Cost of Living in Hungary

Cost of Living in Hungary

 Hungary’s location in Central Europe makes it a more cost-effective destination for students looking to study and travel on a budget. Beyond the myriad of student discounts [link to Why Study in Hungary] the country offers its international guests, Hungary is home to lower costs of living than many other European destinations, although it certainly doesn’t lack in quality of life or day-to-day conveniences.

Despite the fact that it joined the EU in 2003, Hungary uses its own currency, the Hungarian Forint (HUF). Approximately 270 HUF are equivalent to 1 US Dollar, making the currency one of the weaker one in Europe. This is advantageous to students traveling here to study, though, as it means they can stretch their savings much further than they might in other destinations like the UK, France, and Germany.

So, what exactly should students in Hungary expect to spend? On average, here is what you should plan for:

One Year of Study in Hungary

Hungary has one of the cheaper education systems in Europe, though what it lacks in fees, it does not fall short of in education quality. Ranked #22 in terms of best global education, Hungary beats out some of the top European favorites like France, Sweden, and Spain.

In addition to international fees, ranging usually between 100 EUR and 150 EUR, the average cost of tuition for undergraduate studies can often be as low as 4500 EUR on an annual basis. Some factors that affect this price include the chosen university, the level of degree you are pursuing, and the area of study in which you are focused. For example, at the upper end of the price range for tuition are medicine and dentistry, two of the most popular programs in Hungary, which come with a steeper price tag of approximately 20,000EUR per year.

Overall Cost of Living in Hungary

While typically the cost of living in Hungary falls far lower than other top student destinations in Europe and around the globe, a student’s experience and expenditure will vary slightly depending on the decisions they make. Enrolling in a university that provides on-campus accommodation, especially one in which the cost of these services is included in the tuition fees, will allow students to save more money than those looking to live in flats separated from their universities.

In a shared apartment, students can pay as low as 250 EUR per month in an urban area. This price will naturally go down as students move further away from metropolitan city centers. Additionally, food, drinks, nightlife, and excursions come at an affordable price for the average student, who can take advantage of all Hungary has to offer without breaking the bank, especially with all of the country’s student discounts.

Hungary is ranked 71st in a list of the world’s most expensive countries, and its major cities of Budapest and Debrecen fall at numbers 367 and 393, respectively. Students in urban and suburban settings, alike, will experience a high quality of life for a low cost of living.

For a quick list of what to expect when living Hungary, see the chart below: