Getting Started
Arriving & Settling In
The first weeks in a new country involve a handful of practical steps. The order and pace can vary by city and university, but most students work through something like this:
Finding Accommodation
Deciding between a university dormitory, a private rental or a shared apartment, and arranging it before or shortly after arrival.
Completing University Registration
Finalising your enrolment with your university and submitting any documents they require in person.
Opening a Local Bank Account
Setting up a Hungarian bank account, which is often useful for paying rent, receiving funds and everyday transactions.
Getting a Local SIM or Phone Plan
Arranging local mobile service so you can stay connected for university communication, banking and daily life.
Attending Orientation
Taking part in your university’s orientation activities, where you learn how the institution works and meet other students.
Exact requirements and timelines vary by university and by your individual circumstances — your university and Mobedum can both help you understand what applies to you.
Accommodation
Where You’ll Live
Most international students in Hungary choose between three main types of accommodation, each with a different balance of cost, convenience and independence.
University Dormitories
Often the most affordable option, located on or near campus. Availability and application procedures vary by university.
Private Rentals
An apartment rented directly on the private market. Offers more independence and choice of location, typically at a higher cost than a dormitory.
Shared Apartments
Renting with roommates, often other students. A cost-effective option that’s common among international students.
Budgeting
Cost of Living, Category by Category
Day-to-day living costs in Hungary depend heavily on the city, your accommodation choice and your personal lifestyle. These are the main categories worth budgeting for, followed by indicative figures published by the Hungarian government’s study portal:
- Housing — dormitory, shared apartment or private rental
- Food and groceries
- Local transport
- Health insurance
- Personal expenses — leisure, study materials and everyday extras
Monthly Accommodation Costs by City
Housing is usually the largest single item in a student budget, and it is also where the difference between cities is widest. The figures below are monthly amounts in Hungarian forint (Ft); flat prices include utilities.
| City | Dormitory | Shared flat | Private flat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budapest | 36,000 Ft | 140,000 Ft | 225,000 Ft |
| Debrecen | 18,000 Ft | 80,000 Ft | 165,000 Ft |
| Győr | 40,000 Ft | 95,000 Ft | 130,000 Ft |
| Miskolc | 22,000 Ft | 80,000 Ft | 120,000 Ft |
| Pécs | 32,000 Ft | 80,000 Ft | 175,000 Ft |
| Szeged | 13,000 Ft | 80,000 Ft | 135,000 Ft |
Everyday Prices
Beyond rent, most of a monthly budget goes on food, getting around and the occasional evening out. These are the typical price ranges students can expect:
| Category | Item | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Eating out | Meal at an inexpensive restaurant | 2,500–4,000 Ft |
| Groceries | Bread (500 g) | 525–599 Ft |
| Groceries | Apples (1 kg) | 458–603 Ft |
| Groceries | Rice (1 kg) | 500–727 Ft |
| Groceries | Chicken fillet (1 kg) | 1,840–2,017 Ft |
| Transport | Public transport, single ticket | 350–650 Ft |
| Transport | Bike-sharing (30 minutes) | 0–1,200 Ft |
| Leisure | Cinema ticket with student discount | 2,100–2,400 Ft |
| Leisure | Fitness club membership | 13,000–18,500 Ft |
These are indicative figures published by the Hungarian government’s study portal, studyinhungary.hu (Tempus Public Foundation), with the rental data drawn from ingatlan.com. Dormitory places and their prices are set by each university individually, so ask your own university what it offers and what it charges. Prices also change over time — treat the ranges above as a starting point and check current figures when you build your own budget.
Exact costs vary by city and lifestyle. For a broader look at budgeting for your studies, see more on the Admissions page.
Community
Community & Culture
Hungary’s university cities are home to a growing international student community, with students arriving from many different countries and backgrounds. Most universities support student clubs and associations covering academic, cultural and social interests, giving international students ways to connect with each other and with the local community over the course of their studies.
Transport
Getting Around
Hungarian cities generally have organised public transport networks — buses and trams are common across university cities, with an extensive metro system in Budapest. Students typically rely on public transport for their daily commute between accommodation, campus and the rest of the city.
Health & Safety
Health & Safety
International students are generally required to hold valid health insurance for the duration of their studies in Hungary, as part of the conditions attached to their residence permit. This is a requirement set by the relevant Hungarian authorities and universities, not something Mobedum can waive or guarantee on your behalf — we can help you understand what applies to your situation.
Hungary is generally regarded as a safe destination for international study, and, as anywhere, students are encouraged to use ordinary common-sense precautions in a new city and environment.
Work
Working While You Study
International students are often permitted to work part-time during their studies, within limits set by Hungarian regulations and the conditions attached to their residence permit. Whether and how much you can work depends on your individual permit and circumstances, so it’s worth confirming the current rules that apply to you before making plans around part-time work.
During Term-Time
Third-country citizens holding a residence permit for study purposes may take up income-earning activity for no more than 30 hours a week while the academic term is running.
Outside Term-Time
Outside term-time, the limit is no more than ninety days or sixty-six working days.
Who These Limits Apply To
These limits apply to third-country citizens with a study-purpose residence permit. Students from EU/EEA countries fall under a different set of rules, which are generally more permissive.
Pay is set by Hungarian law rather than by any individual employer’s discretion, and the rates are revised annually. The figures below are full-time reference points — part-time student earnings are proportionally lower.
Statutory Minimum Wage (2026)
Hungary’s statutory minimum wage is HUF 322,800 gross per month for general work, and HUF 373,200 gross per month as the guaranteed minimum wage for jobs requiring at least a secondary-level qualification.
Reference Net Salaries
The Hungarian government’s study portal gives approximate full-time net monthly figures of around €445 for unskilled work and around €550 for skilled work.
Figures published by the Hungarian government’s study portal, studyinhungary.hu (Tempus Public Foundation), alongside Hungary’s statutory minimum wage rates for 2026.
Beyond Admission
How Mobedum Supports You After You Arrive
Our guidance doesn’t stop once you receive an offer. Mobedum helps you understand what comes next — from the practical steps of arriving and settling in, to preparing for everyday life as a student in Hungary — so the transition feels manageable rather than overwhelming.
Have Questions About Life in Hungary?
Tell us what you’d like to know about accommodation, costs or settling in, and we’ll help you understand what to expect.