Expat Exchange
Free MembershipSign In

Hungary Expat Forum

Hungarian pension

New Topic Newest First
Threecats
  10/17/2016 03:19 EST

Hello everyone

If anyone from Australia has been through the process of applying for a Hungarian pension, we would love to hear your experiences.
Our story is: wife and husband are about to retire in BP and have only worked in Australia, wife is a dual citizen (Hungarian and Australian) and husband is only Australian citizen

Thank you

Grazka
  10/17/2016 10:06 EST

Hi,
I didn't think somebody coming from other country like Australia can apply for a Hungarian pension.... but maybe I'm wrong. Like to hear from the people who were able to achieve this.

William RussellWilliam Russell
Get Quote

William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.

William RussellWilliam Russell

William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
Get Quote

Angiegirl
  10/17/2016 22:58 EST

I believe that ONLY Hungarians who have lived/worked in Hungary can receive a 'pension'...Just like a person who lives/works in Hungary does NOT qualify for a 'pension' in Australia...Why would you think you deserve a 'pension' from a poor country like Hungary, when you have NEVER contributed 1 dime to their 'coffers'....or work place? Kind of a 'no-brainer'....

borschelrh
  10/18/2016 03:33 EST

This relates to what I was saying before about medical coverage in Hungary. They are tied together. A I said before when I enquired about getting national health coverage now that we are permanent residents, I was told only if we sacrificed our US Social Security and took the Hungarian pension in lieu would we then be eligible for national health coverage. It is a complicated formula but is essentially 33% of the average of the last 10 years of employment and a minimum of 20 years employment plus age 62.5. How that equates I have no idea but I am certain it would be tough and would require also paying in the employers contribution. I wouldn't recommend it unless you really badly need Hungary's medical.

borschelrh
  10/18/2016 03:33 EST

This relates to what I was saying before about medical coverage in Hungary. They are tied together. A I said before when I enquired about getting national health coverage now that we are permanent residents, I was told only if we sacrificed our US Social Security and took the Hungarian pension in lieu would we then be eligible for national health coverage. It is a complicated formula but is essentially 33% of the average of the last 10 years of employment and a minimum of 20 years employment plus age 62.5. How that equates I have no idea but I am certain it would be tough and would require also paying in the employers contribution. I wouldn't recommend it unless you really badly need Hungary's medical.

Grazka
  10/18/2016 11:06 EST

Well in Australia is absolutely different law when comes to pension.... if you are in pension age and you don't have a income you will get the pension....if you didn't work at all or you work 50 years. It's do not make any difference as pension is not base like in Europe on time of work.
If you are Hungarian and u never work here u will not get any pension either....only if happen your spouse died who had pension so then you can have after him.
So only what people who are coming from other country can do ( not sure about America as there everything is different ) they can apply in own country to their pension to be send to Hungary ( it's always rediuced). But if they can't get pension in own country they have nothing.....only investing own money can help them to survive.

William RussellWilliam Russell
Get Quote

William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.

William RussellWilliam Russell

William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
Get Quote

Threecats
  10/21/2016 21:47 EST

There is an agreement between Australia and Hungary that recognizes time worked in either country. The agreement was signed in 2012. We know plenty of Hungarians living in Australia getting the Aussie pension who never worked there. Actually the same type of agreement applies between Hungary and Canada, so maybe some Canadian retirees out there can let us know?

peddington
  10/22/2016 16:11 EST

I heard that some pensions can be "domesticated" but it may not worth it coming to Hungary where wages are low therefore pensions are low too!

EllaS
  3/9/2017 11:01 EST

:) and you are right. Wherever you've worked and paid taxes is where you are able to claim retirement benefits. If they worked in Australia - that is where they need to apply - provided they paid taxes, that is.

EllaS
  3/9/2017 11:05 EST

There is no reason why you can not be a dual citizen. If you are a Hungarian citizen (rather than a permanent resident) you are eligible to pay around $35/month for your national health insurance. The only difference then between you and a Hungarian who lived and paid into it all their lives is that they can stop making payments at age 65 - you will continue to make your monthly payments.

I think it quite fair considering how much premiums are in the US then we have not talked about the out of pocket expenses before the insurance kicks in - what 80%?

Think about it - you do not have to give up your original citizenship - dual citizens are all over.

EllaS
  3/9/2017 11:07 EST

Sorry, but if it did not occur to you for 65 years that you will need money to live on once you reach that age - maybe you do not need to survive to leach off others who did.

