Pros and Cons of Living in Hungary
Last updated on Oct 19, 2023
Summary: The pros of living in Hungary include its rich cultural heritage, its vibrant cities, its affordable cost of living, and its excellent healthcare system. On the other hand, the cons of living in Hungary include its cold winters, its lack of job opportunities, and its limited public transportation options.
What are the pros and cons of living in Hungary?
Expats, digital nomads and retirees living in Hungary responded:
"The location is SAFE !! Very safe. I never felt this safe in UK. People very friendly and polite. You could walk home alone in the middle of the night without fear," remarked one expat in Budapest.
"Expats and digital nomads often appreciate the low cost of living in Hungary, as well as the country's rich cultural heritage and vibrant cities. They also enjoy the friendly locals, the delicious food, and the easy access to outdoor activities. On the other hand, some expats and digital nomads may find the language barrier and bureaucracy challenging, as well as the lack of job opportunities. Additionally, the cold winters can be a deterrent for some," explained one expat living in Hungary.

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What do expats in Hungary appreciate most about the local culture?
"The people here have strong family values and very high food quality. As mentioned they patiently line up in cues and are generally very polite and warm. I have not experienced any anti-foreigner sentiment at all. I notice that most workers typically do a good job without requiring heavy supervision," said one person in Balatonfured.
"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," remarked one expat in Budapest.

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.
Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

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.
Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.
What do expats find most challenging?
"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," explained one expat living in Budapest.
About the Author
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.
Additional Information:
- Hungary Guide
- Healthcare & Health Insurance in Hungary
- Members Talk about Healthcare & Health Insurance in Hungary
- Best Places to Live in Hungary
- Real Estate in Hungary
- Guide to Real Estate in Hungary
- Pros & Cons of Living in Hungary
- Cost of Living in Hungary
- Digital Nomads in Budapest, Hungary
- 8 Things Expats Wish They Had Known Before Moving to Hungary
- 7 Best Places to Retire in Hungary
- International Schools in Budapest
- Pros and Cons of Living in Hungary 2025
- 2025 Guide to Moving to Hungary
- More Advice about Retiring in Hungary