Thinking about moving to Hungary? This overview pulls together how it compares across the things that shape daily life: cost, language, safety, healthcare and the route to staying long term. In MoveMap’s model, Hungary stands out for a lighter tax burden, an affordable cost of living and an easier housing market, while it is worth weighing less political stability, a less open social climate and a weaker healthcare score.
Hungary at a glance
Tap any metric to see what is behind the number.
Cost of living48/100
Cost of living here sits a bit below the EU average. As rough monthly figures, a typical net salary is around €1100 and a one-bedroom rent runs about €600 a month. Your real budget depends heavily on the city and your lifestyle.
English55/100
English works in tourist and business settings, but daily life, services and paperwork usually need the local language.
Safety78/100
This is a MoveMap score out of 100 (higher is safer), so 78/100 means safe: everyday crime is low and the main cities feel comfortable, including at night, with normal precautions.
Healthcare62/100
Scored 62/100 in MoveMap's model (higher is better). Public healthcare covers the basics but can mean waiting lists; private insurance is common among expats.
ClimateCold
Cold winters and warm summers, with four distinct seasons. Typical daytime highs: winter around 3°C, spring 17°C, summer 28°C, autumn 16°C. Figures are approximate and vary by region.
Citizenship~8 yrs
On the ordinary residence route you can usually apply for permanent residence after about 5 years, and for citizenship after about 8 years of continuous legal residence. Marriage to a citizen or ancestry can be much faster. Most countries also require a language test (commonly around B1) and some restrict holding two passports, so confirm Hungary's current rules and dual-citizenship stance.
Taxes15% flat
Personal income tax: Flat 15%. As a freelancer: Flat-rate taxation (atalanyado) with 40/80/90% notional cost ratios; KATA now heavily restricted. Company owners: CIT 9% (the EU's lowest), dividends 15% (+szocho, capped). Rates as of July 2026. Tax rules change every budget cycle and depend on your personal situation: verify with a licensed tax advisor before acting.
Where Hungary stands out
Relative to the other 26 EU countries, Hungary scores best for:
- A lighter tax burden.
- An affordable cost of living.
- An easier housing market.
Worth weighing before you move
Every country has trade-offs. For Hungary, keep an eye on:
- Less political stability.
- A less open social climate.
- A weaker healthcare score.
Is Hungary right for you?
These are general patterns. Whether Hungary actually fits depends on your income, work, family, documents and what you want from a move, and the right city matters as much as the country. The quickest way to see where Hungary lands for your situation is the MoveMap check.