Moving to Budapest – International Relocation

Moving to Budapest

Expats moving to Budapest may very well expect an authentic post-communist experience, and considering that the city emerged from behind the wall of the Iron Curtain a mere two decades ago, such an expectation seems well-warranted.

For the most part though and much to the surprise of many foreigners, Budapest has shed its socialist past and has recaptured much of the cosmopolitanism spirit that it had in the first half of the 20th century. Not to mention, foreign companies have helped bolster the economy by locating regional headquarters and shared service centres to the city, and a thriving international community now exists.

Transport in Budapest

Still, for curious and adventurous types, remnants of the 40-year Soviet-influenced regime can be found if one scratches beneath the surface.

Most importantly though, expats moving to Budapest will find themselves in the centre of Hungarian life and culture, and in a destination that’s both the gateway to Eastern Europe and the Balkans (for western expats) and the entry point to the West (for eastern expats).

Please take advantage of our visa and immigration services to assist you in your move.

Living in Budapest

Choosing a place to live in Budapest, then, becomes a question of preference—bustling, urban, and exotic Pest, or stately, comfortable and considerably quieter Buda. In general, accommodation is easy for expats to find, and is considerably cheaper than housing in high-profile expat destinations.

Housing in Budapest

In fact, the cost of living as a whole is considerably lower than in many of the city’s western European counterparts.

Finding the right home, in the right location, is critical to ensuring your relocating employees satisfaction and them being happy in their new location.

Please use our relocation home finding services.

Healthcare in Budapest

Healthcare in Hungary is financed by the Health Insurance Fund (HIF). Anyone who works in Hungary under a local employment contract is able to make use of free or subsidised medical care in Hungary.

The quality of medical care in Hungary is up to the standards of most western countries. In fact, Hungary is beginning to make its mark as a medical tourism destination.

The health care system is popular with Austrians, who frequently cross over to Hungary to get quality medical care at more affordable prices than those they are used to in their home country. Nonetheless, some expats do choose to take out added health insurance, mainly because it allows them access to hospitals with more English-speaking staff.

To make use of the public healthcare system in Hungary expats will need to be employed by a local company under a local employment contract. The healthcare system is available to those who contribute social security via salary deductions.

Applying for a health insurance card, known as a Társadalomizosítási Azonosító Jet (TAJ) Card at the local health authority in your residential area, is relatively simple once your work permit is in order.

Schooling in Budapest

The official language of educational instruction in Hungary is Magyar (Hungarian), which tends to exclude many expats from enrolling their children in the public education system.

That being said, Budapest has a range of quality International Baccalaureate, British and American curriculum schools in Hungary, all offering English language instruction. Private schools charge an average of US$ 8,000 per term.

The school year runs from September to August, with short breaks in autumn and at Easter and a slightly long break over Christmas. The longest holiday in the school calendar is the summer holiday, which starts in mid June and continues until the end of August.

Please take advantage of our school search services.

The cost of living in Budapest

The cost of living is on a par or just below that of other European countries. The larger cities are more expensive than countryside towns, however a general rule of thumb is that if you buy local you will spend less. That being said, western brands are available and they are not exorbitantly expensive when compared to prices back home.

Expats tend to earn higher salaries than their Hungarian counterparts, which affords expats a better quality of life.

Interdean Budapest offices

We have our own relocation office in Budapest making sure we are with you every step of the way