• Hungary
• Moving to
• Living in
• Leaving
• Resources
• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Ireland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• United Kingdom

Moving to : Hungary

There are a number of things you will need to research or do before moving to Hungary, these include:

• Local Culture 
• Residence Permits/Visa Requirements/Fees 
• How to search for work if you do not already have a job 
• The importance of your Contract of Employment 
• Self Employed? Starting a new business 
• Studying in Hungary 
• School/Childcare - admissions, childcare, registration 
• Retiring to Hungary 
• Accommodation, property search 
• Removal Companies and Personal Effects 
• Public Healthcare 
• Registering with a Doctor/Dentist 
• Medication 
• Private Medical Insurance, Healthcare and Hospitals 
• Banking 
• Setting up TV, Telephone and Internet 
• Registering for a mobile phone 
• Taking your car 
• Moving your pets 
• Make sure your passport is valid 
• Tickets for your move, hotel bookings and car rental 
• UK Voter Registration 
• Final Checklists 
• Final Notifications 

Hungarian culture is defined in many ways. From the twin cities of Buda and Pest on the Danube to their pride in their inventions which include the match and ballpoint pen. Clicking on the links below will help you understand the country and its unique appeal.

Filolog - A Cross Cultural Perspective
Hunmagyar - Culture and History
Wikipedia - Culture of Hungary
Every Culture - Hungary

Each area of Hungary will also have its own history and culture. Don't forget to run a search specifically on the area of Hungary you are looking at moving to. We recommend Google for all searches and the easiest way of searching for local culture is to put "culture" + the area of Hungary you are investigating.

As an EU national you do not need a work permit to work in Hungary. However it is always best to be prepared, and have employment set up before you go. You are able to enter the country as a tourist and to look for a job once you arrive.

As an EU Citizen, you are entitled to stay freely in Hungary and work for 3 months.  If you plan on staying longer than this, you must apply for a residence permit.  Most employers will expect to pay your salary into a bank account, however you are unable to open a bank account without your residence permit.  So if you know you will be working there, it's advisable to sort residency out as early as possible.

More information can be found on this in our "living in..." Registering your arrival in the Country.

There are a number of websites which focus on job searches in Hungary.  The following are a few, however we can not take personal liability for any of their content or claims.

Jobs Abroad
4ICJ
Job Centre Plus
Executives on the Web
Tip Top Jobs

The Hungarian Public Employment Service is called Állami Foglalkoztatási Szolgálat (ÁFSZ) and information can be found on this website in English.

Állami Foglalkoztatási Szolgálat (ÁFSZ)

You will need your employment contract in order to apply for full residency, your social security number (TAJ Card) and anything else that requires proof of income or a credit agreement. Your employer should apply for a TAJ Card number on your behalf. 

If you do not have an employment contract you will be working illegally and could be sent home.

More information can be found about this on our "living in..." Tax registration with the authorities).

If you are planning on going to Hungary and starting your own business, this site may be of use to you: Doing Business

These links will also be of use:

Magyarorszag - Private Entrepreneurial Card
Magyarorszag - Private Undertakings
Magyarorszag - Subsidies to promote employment

If you're going to study in Hungary, you will need information regarding courses.

International Graduate - Hungary
Prospects - Postgraduate study
Open University - Business School in Hungary

You will need to register with your local authority for a childcare place as it their responsiblity to find your child a place.  Like most countries, places are limited and early application is advisable.  Information regarding childcare for preschool children can be found here:

Magyarorszag - Kindergarten Admission
Magyarorszag - Infant Nursery Care
Magyarorszag - Family Day-Care
Magyarorszag - Charges

The rules for compulsory schooling are simple. Children are expected to start school at the age of 6. One of the biggest decisions you need to make will be "Do I want my children educated in English, at an International school, or in a Hungarian school?" These sites may help you with this decision.

Ministry of Education and Culture
Euro Education - Hungary
International Schools - British School (list on top left gives all other International Schools)

If you are considering retiring to Hungary, then the following sites should be useful:

Direct Gov - Preparing to move or retire abroad 
Foreign & Commonwealth Office - Moving Abroad 

The decision regarding whether to purchase or rent a property in Hungary can be difficult. If you are looking to buy, then these links will help.

Sunshine Estates - Buying Property
Property Abroad - Buying in Hungary
Sovereign Publications - Hungary for Success
Ingatlan - Real Estate Database
Right Move - Property Website
World of Property - Information about Country

Rental can be harder as most real estate agencies focus on short term/holiday rentals, however it is not impossible. You will usually be expected to pay a deposit and a months' rent in advance and property search for rentals is usually easier in autumn and winter as during the summer months the shorter lease periods are more appealing to landlords.

Alberlet - Rentals
Hive Real Estate - Rental
Budapest Lets - Long Term Rentals

When shipping your personal (household) effects within the EU, they are not subject to normal customs formalities or restrictions.

Please check our Resources section to see if there is any further information on English speaking removal companies.

