Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Hungary Property Pack
Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Hungary Property Pack
Thinking about starting an Airbnb in Hungary in 2026? The short-term rental market is evolving fast, with new Budapest regulations and strong tourism demand nationwide.
This article covers everything from legal requirements to realistic profit numbers, using fresh data we update regularly.
We also address current housing prices in Hungary and how they affect potential returns.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Hungary.
Insights
- Budapest now has more Airbnb listings than hotel rooms, with short-term rentals accounting for roughly 40% of all guest nights in the capital.
- The two-year moratorium on new Airbnb registrations in Budapest (2025-2026) has created scarcity value for existing licensed properties.
- District VI (Terezvaros) became Hungary's first neighborhood to completely ban short-term rentals on January 1, 2026, affecting around 2,700 listings.
- One-bedroom apartments dominate Hungary's Airbnb market at 66% of listings, reflecting demand from couples doing Budapest city breaks.
- Top-performing hosts achieve occupancy rates 10 to 18 percentage points higher than average hosts in the same neighborhoods.
- The Hungarian government quadrupled Airbnb taxes in 2024, with annual flat taxes per room rising 290% to about 141,000 HUF.
- International travelers make up over 82% of Airbnb guests in Budapest, making foreign tourism the primary demand driver.
- Seasonal revenue swings typically range from 2x to 3x between low and high season, with August peaking and February slowest.
Can I legally run an Airbnb in Hungary in 2026?
Is short-term renting allowed in Hungary in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, short-term renting is allowed in Hungary but treated as a regulated accommodation service with mandatory registration and reporting requirements.
The main legal framework is Government Decree 239/2009, which establishes accommodation service rules, while the NTAK system handles mandatory registration.
The most important compliance requirement is registering your property through NTAK and obtaining a registration number before accepting bookings.
Budapest has extra restrictions: a citywide moratorium blocks new registrations from January 2025 through December 2026, and individual districts can impose their own rules, including complete bans.
Operating illegally can result in fines up to 200,000 HUF (520 EUR) for individuals or 2,000,000 HUF (5,200 EUR) for companies, plus temporary closure for up to 45 days.
For a more general view, you can read our article detailing what exactly foreigners can own and buy in Hungary.
If you are an American, you might want to read our blog article detailing the property rights of US citizens in Hungary.
Are there minimum-stay rules and maximum nights-per-year caps for Airbnbs in Hungary as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Hungary has no national minimum-stay requirement or nights-per-year cap, but Budapest districts can set their own limits, including reducing allowable days to zero.
Rules vary by location: District VI has capped rental days at zero (a full ban), while most areas outside Budapest have no restrictions.
Hosts track rental activity through NTAK, which requires ongoing data reporting about guest nights to maintain compliance.
If a host exceeds a district's cap, authorities can issue fines and order temporary closure, with inspections now conducted jointly by municipal authorities, police, and the tax office.
Do I have to live there, or can I Airbnb a secondary home in Hungary right now?
Hungary has no residency requirement for operating an Airbnb, so you don't need to live in the property to rent it short-term.
Secondary homes and investment properties can legally operate as short-term rentals, a common pattern especially around Lake Balaton.
No special permits exist for non-primary residences, though all properties must complete NTAK registration and comply with local district rules in Budapest.
The main practical difference: if your secondary property wasn't registered before January 2025, you cannot obtain a Budapest license until the moratorium ends in 2027.
Don't buy the wrong property, in the wrong area of Hungary
Buying real estate is a significant investment. Don't rely solely on your intuition. Gather the right information to make the best decision.
Can I run multiple Airbnbs under one name in Hungary right now?
Hungary's framework allows operating multiple Airbnb listings under one name, as NTAK is designed around registering service providers who can add multiple locations.
There's no official maximum number of properties one person can list nationally, though practical limits exist in Budapest due to the registration moratorium.
Multi-property hosts must register each location separately in NTAK with its own registration number, but there are no additional licensing fees for multiple listings.
Do I need a short-term rental license or a business registration to host in Hungary as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, you need NTAK registration and NAV tax compliance, though this is a registration process rather than a traditional license application.
The process involves creating a Hungarian Citizen Portal account, then registering property details through NTAK, which automatically generates your registration number.
