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Hungary: Affordable Cost of Living in the Heart of Europe

21.12.2021
Homesoverseas.ru editorial office
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Today Hungary is one of the European countries with the most lenient rules for foreigners to enter and obtain a residence permit; there are practically no restrictions on the purchase of real estate, and living costs are lower than in other EU states.
Excellent ecology, temperate climate and, of course, world-famous thermal springs create favorable living conditions in the country. Despite the fact that Hungary has no access to the sea, the country abounds in water resources, and Budapest is considered the European spa capital with different types of mineral water. At the same time, balneological resorts are located all over the country - no wonder the locals call Hungary a resort country. But it's not just the healing water and mud, according to them, life is so predictable here that even in a pandemic situation, people feel relatively calm.

For foreign citizens, Hungary today is most interesting for its accessibility both in terms of the cost of living and the absence of strict legal barriers for visitors.

Cost of living in Hungary

Open country of the European Union

Hungary is a small country in Eastern Europe with a population of 10 million people. It is part of the European Union and the Schengen area.

The official language – Hungarian – is quite difficult to master. And although many locals speak English, knowledge of Hungarian will still be needed to live here. There are a lot of immigrants from the former USSR in the country, so Russian-speaking residents can be found everywhere.

You can fly from Moscow to Budapest in less than 3 hours by plane. But most importantly, there are no strict covid restrictions. Currently, only the presence of a negative PCR test in English or Hungarian is sufficient to enter Hungary. Those who are vaccinated, including the Russian V Satellite, can visit the country without passing PCR tests and observing quarantine. AstraZeneca, Moderna, Sinopharm, Pfizer, and other vaccines are also recognized in the state.

During the Christmas fairs, which are held in Hungary in December, tourists from various countries come to the country - the British, Spaniards, Israelis, Russians. Despite the pandemic, fairs are open here, and festive entertainment is much cheaper than the average in Europe. 

The official monetary unit is the Hungarian forint, the exchange rate of which is 363 forints for 1 euro or almost 4.5 forints for 1 ruble.

Prices in Hungary are considered lower than in the European Union as a whole. The average earnings are also low – 250 000-400 000 forints or about 700-1100 euros per month. But this is quite enough for high-quality food, utility bills, entertainment and other expenses. At the same time, according to local residents, many Hungarians can afford to make savings. Money is usually set aside for travel and recreation or for the purchase of expensive goods, such as large household appliances, cars, real estate.

Mandatory expenses are insignificant

Hungary is conditionally divided into western and eastern parts. The West is considered more expensive and popular among tourists than the east. However, in the eastern part of the country, it is quite possible to find comfortable regions for living, such as Debrecen, Hajdusoboslo and others.

Utility costs vary depending on the region, square footage, type of housing. The minimum payment for a small apartment is 30 euros per month and can reach several hundred. This amount includes only fixed expenses, such as cleaning the entrance, garbage collection, deductions for capital repairs and more. For the consumption of electricity, water, gas, you need to pay extra, taking into account the meter readings.

In general, utility bills of a resident of Budapest range from 60 to 150 euros per month. In prestigious areas in the center of the capital, such costs will be higher - 100-160 euros per month, this cost includes all payments, including Internet. Utility costs for a private house average 250 euros per month.

A Hungarian resident pays about 25-28 euros per month for mobile communication and can use the connection without roaming, being in any EU country, as well as in Turkey.

It has become easier to rent a good house

Now, according to real estate experts, due to the reduction in tourist traffic compared to 2019, it is much easier to find a good apartment in Hungary for a long time, and prices are more attractive.

In the whole country, the cost of renting a one-room apartment varies from 200 to 500 euros. In Debrecen, you can find a small apartment for 250 euros. In the western part of Hungary, near Lake Balaton, it will be more expensive to rent a house.

In the center of Budapest, renting a studio apartment costs about 450 euros per month. For example, in the trendy Goju district on Kiraly Street, an apartment with an area of 35 sq.m. m will cost 440 euros, and on the neighboring Dohany street a more spacious apartment of 40 sq.m.m can be rented for about 420 euros.

The further away from the center, the cheaper the housing will cost. So, on the outskirts of the capital, there is an opportunity to find a one-room apartment for 300 euros. Utilities should also be added to the rental price. 

Maintenance costs of real estate in Hungary

Public transport is an alternative to a car

Budapest has well-developed transport links. The public transport system – metro, buses, trams, funiculars, commuter trains – is convenient and works like clockwork. In the smartphone app, you can find out exactly to the minute when the transport will arrive, and there are many options to get from one point to another. In general, the road takes a little time – from remote areas to the center it takes about half an hour. More time can be spent on the way from Pest to Buda. These are two parts of Budapest, separated by the Danube, which were different settlements until the end of the XIX century. Now they are connected by bridges, and if you drive by car, you can get into traffic here during rush hour.

One-way public transport costs less than 1 euro. A monthly subscription for all types of transport will cost 26 euros.

A taxi ride from the airport to the city center will cost about 19 euros. The same way can be done by public transport, which will cost seven times cheaper - 2.5 euros - the price of a bus ticket to the airport.

