Living and Working in Budapest, Hungary as an Expat | Expats Everywhere

Charlie is from the UK and has lived and worked in many countries. Today he talks to ExpatsEverywhere about living and working as an expat in Budapest, Hungary. He explains how much money you can make, what kind of lifestyle you can live, safety, how to meet people, the possible language barrier, the rich culture, and more.
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[@Marko-dt2sq]

Hello, does anyone know is there any web site where you can check and buy used stuff in Hungary? Machines for ice cream and etc...

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Great question. We'll pin this comment and hopefully viewers from Hungary can see it and respond. As a quick point of clarification, are you looking for household items or commercial/industrial equipment?

[@Marko-dt2sq]

Im looking for industrial equipment, Exactly machines for gelato and soft ice cream from Carpigiani. Thank you so much!

[@adamfaith2321]

www.jofogas.hu is good for second hand stuff. (Jófogás in Hungarian, sounds like Yo-for-gash in English )

[@magyarbrit5631]

I first visited Hungary in December 1989, as the Russians were moving out. My friends had returned to their home after leaving in 1956. Since then I have visited so many times I lost count and finally moved here in 2005 where I intend to spend the rest of my life. Having travelled far and wide I believe that I have made the best decision I ever made. Although I know Budapest like the back of my hand and really enjoy the city, I am really a country guy at heart and therefore now live in the very north-east corner in among the vineyards of Tokaj. I speak very little Magyar but I get along fine.I should have learned the language when I was younger (I am now 76) when it would have been easier. To me, Hungary is my piece of heaven on earth.

[@-dorkoka2104]

Incredible, köszönjük. És egy kicsit irigykedünk. 🌷

[@mieaab]

How would you say about any Asians especially from Southeast Asia in Hungary?

[@janosmiko7985]

@@mieaab What?

[@yondergirl83]

That was nice to hear. Im hungarian, moved t sydney because of my english boyfriend, and hate it. Lack of culture, expensive, end of word. Maybe this video will make him move to Budapest😍

[@matthewbaumann630]

I live in Canada and I want to move in Hungary. Are there jobs there for English speakers?

[@junacrause8688]

From South Africa...want to move to Hungary

[@brecheezer]

What a great interview! A lot of "living in..." videos are from nomads only living in a country for a month or two, renting an airbnb, not paying taxes or healthcare etc, and therefore are not helpful to people wanting to living long-term in the country. The questions you asked were informative and relevant. Loved that you interviewed someone who has lived there for a number of years and asked about safety, healthcare, visas, recreational opportunities etc. Real day-to-day stuff. Although with safety, as a women I prefer a woman's perspective on this issue. Thank you Charlie for your honest and open answers!

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

We've gotta pin this comment. Thank you for taking the time to not only watch, but to comment in such detail. Our channel and web service is all about trying to provide the very information you just complimented this video about. It's really edifying to our whole staff to hear this feedback. Most all of our interviews that are city/country specific are like this. We use the same set list of questions and ask different follow up questions based on an interviewee's answers. We did start asking about healthcare about 2 years ago because a viewer like you commented and we completely agreed that it was a great question that we should be asking. So some of our older videos you might notice don't have that question. Thank you again and please consider subscribing & telling a friend about our channel. It really helps our overall growth and ability to keep posting this stuff. We post videos weekly on expat travel, expat interviews, as well as expat business and investments. If there's anything you're looking for in particular, let us know and we'll try to source an interview for it. The humbled -ExpatsEverywhere Team

[@brecheezer]

@@ExpatsEverywhere I watch a lot of youtube but don't comment very much unless I truly enjoy it and/or found it valuable. As an expat myself for 8 years in Germany it has been a struggle and I've found it difficult to find helpful online content relevant to my experience and that gets in to the nitty gritty (and often boring) details of moving to another country. As for content, I'd love to see interviews with expats that are self-employed. A lot of expats (and "trailing spouses") have to create their own work (usually online) either because of not speaking the local language, or not being granted a work visa (they have a "spousal visa" that allows them to live in the country but not work). Often this stressful transition can set off health issues as well..which could be interesting content. Asking, "did they struggle with "expat depression" (social isolation, culture shock, etc)". Anyway, great content and I'll be watching and sharing :)

