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
Hungary has become one of the most affordable retirement destinations in Europe, offering a unique blend of rich culture, thermal spa traditions, and a cost of living that stretches your retirement savings much further than in Western Europe.
In this guide, we break down exactly how much money you need to retire in Hungary in 2026, from survival budgets to luxury lifestyles, including current housing prices and real monthly expenses.
We constantly update this blog post with fresh data so you always have the most accurate picture of what retiring in Hungary really costs.
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.
How much money do I need to retire in Hungary right now?
What's the absolute minimum monthly budget to survive in Hungary?
The absolute minimum monthly budget to survive in Hungary in 2026 is approximately 430,000 HUF, which equals about $1,100 or €1,000, though this is a tight survival budget rather than a comfortable retirement.
At this minimum budget level in Hungary, you can cover basic rent in an outer district of Budapest or a smaller city, groceries for cooking at home, public transportation, and minimal healthcare expenses, but there is almost no room for dining out or entertainment.
Living on this minimum budget in Hungary means accepting significant trade-offs, including choosing housing far from central Budapest, rarely eating at restaurants, skipping private healthcare options, and having essentially no buffer for unexpected expenses or travel.
What lifestyle do I get with $2,000/month in Hungary in 2026?
As of early 2026, a budget of $2,000 per month (approximately 780,000 HUF or €1,850) in Hungary provides a comfortable and social retirement lifestyle where you can live well without constantly watching every expense.
With this budget in Hungary, you can afford a nice one-bedroom apartment in Budapest neighborhoods like Ujlipotvaros in District XIII or Ferencvaros in District IX, where rents typically range from 250,000 to 350,000 HUF ($640 to $900 or €590 to €830) per month.
At the $2,000 level in Hungary, you can enjoy eating out a few times per week at local Budapest restaurants, take day trips to places like Lake Balaton or the wine region of Eger, and join social activities at one of Budapest's famous thermal baths like Szechenyi or Gellert.
The main limitation at this budget level in Hungary is that you will need to choose between premium healthcare coverage and other lifestyle upgrades, and you may need to be selective about which central Budapest neighborhoods you can afford.
What lifestyle do I get with $3,000/month in Hungary in 2026?
As of early 2026, a budget of $3,000 per month (approximately 1,170,000 HUF or €2,770) in Hungary delivers a very comfortable retirement with a strong safety margin built into your monthly spending.
With this budget in Hungary, you can rent a high-quality one-bedroom or even a two-bedroom apartment in desirable Budapest neighborhoods like Vizivaros in District II or the elegant Rozsadomb area, where rents range from 350,000 to 500,000 HUF ($900 to $1,280 or €830 to €1,180) per month.
At the $3,000 level in Hungary, you can dine at Budapest's quality restaurants like Borkonyha or Costes several times per week, maintain a gym membership at a premium facility, take regular weekend trips to Vienna or Prague by train, and access private healthcare specialists without waiting.
The key upgrade from the $2,000 budget in Hungary is the ability to afford comprehensive private health insurance, live in a more prestigious Budapest neighborhood with better walkability, and have a meaningful financial buffer that eliminates money stress.
What lifestyle do I get with $5,000/month in Hungary in 2026?
As of early 2026, a budget of $5,000 per month (approximately 1,950,000 HUF or €4,620) places you in the top tier of retirees in Hungary, while $10,000 per month (3,900,000 HUF or €9,240) provides an ultra-premium lifestyle with potential for property ownership and extensive travel.
At the $5,000 level in Hungary, you can afford a premium two-bedroom or three-bedroom apartment in Budapest's most prestigious areas like District I (Castle District), District XII (Hegyvidek), or the villa neighborhoods of Rozsadomb, where rents range from 600,000 to 1,000,000 HUF ($1,540 to $2,560 or €1,420 to €2,360) per month, while $10,000 opens the door to owning property and maintaining a second home near Lake Balaton.
At this luxury range in Hungary, you gain access to premium services like regular cleaning help, private medical specialists at top Budapest clinics like FirstMed, membership at exclusive facilities like the Budapest Country Club, frequent business-class travel within Europe, and the ability to dine at Michelin-starred restaurants like Onyx without budget concerns.
How much for a "comfortable" retirement in Hungary in 2026?