Gasoline in Hungary costs a little more than 1 euro per liter. However, it is not always convenient to drive a car if we are talking about the capital center. The problem is the high prices for parking and the difficulty of finding it. If you rent an underground garage in an office assignment in the city center, you will have to pay about 120 euros per month. In residential buildings, such a parking space will cost a little cheaper - 100 euros. You can leave your car free of charge in the usual ground parking in the area of your residence, if you get the appropriate permission from the municipality. 

Locally produced products at modest prices

The Hungarian's food basket depends on his standard of living, while its average cost is low.

The cost of meat, and pork is popular here, starts from 4 euros per kilogram, chicken will cost 3-6 euros depending on the conditions of its cultivation. For 1 kilogram of fish, you need to pay about 6-10 euros.

Prices in Hungarian chain stores are approximately the same throughout the country. Bread costs less than 1 euro, small buns are often bought here. A one and a half liter bottle of drinking water will cost about 30 cents, milk - from 60 to 90 cents, a dozen eggs - 1 euro.

Traditional Hungarian cuisine is characterized by fatty, spicy dishes with lots of onions and peppers. Hungary is known for a wide variety of meat dishes, various smoked meats and sausages. Local food often combines the properties of rich soup and meat in vegetable sauce, such as the famous goulash thick meat soup, or halasli fish soup with Hungarian red pepper. Lunch with such dishes in a tourist place in Budapest will cost 8-10 euros. Coffee or tea in the capital's coffee shops costs 1-3 euros.

It should be noted that traditional Hungarian cuisine has recently become more popular among tourists. Locals, especially in large cities, try to eat low-calorie food with lots of vegetables and fruits. 

Office workers go to cafes and restaurants for lunch. As in many countries, business lunches are popular here, which usually include a light vegetable soup, tomato or onion, meat or fish with vegetables or rice, as well as a drink and dessert, usually strudel. In the office centers of Budapest, such a lunch will cost 3-4 euros.

For dinner in Hungary, they like to drink a glass of wine, especially since the wines here are of high quality and inexpensive. The country has long developed a wine culture, a variety of wines are produced from both local and international varieties. Hungarian wine gained its fame thanks to dessert wines from the Tokai region, as well as red wines from the Eger wine-growing area. The cost of wine in supermarkets starts from 2 euros per bottle. Dry wine of good quality can be bought for 4-10 euros.

Food prices in Hungary

Useful andcheap vacation

Hungary's convenient geographical location allows locals to easily get to different parts of Europe. It is not surprising that Hungarians like to travel around the European Union, although they have a place to relax inside the country. The season in Hungarian resorts starts in May and lasts until the end of October. Many people can afford a trip to lakes and thermal springs. You can spend time even at popular resorts such as Balaton or Heviz inexpensively. For example, a comfortable apartment for a family of four people will cost about 50 euros per day. This, as a rule, is cheaper than a similar level of hotels. Locals can go on such a vacation several times a year without going on an annual vacation. Hungarians often use the so-called long holidays - 3-4 days, when the holiday is adjacent to the weekend. 

Local pensioners prefer to relax at the springs in spa centers, where pools with different temperatures and water mineralization are located on a huge territory. A day of rest in such a complex costs from 14-19 euros.

On weekdays, Hungarian residents have time to walk in the park or go to the cinema. A ticket for the session will be inexpensive, the price depends on the day of the week and ranges from 3 to 5 euros. A ticket for a family of four will cost 12 euros.

Hungarians pay attention to a healthy lifestyle, watch their figure and play sports. The love of water is evident among the locals and here – water sports are well developed in this country. Swimming and water polo are especially popular.

Many residents of the capital and other large cities visit fintes centers after work. The cost of a subscriber here is from 30 euros per month. But in good weather, Hungarians prefer to do sports in the fresh air. Most parks have outdoor fitness areas. Fortunately, the climatic conditions allow you to train here for about 8 months a year.

It is beneficial to be a resident of Hungary

Hungarian permanent residence gives the right to free medical care and education, as well as to receive a pension. At the same time, it is easier to become a resident here than in many other EU countries.

The costs of medical care are borne by the health insurance fund. Contributions to it for employed residents of the country are paid by the employer. Those who do not work pay for state health insurance on their own. Its size is small and amounts to 16-22 euros per month.

State insurance does not apply to non-residents. They need to buy an insurance policy from a private company. Its cost will depend on a number of factors - age, risk group, insurance coverage and others. On average, these costs amount to about 50 euros per month.

As for education, in Hungary, along with private kindergartens and schools, there are many public educational institutions. In them, training for residents is free. You can study at the expense of the state budget at a university if you have permanent residence and even a residence permit.

Hungary is very popular as a country where it is comfortable to spend a pension. Treatment, resorts, travel – all this is affordable and convenient. In order for a foreigner to have the right to transfer a pension here, he needs to get permanent residence. The amount of the pension depends on the length of service and averages 350-450 euros.

It is advantageous for elderly people from countries with a low level of pension provision to retire to Hungary. Of course, this requires certain savings, as well as the opportunity to buy residential real estate here.

 

Oksana Scan

Thank you for your help in preparing the material:

Margarita Kwakowski, Budapest Home

Ilona Chick, Perfect Invest

 

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