William RussellWilliam Russell
Get Quote

William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.

William RussellWilliam Russell

William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
Get Quote

peddington
  3/9/2017 12:55 EST

Becoming a "dual citizen" is a personal choice. Some that served in the military may not choose the "dual loyalty" that goes with taking the OATH!

Angiegirl
  3/9/2017 14:34 EST

I plan on becoming a Hungarian citizen....when I go back to visit in JUne...

peddington
  3/9/2017 15:59 EST

More power to you my friend! Do bring with you a lot of Excedrin Headache pills as you will need them! Why? Because becoming a citizen is ONLY the first STEP! To be a REAL Hungarian you will need an ADDRESS CARD. This only will require you to buy a house or one of your Hungarian relatives allow you to register at their house. But wait you are not done yet! You will need a tax payer identification number. So head of to the tax office and do some more form filling. But wait! Don't go on Wednesday afternoon because they only open until 1200. Some government offices don't entertain walk ins certain days etc. Oh and don't forget to bring ALL required papers because you will have to go back another time. Oh and if you have any papers from other countries you will have to get them translated by the only Government accepted (Orszagos Fordito Iroda) office. Yeah, they charge by the letter! Mind you you not all done because the Office of Vital Statistics may not transfer ALL your date for 2 or 3 years. Oh and did I forgot to mention? Each Government office has 30 days to do anything or reply to your request. Not so bad right? Yeah they forget to mention that they can extend the initial 30 days by another 30 days! So why you get around doing all the paperwork you get a traffic ticket. You will get a four page letter describing you sins of speeding referencing the 1952 KRESZ/Traffic Law...did I mention 1952? And yes you may pay the 50,000 Forint fine with no recourse cause the police radar couldn't possibly out of calibration and we certain that the police officer with his vinyl gun holster and blue T-Shirt was qualified. I could go on but why bother - NOWHERE IS PERFECT - RIGHT!? LOL!

Angiegirl
  3/9/2017 18:55 EST

I have heard it is very 'beaurocratic' and that is so unfortunate. I was born there and therefore all I require I have....in the form of papers, etc. I can probably do this and save myself a headache thru Los Angeles Embassy....I live in CA...right now...and, I am retired...so, a little bit easier as I don't plan to work (only volunteer basis)....Glad I am not planning on working there....makes life easier...Just have not totally decided, personally, yet as to whether I want to leave my 'cushy' life over the GG Bridge! lol.

Angiegirl
  3/9/2017 19:32 EST

I DO have dual loyalty; which is why I will get my (naturally entitled to Hungarian passport as well)....I was born in Pest.

Angiegirl
  3/9/2017 19:57 EST

I have my own money. I don't know about anyone else...only myself. I worked all my life...so, I get Social Security sent anywhere in the world beginning next year! I don't need anything from Hungary. I am self-contained financially. Happy to say :) Hope you didn't mean me!

Angiegirl
  3/9/2017 19:59 EST

Health insurance sounds 'very fair'....also, I am almost 65 - so I will have to think of that too in my budget! I am financially stable, happy to say!

borschelrh
  3/9/2017 23:43 EST

I don't know exactly how it works but I do know I asked in fine detail when we got our Permanent Resident visas that to enroll in Hungarian Health Care we would have to also accept the Hungarian pension plan and forfeit our American Social Security to the HUngarian government. I checked this two different offices and got similar, but not exact, responses so maybe it is BS being made up as they go which I have found fairly common here. Next year I plan to apply for citizenship and perhaps that changes things.I simply do not know and Hungarian laws seem obtuse at best so I will contact a lawyer the next time I want to pursue this question about National Health Care. It isn't critical for us as we are financially secure and can afford cash but it would be nice to have just to simplify the process as it is a real goat rope to get processed at a Hungarian hospital if you don't have a Hungarian Insurance card.

borschelrh
  3/9/2017 23:57 EST

Angie, Bureaucratic nightmare as Peddington describes is pretty right on. It is actually comical when you go through it if you keep a light attitude. That is essential otherwise you will not progress through whatever bizarre process is involved. We got our Permanent Residence cards a couple of years ago and it was expensive and a nightmare beyond belief and even entailed a home inspection. The address cards are through the Mayor's office so is perhaps easier but you have to go through this process simultaneously.

