Expat Advice: Culture Shock in Budapest, Hungary
What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?
Budapest
Did you receive any cross-cultural training for your move abroad? If yes, was it before or after the move?
No.

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SJB-Global is a top-rated financial advisory firm specializing in expat financial advice worldwide, offering retirement planning & tax-efficient solutions with a regressive fee model. Our clients benefit from their country’s most favorable tax environment by utilizing the efficient investment vehicles we offer. Our commitment to quality service is reflected in our stellar reviews, with over 300 testimonials boasting 95% five-star ratings.
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If they speak another language in your new country, do you speak the language? If yes, did you learn the language before you moved or while abroad? If no, are you planning to learn the language?
Little bit. Decided not to learn Hungarian but Mandarin instead as it has the same level of difficulty but is for more useful later in life.
Were you worried or concerned about culture shock before you moved abroad?
Slightly. I knew the country from visiting as a child.
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How significant was the culture shock you experienced when you moved abroad?
The culture shock came later once I felt at home and started to expect Dutch efficiency and diligence at work...
Expats often talk about going through the "stages of culture shock." Examples include the honeymoon phase, the irritation-to-anger stage, the rejection of the culture stage, and the cultural adjustment phase. Do you feel like you went through these or any other stages as you settled into the new culture?
Yes, but I skipped the honeymoon phase.
What, if any, were some of the changes you noticed in yourself that might have been caused by culture shock? These might include things such as anger, depression, anxiety, increased eating or drinking, frustration, homesickness, etc.
Frustration, un-healthy life style (difficult to get low-fat food).
What are some things you appreciate most about the new culture?
Family values, being able to patiently stand in cue, that man and women still can be man and women (as opposed to Dutch culture where everybody is almost forced to be the same), clean streets and well behaved.
What are the most challenging aspects of the new culture?
Corruption, decades of communist rule have influenced the work ethos, the way the government let's the country run into deeper trouble, lack of truly free press and objective reporting, shady party financing.
Did you "commit" any embarrassing or humorous cultural blunders? If you did and you'd like to share them, please do tell!
Actually none that I am aware of, it was more a reverse shock when I started getting involved in the Dutch expat community: the fact that I dared take the metro in this extremely dangerous city (ahum)... sorry...
Do you have any advice or thoughts about culture shock you would like to share?
Be prepared read about the other country, learn the language, go with the flow, have discipline to keep what is good about your own culture, do not immerse yourself fully in your own expat community (these people tend to be slightly sad and self-important and not in touch with the local reality.
Additional Information:
- Expat Guide to Budapest
- Healthcare & Health Insurance in Budapest
- Best Neighborhoods for Single Digital Nomads Living in Budapest
- Pros & Cons of Living in Budapest
- Fun Classes for Expats Living in Budapest
- Best Neighborhoods for Retirees in Budapest
- Best Neighborhoods for Families in Budapest
- Best Neighborhoods for Single People in Budapest
- Best International Schools and Bilingual Schools in Budapest
- 7 Weekend Getaways for Digital Nomads Living in Budapest
- Best Bookstores and Libraries in Budapest
- Fun Classes for Expats Living in Budapest
- Public Transportation in Budapest
- Best Markets in Budapest
- Retire in Budapest Guide
- 7 Tips for Living in Budapest
- Pros & Cons of Living in Budapest
- Tips for Expats Driving in Budapest
- Cost of Living in Budapest
- Health Care in Budapest
- The Insider's Guide to Budapest
- Living in Budapest
- 5 Tips for Living in Budapest
- Healthcare & Health Insurance in Hungary
- Best Places to Live in Hungary
- Real Estate in Hungary
- Pros & Cons of Living in Hungary
- Digital Nomads in Budapest, Hungary
- What It's Like Living in Budapest
- Pros and Cons of Living in Hungary 2025
- 2025 Guide to Moving to Hungary
- More Advice about Retiring in Hungary