Frequently Asked Questions about Hungary

Will I need a car?
Hungary has a great public transportation network that connects all areas of the country. While cars are convenient when travelling outside of the larger cities they are not absolutely necessary. In larger cities like Budapest, it is best to use public transportation as the quality of the roads is not always up to the standards Western Europeans and North Americans would be used to, and there is a fair amount of traffic congestion during peak hours.

How bad is the weather in winter?
Like most of Europe it can get quite cold in Hungary during winter. However, most residents and Hungarians enjoy skiing and a whole range of winter sports during the cold season. There are also a number of spas and resorts with natural hot springs that residents in Hungary can enjoy all year round.

Is it easy to buy a house in Hungary?
The property market in Hungary has taken off in recent years and many investors from Western Europe have chosen to buy property in cities like Budapest. Buying property isn’t difficult but there are a number of steps that need to be followed. Buyers need to apply for a ‘permit as a private person’ (250 Euro) from the local authorities or they can establish a local company in order to purchase property. There are many advantages to buying property as a company in Hungary, but it will require the help of a lawyers firm. Individuals buying property will need to appoint a Hungarian legal representative and pay an initial 1 000 to 2 000 Euro deposit and then simply sign a purchase-sale agreement. There are various taxes that will need to be paid, but in general the purchase of property, as an individual, in Hungary is relatively easy.

Will I have access to English language media?
The larger cities in Hungary have a wealth of English language newspapers and magazines for expats available at news kiosks around the city. Many of the larger hotels also stock well-known weekly and monthly international newspapers, such as the International Herald Tribune, the Guardian International, the Financial Times and the European version of the Wall Street Journal. In Budapest some of the popular English resources include the monthly ‘Budapest Panorama’ and ‘Where Budapest’, which will keep you current on what’s happening in and around the city. Hallo Wien/ Hallo Budapest is a quarterly magazine for businesspeople. There are two weekly English-language newspapers, the Budapest Sun and the Budapest Business Journal. Another English-language paper in Budapest is the Budapest Times. The All Hungary Media Group is a great online resource.