Hungary is located in the heart of Europe. It offers excellent infrastructure, temperate climate, with good public safety and low living costs for anyone planning to move here. It is a member of the European Union, which grants great business and travel opportunities to anyone living and working in Hungary.
Moving to Hungary
Immigration to Hungary is straightforward and simple. If you are a citizen of an EU member state, you only need a registration card. If you are a citizen of a third country, you will need some basis for receiving a Hungarian residence permit. For example, you can register your very own Hungarian company in just a few days, and receive a residence permit based on your company operation. You can also find employment in Hungary and apply for residency based on that. In either case, your family members (spouse and underage children) can also receive residency in the “family unification” procedure.
You might also want to examine Hungarian citizenship procedures. Regularly you can become a Hungarian citizen after 8 years of residency in Hungary, but if your parents or other ancestors were citizens, you can go for the “simplified naturalization” procedure, where, after submitting all necessary documents, you only have to attend a brief meeting with the Hungarian consul (in Hungarian) to become a citizen of Hungary within less than a year.
Living in Hungary
Hungary is in the middle of Europe, right between east and west. This means you get the infrastructure and living standards expected in western European countries but for the fraction of western prices.
Hungary is accessible through the international airport in Budapest with connections to most European capitals and can be reached within just a few hours, even with budget airlines. Hungary is also connected to the extensive European road and railway network, which all make travel within Europe and in Hungary fast and convenient. Public transport within and between cities makes going your way simple and cost-effective even if you don’t have a car of your own.
Whether you live in the city center, in the suburbs, or even in one of the neighboring villages, you will always be able to reach the city still within a reasonable time. You can rent a home furnished or without furniture. You may also decide to buy a home – there are no restrictions on real estate purchase by any nationalities.
The tax funded, universal social security system makes healthcare in Hungary free in cases of emergency even for expats. If you are a resident paying the social contribution, you will receive basic services free of charge. However, paid medical services offer quicker and more convenient treatment options, and even locals often opt for an additional insurance.
There are international schools with teaching languages other than Hungarian (mostly English), especially in the capital, Budapest, if you want to move to Hungary with your children, but most of them ask for a tuition-fee. Still, some of them are actually state-funded – while in most public schools your child will have to learn Hungarian quickly. Higher education offers more courses in English, as Hungarian universities are quite popular among foreign students, especially in the medical, veterinarian, and business fields.
Working in Hungary
There are various multinational companies operating in Hungary, which means you will probably be able to find employment even if you do not speak Hungarian. Skill and expertise are always sought after, and obtaining the Hungarian work permit is just a matter of 70 days once you already have a valid job offer. In Hungary, it is customary to agree on a gross salary, so make sure you consider the net salary as well (the salary you receive after taxes are deducted) to make sure you will be able to finance your stay in Hungary.
Be aware that in Hungary, just like in most places around Europe, the standard working time is 40 hours a week Monday through Friday, with 8 hours a day, typically 8 am to 4 pm (or 9 am to 5 pm). Naturally, this might vary based on the field of business: shops, restaurants and bars are typically open late into the evening and over the weekend.
Hungary in a nutshell
Hungary offers western European living standards for significantly lower living costs. The advanced infrastructure includes options for public transportation, healthcare and education, while public safety is great, and the rights of workers are protected. You can easily become a resident through setting up a company or entering employment, and you can even apply for citizenship after a few years, or right now if your ancestors were citizens.
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