You must provide your property address, classification type, capacity data including room and bed counts, and local registration details if available.
NTAK registration is free and doesn't require renewal, but hosts must pay applicable taxes including the increased annual flat tax (now around 141,000 HUF or 367 EUR per room) plus tourist tax collected from guests.
Are there neighborhood bans or restricted zones for Airbnb in Hungary as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Budapest has active neighborhood bans, with District VI (Terezvaros) implementing a complete ban effective January 1, 2026, while most areas outside Budapest remain unrestricted.
District VI, home to Andrassy Avenue and the State Opera, became Hungary's first area to fully prohibit short-term rentals after residents voted in favor and the Supreme Court upheld the regulation in November 2025. District VII (Erzsebetvaros) introduced strict new requirements in September 2025 making new Airbnb operations in residential buildings practically impossible.
These restrictions emerged because central Budapest districts saw extremely high STR concentrations, with some buildings reaching 50% Airbnb units.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Hungary compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
How much can an Airbnb earn in Hungary in 2026?
What's the average and median nightly price on Airbnb in Hungary in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the average nightly price for an Airbnb in Hungary is approximately 75 EUR (29,000 HUF or 80 USD), while the median sits at around 65 EUR (25,000 HUF or 70 USD).
The typical price range covering 80% of listings falls between 45 EUR and 130 EUR (17,300 to 50,000 HUF), with Budapest commanding higher rates than resort areas during off-peak seasons.
Location is the biggest pricing factor, with central Budapest districts achieving rates 2 to 3 times higher than outer districts or secondary cities like Debrecen.
By the way, you will find much more detailed profitability rent ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Hungary.
How much do nightly prices vary by neighborhood in Hungary in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, nightly prices vary by 80 to 100 EUR between neighborhoods, with Budapest's District V averaging around 120 EUR (46,000 HUF) while outer districts like District XVIII average closer to 40 EUR (15,400 HUF).
The three highest-priced neighborhoods are District V (Belvaros-Lipotvaros) at 120 EUR, District I (Castle District) at 110 EUR, and District II (Buda hills) at 100 EUR.
The three lowest-priced areas include District XVIII, District XX, and District XXIII, all averaging 35 to 45 EUR, though these still attract budget-conscious travelers and longer-stay guests prioritizing value.
What's the typical occupancy rate in Hungary in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, typical occupancy for Airbnb listings in Hungary is approximately 55% annualized, though Budapest performs higher at 63% to 77% depending on property quality and location.
The realistic range spans from 45% for basic properties to 80% for well-optimized listings in prime Budapest locations.
Hungary's occupancy compares favorably to regional averages, with Budapest outperforming most Central European capitals due to year-round thermal bath and city break tourism.
Dynamic pricing and fast response times are the biggest factors for above-average occupancy, with top hosts outperforming static-pricing hosts by 10 to 18 percentage points.
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What's the average monthly revenue per listing in Hungary in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, average monthly revenue per Airbnb listing in Hungary is approximately 1,080 EUR (416,000 HUF or 1,150 USD), though Budapest properties typically generate 1,300 to 1,500 EUR.
The realistic range covering 80% of listings falls between 600 EUR and 1,800 EUR (231,000 to 693,000 HUF).
Top listings in central Budapest can achieve 2,500 to 4,000 EUR monthly. A well-located 2-bedroom in District V charging 140 EUR at 75% occupancy would generate around 3,150 EUR monthly.
Finally, note that we give here all the information you need to buy and rent out a property in Hungary.
What's the typical low-season vs high-season monthly revenue in Hungary in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, typical low-season revenue in Hungary is around 650 EUR (250,000 HUF), while high-season months bring approximately 1,600 EUR (616,000 HUF), a roughly 2.5x swing.
Low season runs November through February (excluding Christmas markets), while high season peaks June through August, with additional spikes during the Hungarian Grand Prix (late July) and Sziget Festival (mid-August).
What's a realistic Airbnb monthly expense range in Hungary in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, realistic monthly expenses for an Airbnb in Hungary run 280 to 650 EUR (108,000 to 250,000 HUF) for self-managed apartments, rising to 550 to 1,350 EUR for professionally managed houses or villas.
