Expat Guide to Living in Budapest 2022

Budapest is a city full of opportunities for digital nomads, even after the pandemic, but there’s no denying that things have changed a bit over the last couple of years. And while you might think that you’re ready, it’s always good to double-check that everything is in order. With that said, here is a small overview of the most important aspects of living in Budapest as a digital nomad.

Renting an apartment in Budapest is pretty easy for most digital nomads. Most real estate agents speak English, and you should be able to get a lease in English and Hungarian. The price usually includes the rent plus a month or two of deposit, which will be returned to you at the end of your renting. On top of rent, you’ll be expected to pay for electricity, gas, internet and so on, plus a small fee for the upkeep of shared hallways in the apartment building.

But where should you find an apartment? You can, of course, try Hungarian sites that offer apartments for rent, such as Ingatlan or Alberlet. However, you will see reasonably steep commission prices for the agents (even though the apartment owner pays them, it may reflect in the rent), and the lease will most likely be signed for at least a year. However, you can also go to Flatio, where the commission isn’t as steep, and you can rent your dream apartment even for just a few months.

Budapest is a relatively young city which has managed to attract all sorts of people. Young start-ups are looking for ways to make it. There are tons of students, both Hungarian and exchange students, and there are tons of families, and there is a vibrant ex-pat community that will help you with settling in. If you don’t know the language, you will probably rely on English as the lingua franca, which you’ll be delighted to know is spoken by many people in Budapest – though older generations may struggle with it a bit. Make sure you learn at least some Hungarian – it will help you in several situations, and the locals will always feel like you’re not just another tourist.

For any ex-pats coming from an English speaking country, most of the living costs in Budapest will seem very favourable. A two-bedroom apartment in good condition and the town centre will start at about €775 per month – but if you want more room or better appliances, the price will grow fast, though it might be worth paying if it means working from home is that much more pleasant. On top of rent, your monthly expenses will also include other things such as gas, electricity and so on.

All of this adds up to about €160 on average per month. Another expense you might wonder about is eating at restaurants. You can eat at more traditional, prestigious restaurants where you’ll be expected to pay as much as €17 per person for a meal, but there are tons of new restaurants, vegan or otherwise, which will give you a three-course meal for as little as €6 per person (not including drinks). However, expect these prices to grow as the pandemic has forced many establishments to be more expensive to keep the lights on.

Don’t forget to factor in things like insurance if you’re going private or don’t have the European EHIC card that lets you use Hungarian public healthcare providers for free. It would be best to count on some form of transportation – people swear by the public transportation system, which tends to be cheaper and more reliable than owning a car in Budapest.