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

@@brecheezer Again, we really appreciate it. We recently did a video with Share the Love blogger, Kate. She's a German expat living in Chicago. She started her life there as a trailing spouse and then she began mentoring other expat women on being a trailing spouse and how to find their voice. It became her business. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nGSpZKd7g6amn9E We also interviewed Jo Parfitt, expat author, about her business story. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqbVZnpsp5iIbdE If those aren't quite what you're looking for let us know and we'll try to source it. Thank you.

[@lynneling8074]

One very distinct difference, your laundry will dry in no time in Hungary and it will take days to dry in the UK :D

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Lynne Ling :-D

[@Barna101010]

When I was living there I always thought health care was not that great in Hungary. Condition of facilities was absolutely rundown, although with good doctors, nurses, employees. Now I live in the UK, it is just completely the opposite here. Most of the time I think doctors do not even have the knowledge to deal with any sort of problems, also prevention is absolutely unknown. Very superficial service. It happened like I had to take a flight to Hungary to solve health problem there.

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Thank you for the feedback on both healthcare systems. What is your home country?

[@Barna101010]

@@ExpatsEverywhere I Am Hungarian, have lived nearly ten years in the UK.

[@spencer5028]

But muh NIH mate. Maybe if they put real Brits first instead of importing huge numbers of migrants

[@SaeKato]

recently had to use a hospital in hungary. Can comfirm the same. The facilities are old, from the 80s, but the doctors are fine. :)

[@kyleorban6869]

Great interview... finally someone who knows how to ask the right questions and has a guest that can give them!!!

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Thank you so much, Kyle! That's a massive compliment. We appreciate you watching. Glad you enjoyed the interview.

[@maryanncurameng5450]

Thinking of moving to Budapest this year and after seeing this, I am convinced! (As if I needed more convincing haha)

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Fantastic! Keep us posted on your move. We do have an interview with someone living in Budapest so that might help your decision even more!

[@Angel646307]

Thank you for sharing your great experience in Budapest Hungary 😇

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

So nice of you

[@pietdezwart2271]

this guy works at "the american school", which is a private school and one of the most expensive ones to go to in Hungary. its teachers are paid well. maybe not such a good example. this school has very high expectations of its teachers, which most expat teacher will lack.

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Fair enough.

[@julianajb]

Agree that it's not nearly the same for anybody that comes to Budapest to teach as in regards to salary and arrangements etc. This video might be a bit misleading. His salary is easily 3x higher than a good paying job here. Also did he even mention the language? Which is the biggest barrier for expats here. It's one of the hardest languages to learn, and even though you can get by without it in Budapest, it does make life a bit more difficult.

[@raedinsmore7732]

Honestly, this video sold me on a program based in Budapest. I love how he said "I could have saved more but I've had a LOT of fun here", because in the end I think it's important to be able to save but still have fun! Then, his mention of the opera and ballet really excited me because I didn't know about that kind of scene in Budapest and I love going to both! Thank you for sharing.

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Thank you! Charlie is still there with his family enjoy life.

[@eamonnwright5557]

Very helpful, thank you .

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Eamonn Wright555 Awesome. Glad that it was helpful. Thanks for the comment.

[@JMyungKun]

i really love the questions being asked!

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Thanks, Nicholas. They are questions that we ask all of our guests that you the viewer can always know what to expect when watching an ExpatsEverywhere interview!

[@JMyungKun]

@@ExpatsEverywhere Actually, I do have some questions about working in Hungary. I am from Singapore and I was wondering if all these benefits Charlie was talking about could apply to other professions and persons who are non-EU citizens. I am an Architect/Architecture graduate.

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

@@JMyungKun Good question. We’re not 100% sure but if you pressed us for an answer, we would say no. It’s nothing to do with nationality and everything to do with industry standard. The benefits covered by his school are very similar to what international school teachers are offered worldwide. In Singapore for example, the schools offer housing, healthcare, relocation stipends, flight bonuses, and more. While large multinational companies might do that in Singapore in other industries, in other parts of the world, it’s becoming less and less common. It’s worth a shot looking around though. One thing to note is that many large companies that demand skilled expats still tend to pay or help pay kid’s school fees but even that is lessening as companies are trying to cut costs.

[@TimeaCseri]

Hi Charlie 😊 Im studying in the Uk and when i finished with my third year im planning to move back to Hungary and apply for a postgraduate course in a non hungarian University. I didnt know about these type of schools in my country so you suprised me 😄

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Hi, Timea Cseri! Charlie is an interviewee of our but hopefully he'll see this message. Thanks for the comment though.

[@aggi7695]

Interesting expat

[@N17sd]

Great channel 💖

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Thank you so much! Glad that you enjoy it. 😊

[@paulsonkoly963]

I believed you until you started talking about driving. I drove a fair bit in both Hungary and the UK. My experience is the exact opposite. Particularly frustrating in the UK is amount of slow drivers doing 37 mph in a 50 mph zone. But other than that ppl will let you out, stop on the main road in heavy traffic just to let you turn in front of them because they know otherwise you are stuck. In Hungary I experienced the opposite. People won't let you out as that's the main road and those are the rules.. On the other hand when drivers see flashing blue lights in the mirror in Hungary they would get out of the way immediately. I tried similar somewhere in Southampton. The ambulance was like the 3rd car behind us.. I put on the hazard signal and pulled over to the left. Everyone overtook me, one even honked at me I saw them swearing..

[@TimeaCseri]

Paul Sonkoly 🤣🤣🤣 im hungarian and studying in the Uk for now, so im familiar with both situation. 😄 but to be honest i never had any bad impression in Hungary on the roads. But i hear the same what you said, from my hungarian friends who live in uk as well. 😄 i noticed something here, for example the drivers love to use the horn all the time, and they are soooo impatient especially in the roundabout 😄

[@es4666]

You said Southampton - that’s why. Other parts of the UK the driving is fine.

[@hazelrobertruff5849]

Any footage on Kőbánya, Budapest?

[@Kinlever]

Hi, so what kind of school in Budapest pays their teachers $45000 annually tax-free and with accommodation costs covered? I wish it was mentioned in video, because it sounds awfully a lot for Budapest. I understand its an expat school, but still that sounds unrealistically much. If someone caught the information and the name of the school or company, please share.

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Charlie did not want to share the exact school that he worked at but Kalie and I (Josh) were international school teachers and these kinds of schools are all over the world. Intl schools sometimes pay 3,4 or 5 times what a normal wage in a city/country is. - Josh & Kalie

[@PicturePilot]

I'm retired and would like to reside in Hungary for a few years (perhaps more). I have the income to support myself, including all bank statements and documents necessary to prove that I can, however, I am finding that this retirement information/option is not readily available anywhere within the various forms linked here and within other videos. Again, I am fully retired so I will not be working, studying nor starting a business. My goal is to simply retire in a beautiful European city where I can travel from...am I overlooking something? Great interview BTW!

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

washington.mfa.gov.hu/eng/page/residence-permits Is the official site to navigate for Americans. Sorry, we're making an assumption here. The reason the information isn't readily available in an official capacity is probably because even in this site, it's not 100% clear. Our recommendation would be to contact the Embassy and ask them where the visa form is for retirees. Keep us posted. We're rooting for you! 🥳 Thank you! We appreciate the support.

[@TheCsabi8]

in your case the best option is Hungary. Generally working in Hungary for peanuts for the average hungarians are not funny. But if you getting your income from abroad is the best choice.

[@precisioncellularnutrition]

Charlie mentioned an American school he works at. Can you share the website for that school or other job opportunities for expats?

[@nohaylamujer]

45000 USD a year in Budapest in INSANELY plenty

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

EFBensonFan Yea, they get PAID at that school.