Cleaning and turnover costs typically represent the largest expense share, often 80 to 150 EUR monthly, followed by utilities which spike in winter due to heating.
Hosts should expect to spend 25% to 40% of gross revenue on operating expenses.
If you want to go into more details, we also have a blog article detailing all the property taxes and fees in Hungary.
What's realistic monthly net profit and profit per available night for Airbnb in Hungary in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, realistic monthly net profit for an Airbnb in Hungary is 300 to 750 EUR (115,000 to 289,000 HUF), with profit per available night ranging from 10 to 25 EUR.
The range spans from 150 EUR for basic properties in secondary locations to 1,500 EUR for premium Budapest apartments.
Hosts typically achieve net profit margins between 25% and 45% of gross revenue.
Break-even occupancy is around 35% to 45%, meaning properties need roughly 11 to 14 booked nights monthly to cover operating costs.
In our property pack covering the real estate market in Hungary, we explain the best strategies to improve your cashflows.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Hungary versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
How competitive is Airbnb in Hungary as of 2026?
How many active Airbnb listings are in Hungary as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Hungary has approximately 30,000 to 38,000 active short-term rental listings, with Budapest accounting for around 15,900 to 16,100, by far the largest concentration.
Budapest's listing count grew roughly 8% over the past year, though growth has frozen due to the registration moratorium, and the market is maturing rather than rapidly expanding.
Which neighborhoods are most saturated in Hungary as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the most saturated neighborhoods are Budapest's District VII (Jewish Quarter/party zone), District V (downtown), District VI (now banned), District I (Castle District), plus Balaton resort towns like Siofok in summer.
These areas became saturated due to walkable access to attractions, vibrant nightlife, and historic architecture that photographs well, creating a feedback loop attracting more hosts.
Undersaturated neighborhoods with better opportunities include District XI (Ujbuda), District XIII (Ujlipotvaros), District IX (Ferencvaros), and wellness towns like Heviz with year-round thermal tourism.
What local events spike demand in Hungary in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, main demand-spiking events are the Hungarian Grand Prix (July 24-26), Sziget Festival (August 11-18), and Budapest's Christmas markets (November-December), with F1 weekend alone doubling or tripling booking rates.
During peak events, booking rates increase 30% to 80% and nightly prices rise 50% to 150% compared to normal periods.
Hosts should adjust pricing 6 to 8 weeks before major events, as August booking lead times average around 59 days.
What occupancy differences exist between top and average hosts in Hungary in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, top-performing hosts achieve 70% to 80% occupancy, with the best operators in prime Budapest sustaining above 85%.
Average hosts achieve 50% to 60%, meaning top performers outpace them by 10 to 18 percentage points, translating to 40 to 65 additional booked nights annually.
New hosts typically need 6 to 12 months to reach top-performer levels as they build reviews and optimize pricing.
We give more details about the different Airbnb strategies to adopt in our property pack covering the real estate market in Hungary.
Which price points are most crowded, and where's the "white space" for new hosts in Hungary right now?
The most crowded price range in Hungary is 60 to 100 EUR (23,000 to 38,500 HUF), representing the middle market of standard 1-bedroom apartments in accessible Budapest locations.
White space exists in the premium segment above 140 EUR for exceptional properties and the value segment below 50 EUR for well-located budget options.
New hosts can compete in underserved segments by offering family-ready 2-bedrooms with dining space and elevators, or quiet-luxury 1-bedrooms in "sleepable" neighborhoods like Ujlipotvaros targeting couples seeking calm over party proximity.
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What property works best for Airbnb demand in Hungary right now?
What bedroom count gets the most bookings in Hungary as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, 1-bedroom apartments get the most Airbnb bookings in Hungary, driven by couples and small groups doing Budapest city breaks.
Booking breakdown: 1-bedrooms capture 55% to 60% of bookings, 2-bedrooms around 25%, studios 8%, and 3+ bedrooms the remaining 7% to 12%.
One-bedrooms perform best because Budapest tourism is oriented toward short romantic getaways and friend trips of 2 to 3 people.
What property type performs best in Hungary in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, apartments and condos are the best-performing property type, particularly in Budapest where they dominate at 91% of listings and benefit from year-round urban tourism.
