Everything you need to move to Budapest and thrive.
Residency, company formation, taxes, housing, healthcare, schools and everyday life. The practical, up-to-date guide for entrepreneurs, families and professionals relocating to Hungary.
Independent guide with links to official Hungarian sources. Not legal advice.
Eight guides, from your first week to feeling at home.
Each section walks you through the exact steps, the official offices involved, realistic costs and the mistakes to avoid.
Moving & Residency
EU registration, the all important address card (lakcímkártya), personal ID number and registering your home.
Explore →Starting a Business
Register a Kft in days, the 9% corporate tax, VAT rules, accountants, business banking and legal invoicing.
Explore →Working & Taxes
Tax residency, the 15% flat income tax, social contributions, salaries and the switch from your home country.
Explore →Housing
Where to look, the best districts by lifestyle, realistic rents, deposit rules and the fixed term lease trap.
Explore →Healthcare
The TAJ card and public system, private English speaking clinics, insurance and where to buy medicine safely.
Explore →Family & Education
International schools, the school system, nurseries, children's healthcare and settling in as a family.
Explore →Daily Life & Culture
Cost of living, transport, groceries, learning Hungarian, banking, thermal baths, safety and community.
Explore →Investing & Retiring
The Guest Investor golden visa, retiring in Budapest, pensions and estate planning for long stayers.
Explore →All guides A to Z
Browse every article by topic, or jump straight to the checklist for your first 30 days in Budapest.
Browse →
The Budapest Expat Directory.
Hundreds of vetted providers: English speaking doctors, dentists, hospitals, accountants, international schools, markets, gyms and more. Real addresses on maps, Google and Trustpilot ratings, published prices and the free public route for every service, so nothing surprises you.
Budapest works for very different lives.
Entrepreneurs
Low corporate tax, fast company setup and a growing startup scene make Budapest a serious base for founders and holdings.
Families
International schools, safe central districts, affordable childcare and quality healthcare for a comfortable family life.
Young professionals
Low cost of living, a vibrant social scene and an under 25 income tax break make it ideal to launch a career.
Retirees & long stayers
A calm, walkable capital with thermal baths, good private healthcare and a welcoming expat community.
Start with the essentials.
Get your address card (lakcímkártya)
The single most important document for banking, tax and healthcare, step by step.
Register a Hungarian company (Kft)
From articles of association to your registration warrant, in about a week.
Where to buy medicine (and avoid tourist prices)
How pharmacies work, and how to steer clear of heavily overpriced tourist zone pharmacies.
The best districts to live in Budapest
Buda calm vs Pest buzz: districts I, II, V, VI, VII, XIII and XIV compared by lifestyle.
Get it right with an English speaking lawyer.
Company formation, residency, buying property, tax or a lease dispute, some steps are safer with a specialist. Book a consultation with a vetted, English speaking Hungarian lawyer.
Independent recommendation. Booking a consultation may support this guide at no extra cost to you.