As of early 2026, the estimated monthly budget for a comfortable retirement in Hungary is approximately 975,000 HUF, which equals about $2,500 or €2,300, giving you a good apartment, regular social activities, and peace of mind.
Retirees in Hungary should add a safety buffer of 15% to 25% on top of their comfortable budget, which means planning for 1,120,000 to 1,220,000 HUF ($2,900 to $3,100 or €2,650 to €2,900) per month to account for Hungary's inflation history and unexpected expenses.
The comfortable retirement budget in Hungary covers important categories that a basic budget does not, including private health insurance premiums, regular dining out and cafe visits, gym or wellness memberships, domestic travel to destinations like Eger or Pecs, and a meaningful emergency fund.
How much for a "luxury" retirement in Hungary in 2026?
As of early 2026, the estimated monthly budget for a luxury retirement in Hungary is approximately 2,150,000 HUF, which equals about $5,500 or €5,100, providing access to premium housing, top-tier healthcare, and an elevated lifestyle.
A luxury retirement budget in Hungary covers premium housing in Budapest's best neighborhoods at 800,000+ HUF ($2,050 or €1,890) per month, comprehensive private health coverage at 150,000+ HUF ($385 or €355) monthly, regular fine dining, domestic staff, and frequent international travel.
The most popular neighborhoods among retirees seeking a luxury lifestyle in Hungary include District II (Rozsadomb and Pasaret) for its green hills and villa-style homes, District XII (Hegyvidek) for peaceful residential living, and District I (Castle District) for its historic prestige and Danube views.
The main advantage of a luxury budget in Hungary beyond comfort is complete flexibility, meaning you never need to make trade-offs between healthcare quality, travel plans, or spontaneous experiences, and you can fully enjoy Budapest's cultural offerings like the Opera House and concert halls without financial constraints.
We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in Hungary. It highlights key facts like rental prices, yields, and property costs both in city centers and outside, so you can easily compare opportunities. We’ve done some research and also included useful insights about the country’s economy, like GDP, population, and interest rates, to help you understand the bigger picture.
What are the real monthly expenses for retirees in Hungary in 2026?
What is a realistic monthly budget breakdown by category in Hungary?
A realistic monthly budget breakdown for a comfortable retiree in Hungary in 2026 includes approximately $700 (€645) for rent, $160 (€150) for utilities, $320 (€295) for groceries, $250 (€230) for dining out, $45 (€40) for transport, $200 (€185) for healthcare, $200 (€185) for lifestyle, and $475 (€440) for buffer and miscellaneous expenses.
Housing costs typically consume 25% to 35% of a retiree's monthly budget in Hungary, with Budapest rents averaging 250,000 to 350,000 HUF ($640 to $900 or €590 to €830) for a one-bedroom apartment in a good neighborhood.
Food and groceries in Hungary typically account for 15% to 20% of a retiree's monthly budget, with grocery spending averaging 120,000 to 140,000 HUF ($310 to $360 or €285 to €330) per month for someone cooking at home regularly.
The budget category that varies most depending on personal lifestyle choices in Hungary is healthcare, which can range from 40,000 HUF ($100 or €95) for minimal coverage to 275,000 HUF ($700 or €650) or more for premium private insurance and frequent specialist visits.
What fees surprise foreigners most after moving to Hungary?
The top three hidden or overlooked fees that foreigners typically underestimate in Hungary are private healthcare costs (since public system waits can be long), winter heating bills (which can double or triple utility costs from November to March), and building maintenance fees in older Budapest apartment buildings.
Foreigners arriving in Hungary should budget for one-time setup costs including rental deposits of typically two months' rent (500,000 to 700,000 HUF or $1,280 to $1,800 or €1,180 to €1,660), agency fees of one month's rent, residence permit application fees of approximately 25,000 HUF ($64 or €60), and basic furniture or household items if the apartment is not fully furnished.
What's the average rent for a 1-bedroom or a 2-bedroom in Hungary in 2026?
As of early 2026, the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Budapest is approximately 280,000 HUF ($720 or €665), while a two-bedroom averages around 400,000 HUF ($1,025 or €950), though prices vary significantly by district.
