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Moving to Hungary is choosing a country that offers great opportunities and the chance to enjoy a very different lifestyle with one of the many companies based there. It is also an ideal country for people to move to at retirement age, with a diverse mix of culture and countryside. It is therefore not surprising that removals to Hungary have picked up over the last few years. To prepare yourself for the adventure that lies ahead, find out more about the country by reading our guide below.
Hungary is surrounded by seven other nations and lies within Central Europe. It is a small landlocked country with a population of just over 10 million. Despite being part of the EU, Hungary has retained its currency, the forint (sign: Ft; code: HUF).
Budapest is the capital city of Hungary. It remains a top tourist destination and offers a blend of 19th-century culture and modern bars, restaurants, spas and museums. Alongside the cities, Hungary has a stunning countryside. It is ideal to hike, ride or cycle, as well as to swim in the natural lakes.
Hungary is a fascinating country, occupying the spot in Europe where the west meets the east. Here are some little-known facts about the country:
Although Hungary is landlocked you can still enjoy a day at the beach. Visit Lake Balaton, a body of water which is so large it’s often known as The Hungarian Sea
They are a nation of quirky inventors; past creations include the Rubik Cube and the biro
If you touch the pen of the mighty Anonymus statue in Budapest City Park, legend has it that you’ll become a talented writer
Harry Houdini was born in Hungary
The nation’s top tipple is Pálinka, a fruit brandy. It allegedly cures everything from headaches to menstrual cramps.
Hungary joined the EU in 2004, which means any national from one of the member states does not need a visa to live or work within the country.
As Hungary is also part of the Schengen zone, anyone who holds a visa for the Schengen countries can automatically enter Hungary. People originating from outside the EU will need a different visa if they plan on staying longer than 90 days, or if they wish to work during their stay. There are different types of visas available, and they all have different processing times. You may have to wait up to 60 days for some of them, so make sure you apply well in advance of when you will need it.
The nation speaks Hungarian. Known domestically as Magyar, it is unrelated to any of the languages you can hear in the surrounding countries but bears a passing resemblance to Estonian and Finnish. English and German are the most commonly spoken foreign languages. If you are moving to Hungary, you really should learn Hungarian. It is best to enrol in a language school as Hungarian is a challenging tongue to master.
When you need to get around after moving to Hungary, there are several options available.
If you already hold a full driving licence, you can drive legally in Hungary. If you obtained this license from a country outside the EU, you could drive for a maximum of one year before you need, by law, to exchange it for a Hungarian one. In Hungary, cars drive on the right-hand side of the road, in keeping with the rest of mainland Europe. The minimum age for drivers is 17 years old, and everyone must always wear a seatbelt.
The road network in Hungary is well maintained and modern. Although you’ll find very few motorways in the country, dual carriageways connect towns that are far from each other. Don’t even consider speeding in Hungary: The police enforce the limits very strictly and will hand an on-the-spot fine to anyone they catch breaking them.
As an alternative to driving, there’s a decent public transport system. The metro system is the second oldest in the world, only predated by the Underground in London. Even at off-peak times, the metro system regularly runs, with trains approximately every 10 minutes. There is also a comprehensive over ground train system, the hub of which lies within Budapest. Trains run to the airport as well as other countries, with sleeper cars available. These are a safe form of transport.
Within the main cities, trams or trolleys are a favourite way to get around, together with the metro. Buses are the primary way of travelling long distances. As Hungarians seem to prefer them to trains, you will find them quite crowded most of the time.
When moving to Hungary, it’s a good idea to use an International moving company with experience of organising relocations to Hungary. This way you will benefit from the best advice from experts who have made the trip many times before.
Hungary moving requirements are quite severe when it comes to import and customs. Although overall you can import items for your personal use, there is a strict rule that you must take them with you when you exit the country and must not sell them in the meantime. On top of the standard list of restrictions on items that you can import, Hungary has some extra rules: You can only bring in a limited amount of sports equipment, such as one tent, one bike and two tennis rackets. You can import electronics but will have to pay relevant duty, just like jewellery and perfume. There are other restrictions too; your international removals company will be able to provide a comprehensive list.
European Moving transports goods to Hungary regularly, particularly to the Budapest region. However, it is a country with stricter controls than elsewhere, so you’ll need to make sure you’ve done your homework in advance.
Whether you choose our Load & Go or our EasyMoves solution, European Moving can help you with your removal. We shall be able to help you with the full list of restrictions that apply to removals to Hungary and also provide advice on a whole range of removal issues you may not have encountered before.