We imported a car from the US when we first came and that was possibly my worst experience and required no less than 20 trips to the customs office. That was just trying to get back the $5000 I had to pay in Germany to get the car released. Now that was a serious hassle. The immigration is actually fairly smooth once you get everything in place. As we don't work here we don't have tax ID cards which I suspect is a requirement prior to applying for Hungarian Insurance after getting dual citizenship. I don't know but we will wade through that when we do it next year. But, I will hire an attorney next time and perhaps grease it better. I watched at Immigration Americans stationed at Papa Air Base (Boeing contractors) get their stuff immediately and no hassle and they were bumped ahead of everyone else so there must be an "alternate" system in place for "special" people. I was livid as I had to go several times as the lines were so long and the time involved takes you to the end of their work day. They do not make appointments...ever. It was frustrating to arrive at opening, wait all day, and then get bumped by some Boeing contractors who walk in the door with an attorney, and then have to come back again (not the next day as they were closed). This happened several times and it is pretty rough on the blood pressure. Now we have the immigration crisis and I can't imagine that has made it any easier. But, this is part of life living here in Hungary. I accept it but don't like it. However, spending 40 years in the US Army (28 in uniform and 12 as a GS civilian) this kind of stuff is more or less normal in the military. Still, it is extremely frustrating.

borschelrh
  3/10/2017 00:07 EST

Angie, in fairness to Peddington I do believe that understanding the political issues here are also something that needs to be considered. I wouldn't restrict it to just non-political issues as the politics are part and part of the life here. I also agree name calling has no place as well but you do have to understand that a large number of people are frustrated with Orban. His corruption is legendary and on par with a lot of banana republics (and the US now as well). On the other hand he also has done a lot so I think it is a trade off. The problem here is the people don't vote for the Prime Minister or President only for their representative in Parliament. Fidez by hook or by crook took the majority and has made sweeping, and often completely illegal changes to the constitution a lot of which were rejected in the EU court. I don't try and defend him but I am pleased at a lot of what has happened. We did after all pay off the World Bank and IMF loans under Orban and trade has increased and the immigration issue dealt with boldly. But, we also see cronyism and "privatization" of castles for family members at unbelievably cheap prices, non-competitive bids for contracts for things like street lights and paving which went to Ornan's son-in-law. There is a lot of that so you get the bad with the good. On the other hand since 1992 the country has had horrible leadership in general so this is just one more in a long line. In general things have improved under Fidez and the immigration issue is huge here and in that he did the right thing. Fighting off the US attacks and trying to mend things with Russia I also see as good things as well. But, he has been trying to walk the knife edge of pleasing all sides and that always ends in disaster.

peddington
  3/10/2017 03:03 EST

OH! California! That is fortunate for you because California is about as close you get to Hungary in the US as you could get. Why? Well California is full of cookie ideas and restrictions (from car emission to gun control) and well Hungary is kind of like that so for you the change will be relatively speaking minimal. Don't misunderstand. If you have a pension and/or social security of at least $2,000 USD you can live on that in Hungary OK! Despite the 27% AFA/VAT/Tax (but not on everything) while it is the highest anywhere surprisingly the prices are fairly reasonable, except perhaps electronics stuff. But of course you know all this since you have Hungarian roots. Good luck in your transition just be aware (and take it from someone who knows) the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence until you get to the other side! LOL!

borschelrh
  3/10/2017 10:47 EST

Yes, California the land of fruit and nuts. I am a native Californian but haven't been back there since my dad died back in 2001. My 92 y/o mom is here with us in Hungary and doing fine.

Ped, I get around the issues of buying stuff by using a few methods. First and easiest is to just use Amazon in Germany or Italy and order from there. It is relatively fast although I have discovered a great deal of it is actually shipped from China to Poland and re-distributed from there thus avoiding the 35% import duty. Sometimes I get charged full 27% AFA but usually I get away with the German VAT of 19%. You can tell just before you finalize the der (but not before) what the total price will be including whatever VAT they decide on. The other way is to order direct from China using Aliexpress or similar. There used to be an allowance of 15,000 HUF per purchase duty free but that has recently been lowered (Jan 1st) to 2,000 HUF so nearly everything gets the 35% import tax now. However, if you order from somebody like Gearbest or Banggood (among others) they have European warehouses (although limited selection) and then once again you avoid both the VAT and the 35% import duty. Last choice is Ebay either in the UK or Germany and YMMV on that. For really expensive stuff we generally travel a lot and in Russia or the US you can buy expensive things like computers and just bring them back. It is a lot cheaper and worth lugging it through the airports. Apple stuff is usually a lot cheaper in Russia due to the fluctuating exchange rate which Apple can't seem to keep up with. I try not to go there as much as I can though but we have relatives so it is a periodic requirement. We can also cheat a bit as I am retired military and can shop in the Italian BX or PX and get okay (not as cheap as in America but better than in Hungary) prices. But it is all US stuff with 110V and NTSC problems so unless it is multi-voltage we don't bother. I mention it as there might be other retired military reading this. Warning though only Italy allows retirees to shop. All the rest (Germany, UK, Netherlands, Belgium, Kosovo, Romania) now won't do it. Papa has no facilities even though it is commanded by a USAF Captain. Maybe when the US tank Brigade gets stationed in Hajmasker we might also get a PX.