The realistic rent range for a one-bedroom apartment in Hungary spans from 150,000 HUF ($385 or €355) in outer Budapest districts like Csepel (District XXI) or regional cities like Debrecen, up to 400,000 HUF ($1,025 or €950) or more in premium central Budapest neighborhoods like District V or District II.
For a two-bedroom apartment in Hungary, rents range from 200,000 HUF ($510 or €475) in affordable outer areas or regional cities, up to 550,000 HUF ($1,410 or €1,300) or more in Budapest's most desirable neighborhoods like Rozsadomb or Belvaros-Lipotvaros.
The neighborhoods offering the best value for retirees seeking affordable rent in Hungary include Angyalfold and Ujlipotvaros in District XIII, Ujbuda in District XI, and regional cities like Szeged, Pecs, and Debrecen, where you can find quality apartments at 40% to 50% below central Budapest prices.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing what are the latest rent data in Hungary.
What do utilities cost monthly in Hungary in 2026?
As of early 2026, the estimated total monthly utilities cost for a typical retiree apartment in Hungary ranges from 45,000 to 85,000 HUF ($115 to $220 or €105 to €200), with significant seasonal variation due to heating costs in winter.
The typical monthly cost breakdown for utilities in Hungary includes electricity at 15,000 to 25,000 HUF ($40 to $65 or €35 to €60), heating and gas at 15,000 to 40,000 HUF ($40 to $100 or €35 to €95) depending on season, and water and trash at 8,000 to 12,000 HUF ($20 to $30 or €20 to €30).
Internet service in Hungary typically costs 6,000 to 10,000 HUF ($15 to $25 or €15 to €25) per month for reliable high-speed connections, while mobile phone plans range from 4,000 to 12,000 HUF ($10 to $30 or €10 to €30) monthly depending on data needs.
What's the monthly food and transportation budget for one person in Hungary in 2026?
As of early 2026, the estimated combined monthly food and transportation budget for one person in Hungary ranges from 150,000 to 280,000 HUF ($385 to $720 or €355 to €665), depending heavily on lifestyle choices around cooking versus dining out.
A realistic monthly grocery budget for a single retiree cooking at home in Hungary ranges from 100,000 HUF ($255 or €235) for basic shopping at discount stores like Lidl or Aldi, up to 140,000 HUF ($360 or €330) for those buying premium ingredients at markets like the Great Market Hall.
Dining out regularly in Hungary adds significantly to food costs, with restaurant meals averaging 4,000 to 8,000 HUF ($10 to $20 or €9 to €19) per person, meaning that eating out three to four times weekly could add 60,000 to 100,000 HUF ($155 to $255 or €140 to €235) monthly to your budget.
Monthly transportation costs in Hungary range from 12,000 HUF ($30 or €30) for a Budapest public transit pass, up to 100,000 to 200,000 HUF ($255 to $510 or €235 to €475) or more if you own a car (covering fuel, insurance, parking, and maintenance).
Get fresh and reliable information about the market in Hungary
Don't base significant investment decisions on outdated data. Get updated and accurate information with our guide.
Can I retire in Hungary if I want to buy property in 2026?
What's the average home price in Hungary in 2026?
As of early 2026, the median housing price per square meter in Budapest for second-hand properties is approximately 1,350,000 HUF, which equals about $3,450 or €3,200 per square meter, meaning a typical 60-square-meter apartment costs around 81,000,000 HUF ($207,000 or €192,000).
The realistic price range for properties in Hungary spans from 950,000 HUF ($2,430 or €2,250) per square meter in outer Budapest districts like Csepel and regional cities, up to 2,500,000 HUF ($6,400 or €5,900) per square meter or more in premium Budapest neighborhoods like District V, District II (Rozsadomb), and District XII.
For retirees in Hungary, older brick apartments in District XIII (Ujlipotvaros or Angyalfold) or District XI (Ujbuda) often offer the best value, combining reasonable prices with good public transport connections, walkable neighborhoods, and access to thermal baths and parks without the premium prices of central Pest or the Buda Hills.
Please note that you will find all the information you need in our pack about properties in Hungary.
What down payment do foreigners usually need in Hungary in 2026?
As of early 2026, foreigners purchasing property in Hungary typically need a down payment of 30% to 50% of the purchase price, which means for an 80,000,000 HUF ($205,000 or €190,000) apartment, you should expect to pay 24,000,000 to 40,000,000 HUF ($61,000 to $102,000 or €57,000 to €95,000) upfront.
