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Liberty Bridge in Budapest

Moving to Hungary

By Betsy Burlingame

Last updated on Apr 22, 2023

Summary: Expats and digital nomads move to Hungary for its low cost of living, its vibrant culture, and its excellent infrastructure. The most popular cities for expats and digital nomads in Hungary are Budapest, Debrecen, and Szeged. People looking for a place to live in Hungary can search online for rental properties, contact a real estate agent, or look for postings on expat forums.

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What do I need to know before moving to Hungary?

When we asked people what advice they would give someone preparing to move to Hungary, they said:

"I would recommend hiring a good lawyer or finding a real good real estate agent who can guide you into the best building, if you plan to rent. I purchased my flat and I could not be happier. Even though prices have gone up lately, one of the best things is the lack of property tax, which in the US can be thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars a year. I rented for the first year before I decided to buy, and there are many nice apartments in Budapest. Most of the rental apartments here are fully furnished. Also, be aware that they do not distinguish "bedrooms" from other "rooms." So, if you want a two bedroom apartment you need to look for an apartment with three rooms (two bedrooms and a living room). The kitchen and bathrooms do not count in that calculation. In Budapest there are a lot of Airbnb apartments, so it would be good to stay away from buildings. Also, there doesn't seem to be regulations regarding businesses verses residents, so you might find a business in one of the upper floors of a building. But again, a good real estate agent or lawyer can help you figure that out," replied a member in Budapest.

"Expats should be aware that Hungary is a landlocked country in Central Europe, bordered by Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, and Slovenia. The official language is Hungarian, although English is widely spoken in the larger cities. Expats should also be aware that Hungary has a temperate climate with cold winters and warm summers. It is important to note that Hungary is a member of the European Union, and as such, expats may need to obtain a visa or residence permit in order to stay in the country for an extended period of time. Additionally, expats should be aware that the cost of living in Hungary is generally lower than in other European countries, making it an attractive destination for those looking to save money. Finally, expats should be aware that Hungary has a rich cultural heritage, with a variety of festivals and events taking place throughout the year," commented one expat who made the move to Hungary.

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Interested in expat health insurance? Take a minute to get quotes from our partner, International Citizens Insurance, a trusted expat health insurance broker. They will provide you with comparison quotes from some of the biggest expat health insurers: Cigna, Allianz, IMG and GeoBlue.
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About the Author

Betsy Burlingame Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.

Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.

Liberty Bridge in Budapest

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