[@nohaylamujer]

@@ExpatsEverywhere I've just looked at their page but "All our positions at AISB are currently filled." Drats!

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

EFBensonFan their hiring period for teaching staff can start in October although this year maybe later due to CoVid19. The main period is December to March. So start checking back on their site off and on starting next month. 😀

[@nnamdierondu919]

Please what is the estimated salary for a student who want to work

[@t-squaretraders7379]

Hi, thanks for the great, informative interview with Charlie in Hungary. I’ve recently become interested in possibly relocating to one of the V4 countries, started looking at Poland, which would seem to be more difficult to adapt to, maybe there’s not as many opportunities. This video was more “hopeful” in my mind in potentially making that jump. With regards to his situation, he kept saying “they” when it came to who was covering his salary, especially expenses. Maybe I missed it, do you know what group or entity he means by “they”? Teaching’s my wife’s thing, could be mine, so it may be applicable, but just as an example may help to think about other fields. Thanks again for this inspiring work!

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

We're humbled that you found the interview so valuable. Thank you for the kind words. We hope we can have you as a subscriber as we want to continue to produce content like this for people like you. The "they" he refers to is the school that he works for. Let us know if you have any other questions and we'll try to direct you to the proper place.

[@nohaylamujer]

I'm a GMAT / GRE coach and an university applications consultant. I wonder if there is a market for this kind of work in Budapest. Do professionals in Hungary apply for LLM, MPP, MBA, etc. studies in the US or the rest of Europe?

[@mieaab]

Do u provide this coaching online? Gre specifically.

[@N17sd]

Do you have good universities that teach in English? We live in US but we’re thinking of moving to Hungary or Belgium and my daughter is senior here! Thx for the support ❤️

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Belgium is going to have higher ranked universities than Hungary. Many European universities have programs in English. You'll just have to filter/narrow your search by what your daughter wants to study and which universities teach that degree in English. But if you're asking if it's possible, yes, it's possible.

[@N17sd]

@@ExpatsEverywhere Thank you so much, I appreciate it ❤️. The interviews that you present and prepare are very useful, it’s a better way to understand what is going on instead of just reading about it. God bless you

[@gabrieledeimling8599]

I'm a Brazilian who teaches English as a Foreign and/or Second Language. How I could get a job being a teacher there? Is it still as easy or as good as he said in the video? Or wouldn't it be possible as my 1st language is Portuguese and I don't have a EU passport?

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

He works at an international school that requires teachers to be licenses in their home country which is a requirement for most all international schools nowadays. Being a native speaker might not be as important as having those teaching credentials. If you don't have teaching credentials, look into a program in the US like TeacherReady.

[@matthewbaumann630]

I'm Canadian but I'd like to live in Hungary. Is it difficult or expensive to get a permit to live there? Is it hard to find a job? Do you have to prove you have enough money to support yourself for a few years before they will accept you?

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

It's really difficult to answer your question without knowing your reason for going there. It's no more or less difficult or expensive than other countries. There aren't any known nationality restrictions. Yes, you'll need to prove financials. Here's a site that'll lay out the basics. residencies.io/residency/hungary/temporary-residency/hu1#:~:text=The%20Hungarian%20residence%20permit%20may,the%20pursuit%20of%20gainful%20activity.&text=The%20Residence%20permit%20has%20a,Spouse%2C%20child%2C%20parent).

[@matthewbaumann630]

@@ExpatsEverywhere Thank you! I live in Canada and my partner lives in Hungary. I would like to move there but it's hard to find details, like how much net wealth do you need to be accepted when you apply for a residence permit.

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

@Nomad Capitalist would have a better idea. That's their niche for sure. You might be able to do residency by investment via the purchase of investment property. www.goldenvisas.co.za/hungary-investment-residency/

[@matthewbaumann630]

@@ExpatsEverywhere Interesting. I don't have a lot of money to buy property but I teach music and Karate and I'm going to take a TEFL course so I can be an English teacher.

[@bobwa399]

Is there a need for senior carer in Hungary?

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Surely there is to some level but we're not sure if they predominately locals in those positions or not.

[@MissLizaYangonMyanmar]

You can interview me. I'm a qualified teacher living and working in China. I can give an articulate interview like this guy. I have also lived and taught in Chile and Vietnam. I'm curious about which International school he is teaching at there as it sounds like the same packages as China. Can you let me know, please?

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Awesome Leeza! Thanks for the comment. Please email us at [e-mail] and we’ll schedule it as well as answer your question there. How’s that sound?

[@MissLizaYangonMyanmar]

@@ExpatsEverywhere Great I will send you an email here and we can tee it up soon as I'm still on holidays here until 17 February

[@wisdomradamel2649]

How much can international student earn a month with part time jobs when converted to euros?

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Sorry, that's a little too niche for us.

[@junacrause8688]

Would need a job before i move

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Yes, you will need a work & residence permit if you plan to move to Budapest for a long period.

[@junacrause8688]

@@ExpatsEverywhere many thanks i need to find out how to get a job there

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

@@junacrause8688 You're very welcome. Have you seen this video on our channel? kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpeoeHl_bJWlbas

[@junacrause8688]

@@ExpatsEverywhere thank you very much so helpful

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

@@junacrause8688 Awesome! If you don't mind giving both videos a "like", that would be super helpful. KZbin loves that. It tells them we're doing a good job. :-) 👍

[@junacrause8688]

Marmite is from SA

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

? It was conceived in 1902 when the Marmite Food Company opened a small factory in Burton-on-Trent. www.marmite.co.uk/faq.html

[@junacrause8688]

@@ExpatsEverywhere oe maybe it is because that many households in SA has a.pot in pantry :) we were without Marmite in SA for about two weeks as there was a shortage ofnyeast i think...

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

@@junacrause8688 😞 Sorry to hear about the shortage. It's such a staple food for some. 😀

[@junacrause8688]

And now we have it again. A marmite toastie with cheese oe nice

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

@@junacrause8688 😊 😋

[@adriancanaris6007]

this impression of the people of Budapest is totally inaccurate. Hungarians aren't violent and it's true that it's safe in Budapest, but they are nowhere near as positive and friendly as you make them sound.

[@TheCsabi8]

the average hungarians earnings not even close to the half of your salary.

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Yea, international schools in general pay really well.

[@gipszjakab7437]

$45.000 a year as a teacher in BP?? That is a lie! That would be 1.200.000 HUF a month. Maybe a dean makes that much but not a teacher

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Hi Gipsz, indeed that's how much jobs at AISB can pay. BA plus 4 years of experience is 34k and 8 years of experience plus a Masters is 45k. It's posted on a very prominent international school job recruitment site.

[@es4666]

He’s a bad example because he gets everything paid for - that’s not usual

[@elizabethnilsson1815]

TO MUCH INFLUENCE IS WHAT YOU ACTUALLY WORK ON DONT YOU THINK SO YOUR SELF EXPATS EVERYWHERE?

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Sorry. Not sure we understand your question.

[@CARACAS1]

Come on , really? Americans never say " brilliant" as a response

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

An American that's lived abroad as long as Josh does. Can people not adapt their language especially when they're speaking to someone that will resonate with that word usage? 😁

[@bungiesnowflake]

Hungary is not pulling it's weight and should immediately accept, no less, than 3 million muslims !!

[@junacrause8688]

Every country has the right to decide.

[@bungiesnowflake]

@@junacrause8688 NO ! Hungary must accept muslims immediately. The poor poor muslims are persecuted and marginalized everywhere they go. It is not a choice, it is the right of muslims to be wherever they choose.

[@junacrause8688]

@CaptainAmericaShazam Bless you

[@N17sd]

Why don’t Muslims immigrate to other Muslim countries? Why Saudi Arabia or UAE or others don’t accept them ? Let us know when u find the answer. God bless

[@thongtran210]

@@bungiesnowflake what an idiot you are for demanding what a country must do! You must be a commie!