How long does it take to settle in Budapest?

Most expats feel comfortable within 2–4 weeks. The first week is admin-heavy (address registration, bank account, phone). By week 2–3 you’ll have your apartment, know your neighborhood, and start attending expat events. The language barrier is the main ongoing challenge.

What should I do about my existing phone plan?

Get a local Hungarian SIM card immediately (€5–10 from Telekom, Vodafone, or Yettel). Unlimited data plans cost €10–20/month. Keep your home country number on a secondary phone or eSIM for banking authentication.

Is the Eviction Statement notary visit required?

Most landlords require it. It’s a notarized document (€50–100) that’s standard Hungarian practice. It gives the landlord recourse if you refuse to vacate after the lease ends. It’s not a red flag — budget for it as part of your move-in costs.

Expat Topics

D7, digital nomad, golden visa & more

💰

Cost of Living

Monthly budgets from €1,200 to €4,000+

🏥

Healthcare

Public, private & expat health insurance

🏠

Housing

Rent prices, best areas & lease tips

💼

Work & Business

Permits, remote work & freelancing rules

✈️

Moving Guide

Step-by-step relocation checklist

📚

Education

International schools & universities

🌆

Daily Life

Transport, food & expat communities

🌅

Lifestyle

Climate, culture & quality of living

📈

Investing

Property, stocks, tax & wealth building

View all resources →

Rankings Compare Blog

✈️

🇭🇺 Hungary

Moving Guide

Moving to Hungary is straightforward. The White Card can be applied for at a consulate or online.

Within 30 days

Address Registration

At local government office

1–2 weeks

Bank Account

OTP or K&H recommended

From €5

SIM Card

Telekom, Vodafone, or Yettel

1–2 weeks

Internet Setup

100+ Mbps fiber available

Last updated: March 2026

Overview🏛️Budapest 🏫Debrecen ☀️Szeged

🛂Visa 🏥Healthcare 💰Finance 🏠Housing 💼Working 🌆Daily Life ✈️Moving 📚Education 🌅Lifestyle 📈Investing

Overview

Moving to Hungary is straightforward. The White Card can be applied for at a consulate or online. Furnished apartments are the norm. Budapest has excellent infrastructure and a supportive expat community to ease the transition.

Key Takeaways

Apply for visa/permit — White Card via consulate or Enter Hungary online portal
Register address at local district government office (within 30 days)
Furnished apartments are standard — shipping a few boxes usually sufficient
Hungarians are warm but initially reserved — friendship takes time and repeated social contact

Before You Arrive

Essential preparation before moving to Hungary. The White Card can be applied for at a Hungarian consulate or online via the Enter Hungary portal.

Apply for visa/permit — White Card via consulate or Enter Hungary online portal
Arrange health insurance with minimum €30,000 coverage
Secure accommodation for at least the first month — Airbnb for initial apartment hunting
Get documents apostilled/translated — birth certificate, degree, marriage certificate
Notify your bank about international use and set up Wise/Revolut
Join Budapest Expats Facebook group (50,000+ members) for real-time advice

First Week Checklist

Essential tasks to complete in your first week in Hungary. Address registration must happen within 30 days of arrival.

Register address at local district government office (within 30 days)
Open Hungarian bank account — OTP or K&H Bank recommended
Get Hungarian phone number — Telekom, Vodafone, or Yettel (SIM cards from €5)
Apply for TAJ number (social security) if employed or self-employed
Register with local doctor (háziorvos) for public healthcare access
Get BKK transport monthly pass (€25) at any metro station
Explore neighborhood markets, shops, and your nearest thermal bath

Shipping & Utilities Setup

Furnished apartments are the norm, so most expats ship only a few boxes. Internet installation takes 1–2 weeks with 100+ Mbps fiber widely available.

Furnished apartments are standard — shipping a few boxes usually sufficient
Shipping to Budapest: €1,500–€3,000 (small container, Western Europe); €3,000–€6,000 (from US)
No special import restrictions for personal belongings
Electronics: 230V/50Hz, EU plugs (Type C and F)
Internet ISPs: Telekom (most coverage), Vodafone, Digi (cheapest) — all 100+ Mbps fiber
District heating (távfűtés) is cheapest; gas heating gives more control but costs more

Adapting to Hungarian Life

Cultural tips for settling into Hungarian daily life. Hungarians are warm but initially reserved — friendship takes time.

Hungarians are warm but initially reserved — friendship takes time and repeated social contact
Name days are celebrated as much as birthdays — know your Hungarian friends’ name days
Tipping: 10–15% at restaurants — tell the waiter the total when paying, don’t leave on table
Shop hours: close early on weekends — Saturday by 14:00, closed Sunday (except malls)
Thermal baths are a social institution — go weekly; Széchenyi is the classic starting point
Key phrases: ‘köszönöm’ (thank you), ‘szia’ (hi/bye), ‘bocsánat’ (sorry)

FAQs