EllaS
  3/10/2017 11:26 EST

:) Not really understanding your point. ALL countries have government offices functioning exactly the same way. Oh, and excuse them for requiring papers to be presented on what they can base their decision on, right? You mean to tell me that if you went to a gov. office in the UK or in the US they would accept your papers in Hungarian?? Get a grip and stop griping. Get things done. If waiting is not to your liking - call helpers.hu and they will stand in line for you - for a fee, of course but you are spared.

p.s. there is a way to get around the exorbitant official translation - do it in your home country and take (or send it) to the Hungarian embassy there. Reasonable notary fee. Let's keep that among us as they may change it if they realize there is a less expensive way.

peddington
  3/10/2017 15:05 EST

Sorry! Obviously I wasn't clear so let me touch on two points. First I don't have a problem with the requirement to translate (although for example lot of countries do their documents in three languages like the Romanians "Romanian, French and English) so really there is no need to translate but I digress. First the Hungarian government usually ONLY accepts translation done by the National Translation Office and if you would guess someone is making money on that. Yes there are literally hundreds of licensed translators/offices in the country but for some unknown reason the bureaucrats DON'T accept those. In the US that is NOT the case. Second; as to the notary they make a big deal about that in Hungary. It is like "if it is notarized God spoke and made it so" kind of thing. Only lawyers can do it but not all lawyers only those with additional qualification (whatever that means). Of course in the use it is a simple thing and doesn't cost a minimum of $80-100 but usually free or maybe $5. The US Embassy not to miss the wagon charges $50 for a notary. And incidentally don't get me started on the "apostille" that's another nightmare. LOL!

peddington
  3/10/2017 15:10 EST

Good stuff Bor as usual - Thanks!
Maybe SOFA or other agreement with the host country will change that soon, who knows!

William Russell
William Russell

Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
Get Quote

William RussellWilliam Russell

Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
Get Quote

Living in Hungary GuideLiving in Hungary Guide

Guide to Living in Hungary covering expat life, local culture, finding a home, diversity and more.

Hungary Forum Hungary Forum
Join our Hungary forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Hungary.

Contribute to Hungary Network Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Hungary.

Best Places to Live in Hungary Best Places to Live in Hungary

If you're thinking about living in Hungary, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in Hungary in 2023.

Healthcare in HungaryHealthcare in Hungary

If you're moving to Hungary or an expat living in Hungary, understanding the Hungarian healthcare system in important. This article offers an overview of the national healthcare system, private hospitals and healthcare, private health insurance for expats in Hungary, clinics with English-speaking doctors and the quality and cost of medical care in Hungary.

Cost of Living in HungaryCost of Living in Hungary

Expats offer insight into the cost of living in Hungary.

Moving to HungaryMoving to Hungary Guide

Expats share 8 things they which they had known before they made the big move to Hungary - from what to bring to finding a good bank, healthcare to deciding where to live.

Real Estate in HungaryReal Estate in Hungary

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Hungary.

Pros Cons of Living in HungaryPros & Cons of Living in Hungary

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Hungary.

Retiring in HungaryRetiring in Hungary

Advice for people retiring in Hungary.

10 Tips for Living in Hungary10 Tips for Living in Hungary

If you've recently arrived in Hungary, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in Hungary.

William Russell
William Russell

Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
Get Quote

William RussellWilliam Russell

Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
Get Quote

Contribute to Hungary Network Contribute
Help others in Hungary by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Hungary.

William Russell
William Russell

Copyright 1997-2024 Burlingame Interactive, Inc.

Privacy Policy Legal