Moving to Hungary: Practical Relocation Guide

4th August 2025

Hungary is a popular destination for expats seeking an affordable and well-balanced lifestyle in the heart of Europe. With its low cost of living, high-quality yet inexpensive healthcare and education, a favorable tax system, and visa-free access to the Schengen area, it offers many advantages. However, moving to Hungary can be challenging and time-consuming if you are not well-prepared. This guide covers everything you need to know, from the benefits of living in Hungary to the practical steps of relocation, along with answers to the most common questions.

What are the advantages of moving to Hungary?

According to the Hungarian Central Statistical Office, 255,443 foreign citizens were residing in Hungary in 2025, marking a 74.99% increase over the past decade. It is no surprise that more and more expats are relocating to Hungary, as the country has a lot to offer. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most compelling advantages.

Central European location and connectivity

Hungary is a member of the European Union and lies in the heart of Central Europe. It is a modern, well-connected country with excellent infrastructure. Public transport is efficient and reliable, and Budapest serves as a major international airport hub with direct flights to most global destinations.

Favorable tax system for residents and businesses

As detailed in our article on the Hungarian tax system, Hungary offers one of the most attractive tax environments in Europe. The Hungarian corporate tax rate is just 9%, the lowest in the OECD. Personal income tax is levied at a flat rate of 15%, and while employees contribute 18.5% in social security, employers pay only 13% in social taxes. This means employees receive about 66.5% of their gross salary as net income.

If you would like to learn more about the Hungarian tax system, check out these articles:

• The tax benefits of forming a Hungarian company
• Offshore opportunities in Hungary
• A tax guide for expats and investors
• Rules for tax and company registration numbers
• Crypto taxes in Hungary in 2025: rules, rates, and tips

High-quality and affordable education systems

Hungary’s education system is primarily public, modern, and open to international students. Each year, thousands of foreign students choose Hungary as their destination for higher education. As covered in our guide to the Hungarian education system, tuition fees are remarkably affordable compared to Western European institutions, while the quality of education remains high.

Low cost of living

Although Hungary has recently experienced higher inflation compared to the EU average, the overall cost of living remains significantly lower than in Western Europe or North America. A single person typically spends around 600 to 1,000 EUR per month (excluding housing). For a family of four living in Budapest (capital of the country), monthly costs usually range from 2,000 to 3,000 EUR.

Safe environment

Hungary is known for its strong public safety and low crime rates. According to data from the World Population Review, Hungary ranks as the 15th safest country in the world. Its Global Peace Index score is 1.502, placing it among the most peaceful nations globally.

Visa-free travel in the Schengen area

As a member of the Schengen Area, Hungary grants its residents the freedom to travel without a visa across 29 European countries. This includes:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland

Step-by-step guide for relocating to Hungary

Now that we have covered the advantages of moving to Hungary, let’s look at how the relocation process works. Your options may vary depending on your personal situation, but the steps below will give you a clear overview. Here is what you need to know before making the move.

Find the right visa or residence permit

The first and most important step is understanding your visa or residence requirements. Start by asking yourself: am I a citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA)?

• If you are an EEA citizen, you have the right to live and work in Hungary. However, you are required to register your stay if it exceeds 90 days.
• If you are not a citizen of the EEA, relocating to Hungary is more complex. Let us explore the most common options available to third-country nationals.

Hungarian citizenship

Hungarian citizenship can be acquired through two main routes: naturalization or ancestry.

• Naturalization is a process that typically takes several years and requires a long-term stay in Hungary.
• Citizenship by ancestry is faster and more widely used. By 2019, more than one million people had applied for Hungarian citizenship through the simplified naturalization process based on ancestry. If you have Hungarian roots, this may be your most straightforward path to residency and citizenship.

Hungarian residence permits

If you are not eligible for Hungarian citizenship, the next option is to apply for a residence permit. Hungary issues different types of residence permits based on individual circumstances. The most common types include:

• Residence permit for employment
• Residence permit for guest investors (golden visa)
• Residence permit for guest self-employed persons (business visa through company formation)
• Residence permit for family unification
• Residence permit for research or study
• Residence permit for voluntary and social activities
• Residence permit for medical treatment
• Visa for seasonal workers

Among these options, the Hungarian golden visa or guest investor program is especially attractive to individuals seeking business immigration. This program offers a 10-year residence permit to foreign nationals who meet one of the following criteria:

• Purchase investment units issued by a designated real estate fund registered with the National Bank of Hungary, with a minimum value of 250,000 euros.
• Make a monetary donation of at least 1,000,000 euros to a higher education institution operated by a public-interest asset management foundation.

This program provides a flexible and stable immigration route for investors and entrepreneurs. Since applying for a residence permit can be a complex and time-consuming process that is easy to get wrong, we recommend seeking professional assistance. Our team at Crystal Worldwide can help you with every step to ensure a smooth and successful relocation to Hungary.

Choose a city to live in Hungary

Once the immigration process is complete, the next step is to choose the right city. While Budapest, the capital, is the most popular choice among foreign residents, Hungary has several other modern, welcoming cities with growing expat communities and strong infrastructure.

Here are a few cities to consider:

• Debrecen
• Szeged
• Miskolc
• Pécs
• Győr

If you are considering purchasing property in Hungary, be sure to read the following articles:

• Real estate market in Budapest: trends for 2024-2025
• Real estate investment in Hungary
• Why should you buy an apartment in Budapest?

Settle in and explore the country

After you arrive and take care of the essentials, you can begin settling into your new life in Hungary. There is a lot to explore, from historic towns and local cuisine to peaceful countryside and vibrant city life. Take your time to get to know your surroundings and enjoy everything the country has to offer.

Crystal Worldwide Group: professional assistance for moving to Hungary

Crystal Worldwide Group is an international law firm that specializes in residency by investment, tax planning, and wealth protection. During our more than thirty years in operation, we have managed to earn the respect and trust of our clients by offering professionally sound and lawful immigration solutions, tax savings, and wealth protection, together with fast and timely services provided at the highest level of discretion.

Get in touch with our colleagues!