Foreigners in Hungary generally face higher down payment requirements than locals because Hungarian banks prefer borrowers with local income history and employment, making it harder to qualify for standard mortgage terms, and some foreign buyers choose to purchase entirely in cash to avoid financing complications.
We have a document entirely dedicated to the mortgage process in our pack about properties in Hungary.
You can also read our latest update about mortgage and interest rates in Hungary.
What's the all-in monthly cost to own in Hungary in 2026?
As of early 2026, the estimated all-in monthly cost to own a typical property in Hungary ranges from 470,000 to 860,000 HUF ($1,200 to $2,200 or €1,110 to €2,040), depending on whether you have a mortgage, your building's age, and your neighborhood.
The all-in monthly ownership costs in Hungary include mortgage payments (if applicable) averaging 200,000 to 400,000 HUF ($510 to $1,025 or €475 to €950), utilities at 50,000 to 85,000 HUF ($130 to $220 or €120 to €200), building common costs at 15,000 to 40,000 HUF ($40 to $100 or €35 to €95), and a maintenance reserve of 30,000 to 50,000 HUF ($75 to $130 or €70 to €120).
Property taxes in Hungary are relatively low compared to Western Europe, with building tax typically ranging from 10,000 to 25,000 HUF ($25 to $65 or €25 to €60) per month depending on location and property size, while HOA or common building fees average 15,000 to 40,000 HUF ($40 to $100 or €35 to €95) monthly.
The hidden ownership cost that catches new buyers off guard in Hungary is the renovation and maintenance burden in older Budapest buildings, where surprise repairs to shared infrastructure like roofs, elevators, or plumbing can result in special assessments of hundreds of thousands of forints.
By the way, we also have a blog article detailing the property taxes and fees in Hungary.
Is buying cheaper than renting in Hungary in 2026?
As of early 2026, the comparison between buying and renting in Hungary shows that monthly ownership costs (including mortgage, taxes, and maintenance) typically range from 470,000 to 700,000 HUF ($1,200 to $1,800 or €1,110 to €1,660), compared to renting a similar property at 280,000 to 400,000 HUF ($720 to $1,025 or €665 to €950), making renting cheaper in the short term.
The typical break-even point where buying becomes cheaper than renting in Hungary is approximately 7 to 10 years, assuming moderate property appreciation and stable interest rates, though Budapest's strong price growth in recent years has shortened this timeline in some districts.
For retirees in Hungary, the key factors that make buying more attractive include having a large cash down payment (reducing mortgage costs), planning to stay long-term (10+ years), and wanting to avoid rent increases, while renting remains more attractive for those still testing whether Hungary suits them, those who want flexibility to move between neighborhoods, or those who prefer to avoid the bureaucratic complexity of Hungarian property ownership.
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.
What visas, taxes, and healthcare costs should I plan for in Hungary in 2026?
What retirement visa options exist in Hungary in 2026?
As of early 2026, Hungary does not have a dedicated retirement visa program like Portugal's D7 visa, so foreign retirees typically obtain residency through the Golden Visa (Guest Investor Program) requiring a minimum investment of €250,000 in a real estate fund, or through other residence permit categories like family reunification or the White Card for digital nomads.
The key financial requirements for obtaining residency in Hungary include proving sufficient funds to support yourself (typically demonstrated through bank statements showing savings of at least 4,000,000 HUF or $10,250 or €9,500), having valid health insurance, and providing proof of accommodation through a rental agreement or property ownership.
The typical annual visa renewal cost in Hungary for standard residence permits is approximately 25,000 HUF ($64 or €60) for the renewal application fee, plus ongoing costs for maintaining health insurance and proving continued financial means, with the process requiring an in-person visit to immigration authorities in Budapest.
The most common visa mistake foreign retirees encounter in Hungary is assuming that a simple "retirement visa" exists when it does not, leading to confusion and wasted time researching options that are not available, when the actual pathways require either significant investment or demonstrating other grounds for residency like employment or family ties.
Please note that we keep this page updated with the residency pathways in Hungary.
Do I pay tax on foreign income in Hungary in 2026?