Occupancy varies by type: central Budapest apartments achieve 65% to 77%, detached houses average 50% to 60%, and Balaton holiday homes can hit 85% in summer but drop to 20% to 30% in winter.
Apartments outperform due to better operational efficiency, central locations, and year-round demand avoiding seasonal volatility.
What amenities do nearly all competitors offer in Hungary right now?
As of the first half of 2026, baseline amenities include wireless internet (99%), kitchen (95%), heating (93%), and washer (77%), making these effectively mandatory.
Beyond basics, competitive listings offer strong heating with reliable hot water, blackout curtains, and self check-in options (ensuring building compliance).
Differentiating amenities include air conditioning, dedicated workspace for remote workers, and parking (especially valuable outside central Budapest and around Balaton).
What location traits boost bookings in Hungary right now?
As of the first half of 2026, location traits boosting bookings include walkability to major attractions (Danube, Parliament, Castle District, thermal baths), proximity to metro lines, and balance between accessibility and quiet sleeping conditions.
In Budapest, listings within 10 minutes of a metro station see notably higher booking rates, while properties on quieter side streets near the ruin bar zone achieve strong reviews by offering nightlife access without noise complaints.
For Balaton and spa towns, water access within a 10-minute walk combined with parking are dominant factors, while Heviz properties benefit from walkability to thermal baths.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Hungary, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can, and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used and explained how we used them.
| Source | Why it's authoritative | How we used it |
|---|---|---|
| AirDNA | One of the most widely used STR analytics providers globally, tracking millions of listings with published methodology. | We used it as our primary anchor for ADR, occupancy, revenue, listing counts, and amenity prevalence in Budapest. |
| Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH) | Hungary's official statistics agency publishing baseline tourism demand numbers and regional breakdowns. | We used it to anchor real-world demand patterns and validate that tourism remained strong through 2025. |
| NTAK | The official Hungarian government system for mandatory tourism data reporting and accommodation registration. | We used it to explain registration requirements and multi-property operation rules. |
| Government Decree 239/2009 (Jogtar) | The operative Hungarian decree governing accommodation service conditions and registration. | We used it to ground our legal explanation in actual law rather than platform advice. |
| NAV (Hungarian Tax Authority) | Hungary's national tax authority publishing official guidance for accommodation hosts. | We used it to frame tax compliance obligations and model recurring annual tax costs. |
| European Central Bank (ECB) | Official reference exchange rates for the euro area including EUR/HUF. | We used the January 2026 rate of 385 HUF per EUR to express all figures consistently. |
| Reuters | Top-tier international wire service with strong editorial standards. | We used it to corroborate the District VI ban and Budapest supply-freeze policy direction. |
| Hungary Today | Credible English-language coverage of Hungarian news with timely reporting. | We used it to verify enforcement began in January 2026 and track Supreme Court rulings. |
| Daily News Hungary | Covers Hungarian current affairs with detailed local policy reporting. | We used it to track District VII restrictions and evolving regulations. |
| Airbnb Help Center | Platform-verified information about local regulations. | We used it to confirm moratorium dates and district-specific requirements. |
| Airbtics | Detailed Airbnb analytics with transparent methodology. | We used it to cross-validate AirDNA figures and analyze property type performance. |
| AirROI | STR market analysis with price tier breakdowns and booking data. | We used it to analyze pricing tiers, seasonal patterns, and booking behavior. |
| Magyar Nemzeti Bank (MNB) | Hungary's central bank and most-cited authority on housing prices. | We used it to contextualize entry prices and purchase price discipline importance. |
| Formula 1 | Official championship calendar for the Hungarian Grand Prix. | We used it to identify predictable peak-demand weekends. |
| We Love Budapest | Trusted local events and culture guide for Budapest. | We used it to confirm Sziget Festival 2026 dates. |
| Terezvaros District Government | Official District VI website with local tax and regulatory information. | We used it as a reality check on district-level enforcement and tourist tax administration. |
| Budapest Tourist Tax Decree (Jogtar) | Official text repository for Budapest-level decrees. | We used it to confirm tourist tax is an enforceable local obligation. |
| Balkan Insight | In-depth regional journalism covering Central European policy. | We used it for detailed context on the District VI ban including resident perspectives. |
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Hungary. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.