tickets are available at the metro and tram stations or street kiosks. The costs for public transport in Hungary:
- 10-ticket bundle: €11,25
- 24-hour pass: €6,85
- Monthly Budapest pass: €22,20
- Monthly Hungary Pass: €47
The healthcare system of Hungary ranges from “fair” to “very good” depending on location. In places such as the capital Budapest they have excellent healthcare. Most healthcare is free of charge if you’re making social security contributions.
If you plan to reside for a longer period of time in Hungary, we recommend learning the language to some extent. People in Hungary are very collaborative when it comes to practising their language, so don’t be afraid to ask for help on this matter. It can be difficult for some expats to learn Hungarian but it’s very rewarding since locals value this a lot. There are plenty of places where you can learn the language like the Balassi cultural institute,University of Pécs, the University of Szeged and some of them offer scholarships.