As of early 2026, if you become a tax resident of Hungary (typically by spending 183 days or more in the country), you are subject to Hungarian personal income tax at a flat rate of 15% on your worldwide income, including foreign pensions, investment income, and rental income from abroad.
In Hungary, foreign pension income is generally exempt from personal income tax, both for private pensions and government pensions, which is favorable for retirees, while dividend income and capital gains are taxed at the flat 15% rate, though specific exemptions may apply to certain government bond interest and long-held investments.
Hungary has an extensive network of double taxation treaties with over 80 countries, which can reduce or eliminate double taxation on foreign income, though retirees should note that the treaty between Hungary and the United States was terminated as of 2024, potentially creating tax complications for American retirees.
The single most important tax rule foreign retirees should understand before moving to Hungary is that tax residency triggers worldwide income taxation, so if you plan to spend more than half the year in Hungary, you should consult with a tax professional to understand how your specific income types will be treated and whether any treaty benefits apply.
What health insurance do retirees need in Hungary in 2026?
As of early 2026, retirees in Hungary typically need private health insurance costing 40,000 to 150,000 HUF ($100 to $385 or €95 to €355) per month, since while public healthcare exists through the National Health Insurance Fund (NEAK), access depends on contribution status and wait times for specialists can be long.
Foreigners in Hungary can access public healthcare if they are legally resident and either paying into the social security system or covered through a bilateral agreement, but many expats and retirees choose private insurance or pay out-of-pocket for faster access to English-speaking doctors and shorter wait times at private clinics like FirstMed or Medicover.
A realistic total annual healthcare budget for a retiree in Hungary ranges from 1,200,000 to 4,200,000 HUF ($3,100 to $10,750 or €2,850 to €9,950), which includes monthly insurance premiums of 600,000 to 1,800,000 HUF ($1,540 to $4,600 or €1,420 to €4,260) annually, plus out-of-pocket costs for medications, dental care, and specialist visits that may not be fully covered.
Buying real estate in Hungary can be risky
An increasing number of foreign investors are showing interest. However, 90% of them will make mistakes. Avoid the pitfalls with our comprehensive guide.
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 and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why It's Authoritative | How We Used It |
|---|---|---|
| Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH) | Hungary's official national statistics agency responsible for primary economic and housing data. | We used KSH as our backbone for inflation, housing prices, and rent indexes. We treated it as the highest-trust baseline for validating all private market figures. |
| European Commission Hungary Economic Forecast | Official EU forecast used in policy and macro planning across member states. | We used it for realistic inflation expectations going into 2026. We applied these projections to set conservative safety buffers for retirement planning. |
| Hungarian National Bank (MNB) | Hungary's central bank publishing inflation time series based on official KSH inputs. | We used it as a second official cross-check on inflation trends. We avoided relying solely on media summaries by verifying against MNB data directly. |
| Hungarian Tax Authority (NAV) | Hungary's official tax authority and primary source for resident tax treatment. | We used it to answer tax questions from an official source. We avoided unreliable expat tax advice by starting with NAV documentation. |
| PwC Hungary Tax Summaries | Major international tax reference used by professionals and updated frequently. | We used it to cross-check NAV rules and add interpretive clarity. We highlighted areas where double-tax treaties and income types create complexity. |
| Global Property Guide Hungary | Long-running international housing research site that cites official sources directly. | We used it as a bridge between hard statistics and practical interpretation. We referenced it specifically because it compiles KSH and market data in one place. |
| Numbeo Budapest | Transparent crowd-sourced price database useful for everyday budget planning. | We used it to translate Hungary costs into practical monthly budgets retirees can imagine. We only used Numbeo after validating it against KSH inflation data. |
| Expatriate Healthcare Hungary | Specialist resource focused on expat health insurance options and costs. | We used it to build realistic healthcare budget ranges. We cross-referenced with other sources to ensure our estimates reflect actual retiree spending patterns. |
| Immigrant Invest Hungary | Immigration services firm providing detailed residence permit guidance and fee schedules. | We used it for residence permit costs and practical visa pathway information. We verified key claims against official government sources. |
| Global Citizen Solutions Hungary | Comprehensive retirement and relocation advisory with regularly updated country guides. | We used it for practical retirement planning context. We referenced their cost comparisons and lifestyle guidance to validate our own estimates. |
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.
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