The Form E111 is no longer valid. You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Hungarian nationals.

NHS Guide  
Foreign & Commonwealth Office - Travel Insurance

Many Doctors and Dentists are English speaking, especially in the more commercial areas of Hungary. You have a free choice of general practitioner, paediatrician and several specialists within your area, providing your choice does not bring the doctor's/dentist's list above the maximum patients permitted. For an English speaking Doctor, ask around - other Brits in the neighbourhood can help as well as many of the locals.

Before taking any medication into Hungary make sure that you check that it is legal to do so. Interestingly 63% of Britons didn’t know that some medication in the UK e.g. alcohol based prescription drugs and painkillers such as codeine are illegal in some countries. In Japan for instance, the Vicks inhaler and Sudafed are illegal!

Private medical insurance is a personal choice. Although not necessary as the public healthcare in Hungary is adequate, it can act as a security blanket if something goes seriously wrong.

Please check our Resources section to see if there is any further information on additional medical insurance, general private heathcare and private hospitals.

Opening a bank account can be a challenge! Hopefully, these sites should give you the information you need.

Budapest Banks - How to open an account  (scroll down the page past the pictures)
Filolog - Banking

Note, you will need your valid residence card to open a bank account and most companies will expect to pay your salary direct into your account.  Although as an EU citizen you are able to work in Hungary for up to 90 days without a residence permit, you may now start to see the catch 22 and see why getting that permit from day one is advisable.

Many companies take a while to set these up, so once you know where you will be living, you might want to contact these companies in advance, so you are able to have connection from the day you move in.  Some of the Hungarian websites have an English interface too, so it's worth having a look around.

Hungarian Internet Providers
T-Online - Internet, TV, Telephone  
UPC - Internet, TV, Telephone
European Television Guild

Like in most countries, Cable and Satelite companies can offer the full range of TV, Telephone and Internet services.  So it's worth doing your research.  Talk to neighbours etc about local availability and what they suggest.  You don't need to worry about getting a seperate TV licence as the cost for this is automatically added to your taxes.

Please check our Resources section to see if there are any alternatives.

There are three main mobile phone operators.  As always, do your research and look for the best deal for you.

Vodafone
T-Mobile
Pannon

All the above websites are in English.  To get a mobile phone contract, you will have to prove both residency and that you have an income eg, your contract of employment.

As for your UK mobile. Our guess is that you will be returning to the UK from time to time and may want a low cost way for people to contact you when you are there. So why not cancel your contract, but switch to a "Pay as you go"? This is a number that most of your friends/family will already have, so record your voicemail explaining that this phone is now only on when you are in the UK, and tell them how to contact you when you're not. Be careful when choosing your PAYG plan as some expect you to use your phone every few weeks to keep it active.

Deciding whether to take your car or not is something you will need to think about. What is "right" varies from person to person. For example, for my first move, I took my UK car with me for the first 6 months only. This gave me the security blanket when I wasn't sure if I would stay. Had I returned to the UK, I wouldn't have then had to look for a new car. Having decided to stay, I returned my UK car to the UK, and bought a local one. Just make sure that if you decide to take your own car, your insurance covers you properly with a "permanent green card"!  It is also possible to insure a foreign registered car in Hungary.  You are best to search for insurance companies who can help you do this.

Don't forget you must also notify the DVLA if you plan to take your car out of the UK either temporarily or permanently. 

Direct Gov - Taking your car abroad

Importing a car to Hungary can work out very expensive.  Although used cars are exempt from duty they must still pay a registration tax which can be quite hefty.

Magyarorszag - Importing from a Member State

No one wants to leave their other family members behind, so take them with you! Also, please don't forget to consider they may need their own Residency permits once in Hungary.

DEFRA - Qualifying Countries for the PETS Scheme
DEFRA - Preparing your pet for travel (cats, dogs & ferrets)
DEFRA - Preparing your pet for travel (rabits and rodents)
Magyarorszag - Passport for Pets

Make sure you have a valid passport. You do not need a minimum period of validity; however it must remain valid for the duration of your stay.

UK Passport Office - UK Passport Information

When moving you need to set a date to do so. Once you have this date, you need to consider your flights or travel arrangements. Investigate cheap flights or travel. There is no need to spend a fortune getting there when there are many cheap options available. The following site details the list of low cost airlines flying to Hungary:

Attitude Travel - Guide to Cheap Airline Carriers

If you have not arranged somewhere to live, make sure you have accommodation until you do. Book yourself a hotel. In addition, you may be going to sign contracts for your accommodation. This does not mean you can stay there on the first night! This may not be possible. So make sure you know exactly what your plans are and make arrangements that take these into consideration.

Where car hire is concerned do your research. Different companies offer different deals at different times.

Please check our Resources section to see if there more information on car hire and deals.

Don't Lose Your Vote!

If you are 18 and over, and were previously registered to vote in the UK within the last 15 years, you can apply to register again as an overseas voter.

Overseas Voting