Move to Hungary
Everything a future Hungary settler needs to know. Residency, money, safety — the stuff the tourism board won't put on a poster.
Hungary at a Glance
1BR rent / mo
Democracy index
Path to PR
Homicides / 100k
English level
How to actually stay
Visas, residency, and the paperwork mountain between you and a lease
Visa routes we know about
3 years
to permanent residency
11 years
to citizenship
⚠️ Requires B2+ Hungarian and a constitutional & cultural knowledge exam.
Can your partner work?
Because 'trailing spouse' shouldn't mean 'trailing income'
White Card does not allow family reunification. Dependents must obtain their own residence permit independently.
Source: official guidance
Where to land in Hungary
One city, no paradox of choice
What it costs to exist
Real monthly numbers, not what the expat blog says
$918
priciest 1BR / mo
Rent + food + transport + utilities, averaged across 1 cities. No gym membership, no brunch budget.
How rich is everyone, really
GDP, taxes, and other numbers politicians argue about
$48,552
GDP per capita
9%
Corporate tax
4.5%
Unemployment
3.7%
Inflation
Moderate inequality — some neighborhoods will feel like different countries.
Will the government leave you alone?
Democracy, press freedom, and whether you should use a VPN
6.51/10
🏚️ Flawed democracy
65
/100Freedom House score
#17 of 163
Global Peace Index
#68
Press freedom rank
Is Hungary safe?
Homicide rates and the stats that matter for sleeping at night
Safe enough to stop thinking about it. Standard urban awareness applies.
Can you order coffee?
The language situation, no sugarcoating
Hungarian
Primary language
High
English proficiency (#22 globally)
Most people speak decent English. You can survive without Hungarian, but your landlord will respect you more if you try.
❓ Moving to Hungary — Common Questions
What is the best city to move to in Hungary?▾
Based on our Livability Score, Budapest ranks #1 in Hungary with a score of 74/100. City-centre rent starts around $918/month.
How much does it cost to live in Hungary?▾
City-centre 1-bedroom rent ranges from $918 to $918/month across our 1 tracked cities. Average monthly solo expenses are around $1,549.
How do I get permanent residency in Hungary?▾
The path to permanent residency in Hungary typically takes 3 years. Citizenship is possible after 11 years. Note: Requires B2+ Hungarian and a constitutional & cultural knowledge exam.
Is Hungary a democracy?▾
Hungary scores 6.51/10 on the EIU Democracy Index and is classified as a "Flawed democracy." It ranks #17 of 163 on the Global Peace Index.
Is Hungary safe to live in?▾
The average homicide rate across our tracked cities in Hungary is 0.7 per 100,000 people. That's quite safe by global standards.