
lucikelemen
Hungarian expat in Austria
About me
Hungarian
Speaks Hungarian, English, German.
Registration: 16 October 2025
Articles written or translated by lucikelemen

Finding a job in Hungary as an expat can be a bit challenging, especially if you're not an EU/EFTA citizen. Although the country's economy is recovering from its recent slump with a projected 2.5% growth in 2026, and the unemployment rate is stabilizing, there is a strong preference from the government to give jobs to Hungarians first, with a strict quota on guest workers at 35,000 permits to third-countries nationals for the year of 2026 (down from the previous 65,000).
28 April 2026
Because of its central location on the continent and the good connections with the neighbouring markets, as well as its growing economy, Hungary is a great place to start your own business. In fact, to attract new businesses, Hungary has made the process of starting a business very straightforward and is offering many perks to potential business owners, like a corporate tax of only 9%, which is the lowest rate in the whole of Europe.
28 April 2026
If you're an EU/EFTA national, you don't need a residence permit to stay and work in Hungary, though you must obtain a registration card/certificate if staying longer than 90 days. All you need to do is register yourself at the regional office of the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing. For third-country nationals, there are different types of residence permits depending on your situation, i.e., the reason you want to immigrate to Hungary. See below what applies in your particular case.
28 April 2026
As a member of the EU/EFTA and the Schengen area, and as a holder of visa waiver agreements with 30 countries worldwide (consult our section on Travelling to Hungary), you can enter Hungary without a visa for a short-term stay. Immediately afterwards, however, you must apply for a residence permit if you wish to continue your stay in the country. As from late 2026, non-EU visa-exempt travellers will also need an ETIAS travel authorisation before entering the Schengen area.
28 April 2026
Hungary has an extensive domestic transportation network that covers the whole country. No matter where you are, you can easily find access to buses, trains or both. At the same time, travel websites and mobile apps make the process of finding tickets and checking the time-schedules a breeze. Here's how you can make the most of it
28 April 2026
If you're living in Hungary, you are subject to paying taxes in the country for all the income you may have earned during the tax year, both in Hungary and abroad. The good news is that the tax rates in Hungary are particularly low in contrast to other countries, especially when it comes to businesses.
28 April 2026
Hungary has been called The Crossroads of Europe, and it is definitely a central and cosmopolitan destination, both culturally and geographically. With prestigious higher education establishments, many university towns and exciting opportunities for scholarships, Hungary can be a great choice for furthering your studies.
28 April 2026
Although relocating is always hard, moving to Hungary has an unexpected advantage: many top quality relocation companies are actually headquartered in Budapest and have a long tradition of helping expats move and settle in their new country and home.
28 April 2026
If you are a pet owner, then perhaps one of the most stressful parts of expatriation is figuring out if, and how, you can bring your pet along to your new home. As a member state of the EU, Hungary has its regulations harmonized with the rest of the Union when it comes to pets. If you follow the below rules and regulations carefully, you will avoid having your pet quarantined or even denied entry to the country.
28 April 2026
Hungary may be a small country, but its abundance of culture, history and natural offerings is bound to impress you. There are no fewer than 8 UNESCO World Heritage sites spread across the country, from cultural and historical landmarks to marvels of nature. And with Hungary's capital city, Budapest, being a vibrant and fascinating metropolis, there's always something going on. This means your leisure time in Hungary is going to be well spent.
28 April 2026
Hungary's healthcare system has many advantages. It is easy to get into the system (happens automatically once you start working for a Hungarian company) and the amount of money you actually have to contribute from your net salary is very little, making public healthcare quite affordable. On the flip side, the quality of services can vary greatly depending on which city you're currently in, and the fact that there are not enough doctors means you should be prepared for significant delays.
28 April 2026
Hungary is located in eastern Central Europe, making it very easy to access from all directions. The country shares its borders with Slovakia, Ukraine, Austria, Romania, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia. You can easily reach it by plane, train, bus, or car, and since Hungary is both a member of the EU and the Schengen area 鈥 meaning it now has open land borders with all its neighbors except Ukraine and Serbia 鈥, most expats won't need a visa to visit Hungary. The country also has visa waiver agreements with over sixty countries, but you are advised to check with the Hungarian embassy or consulate in your home country to see what applies in your case.
28 April 2026
As Hungary is an EU member, it adheres to the EU premise that all citizens should be entitled to equal childcare and benefits, regardless of their nationality. So if you have all your papers in order (residence permit for third-country nationals, a registration certificate for EU/EFTA nationals, and your address card called 鈥渓akc铆mk谩rtya鈥 with a local tax ID) and have been employed in Hungary, you are entitled to all the family and childcare benefits provided by the state to new parents.
28 April 2026
As a member of the EU/EFTA, Hungary supports the free movement of goods within the EU/EFTA area. There are no customs when it comes to importing or exporting goods from Hungary to another EU/EFTA country and vice versa, but if you're coming from a third country, certain restrictions and permissions may apply. Also, the method of transportation with which you travelled to Hungary (plane versus train, car or bus) affects the value of the goods you are allowed to carry.
28 April 2026
Hungary has an extensive road network, a large portion of which has recently been updated to improve traffic flow. The legal driving age is 17 years old, and the vehicles keep to the right-hand traffic. Expats coming to the country with a non-Hungarian driver's licence will not encounter any problems: if you are an EU/EFTA national, you can easily exchange your licence for a Hungarian one. Third-country nationals can also exchange their driver's licence, but additional fees and paperwork will apply. Alternatively, you can apply for a new Hungarian driver's licence after six months of proven residence in the country.
28 April 2026
As is the case with most Eastern European countries, accommodation in Hungary is relatively affordable compared to Central and Western Europe. However, prices have risen significantly over the past few years due to a combination of significant inflation and across-the-board price increases in the housing market. Being home to so many students, both locals and expats, Hungary offers many accommodation options, including private dormitories and shared flats. In 2026, the market is very competitive, leaving tenants with little room to negotiate rates.
28 April 2026
Hungary may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of an ideal digital nomad destination. With nomadism typically associated with tropical weather, sandy beaches and hammocks swinging between palm trees, Hungary seems out of place amidst exotic locations and "islandlife" hashtags. And yet, the country's capital, Budapest, had topped the list for digital nomad destinations for several years in a row.
28 April 2026
A beautiful bridge between West and East Europe, Hungary's idyllic scenery is dotted with spectacular history and remarkable landmarks, with the capital city of Budapest known as one of the hottest destinations for digital nomads and expats. The country has a wealth of natural hot springs, renowned for their healing and restorative ability, as well as developed urban areas with an affordable cost of living. Here's everything you need to know about Hungary.
28 April 2026
Staying connected to your loved ones back home is very important to an expat. Thankfully, connectivity in Hungary will definitely be no issue: the country has an extensive cellular network and consistently ranks among the top 20 globally for fixed broadband speeds, with average download speeds exceeding 300 Mbps. Most people choose to combine their TV, phone and internet into a package from a single provider. Before choosing one, however, make sure to check offers, pricing, and availability, as the market can be quite competitive depending on where you are located in the country.
28 April 2026
Opening a bank account in Hungary as an expat is an easy and fast process. Hungarian banks have robust online and digital banking options and reliable English-language services to make things straightforward. Here's everything you need to know.
28 April 2026