The Hungary

Capital

Budapest — The largest and capital city of Hungary, divided by the River Danube into Buda and Pest sides. It’s the cultural, economic, and educational hub.

Population

Approximately 9.6 million (2024 estimate)
Budapest metropolitan area alone has about 1.75 million residents.

Currency

Hungarian Forint (HUF)
1 EUR ≈ 385-395 HUF (fluctuates slightly)

Student Work Rights

  • EU/EEA Students: No work restrictions
  • Non-EU/EEA Students:

Wage Rate for Students (2024)

  • Minimum wage (student jobs): ~1,500–2,000 HUF/hour (≈ 3.8 – 5.2 EUR/hour)
  • Part-time student jobs monthly salary:
    80,000 – 160,000 HUF (≈ 210 – 420 EUR), depending on hours and job type.

Average Salary in Hungary

Overall average gross salary (2024): ~650,000 – 720,000 HUF/month
(Net: ~430,000 – 480,000 HUF/month or ~1,100 – 1,250 EUR)

Average Salary by Profession (Gross/month):

Profession Salary (HUF) Salary (EUR approx.)
IT / Software Developer 900,000 – 1,300,000 2,300 – 3,400
Engineer (Civil/Mechanical) 700,000 – 950,000 1,800 – 2,500
Doctor / Medical Specialist 1,200,000+ 3,000+
Teacher / Academic 500,000 – 700,000 1,300 – 1,800
Hospitality / Restaurant 400,000 – 600,000 1,050 – 1,500
Accountant 600,000 – 850,000 1,550 – 2,200
Customer Service / BPO 500,000 – 700,000 1,300 – 1,800

Permanent Residency (PR) for International Students

  • Residence Permit for Study: First, study at a Hungarian university (typically 2–4 years).
  • After Graduation:
  • Work Residency:
  •  Permanent Residency:
  • EU Long-Term Residence Permit:

Work Permit for Non-EU Nationals

  • Employer-Sponsored Work Permit:

Combined Work & Residence Permit (Single Application Procedure)

Best Cities to Live in Hungary:

✓ Budapest Capital, vibrant lifestyle, best universities, jobs, and infrastructure.

✓ Debrecen Second-largest city, growing tech and health sector, University of Debrecen.

✓ Szeged Student-friendly, home to University of Szeged, low cost of living.

✓ Pécs Cultural heritage, affordable housing, University of Pécs.

✓ Győr Automotive industry hub, close to Austria, good for engineers.

For students and expats, Budapest remains the top choice due to better job opportunities, international community, and educational institutions.

Pros of Living in Hungary:

Challenges: