- Home
-
Guide
Budapest, Hungary 🇭🇺
#804
,
Nomad Score:
73%
Essentials
🏙️ City | Budapest is the capital city of Hungary, located along the Danube River, known for its stunning architecture and vibrant culture. |
👥 Population | Approximate population is 1.75 million. |
💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 70 Mbps. |
💸 Currency & Banking | Currency is Hungarian Forint (HUF); 1 EUR ≈ 400 HUF. |
🚰 Tap Water | Tap water is drinkable and of good quality. |
🔌 Power | Electricity is 230V, 50Hz, with Type C/E sockets. |
📶 SIM Card | Major providers include Telekom, Vodafone, and Yettel, offering competitive prepaid plans. |
💳 Banking for Expats | Popular services include Revolut and local banks like OTP and K&H. |
🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, Spotahome, and various local rental agencies. |
💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are widely accepted; mobile payments are common. |
🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and Vrbo are popular for short term stays. |
🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Oasis and Maverick City Lodge offer affordable lodging. |
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | District V (Belváros) for proximity to attractions like the Parliament and St. Stephen's Basilica. |
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | District VII (Jewish Quarter) for its vibrant atmosphere and coworking spaces. |
Working and Networking
🏢 Best Coworking Space | Impact Hub Budapest located in District VII. |
☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café Csiga in District VI, known for its cozy atmosphere and free Wi-Fi. |
💼 Networking Events | Meetups and tech events can be found on platforms like Meetup.com and Eventbrite. |
🥂 Social Events for Expats | Join the Budapest Expat Meetup group on Facebook for community gatherings. |
Transportation
🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Bolt and FreeNow are the top ride-hailing services. |
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Bikesharing services like MOL Bubi are available. |
🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Lake Balaton, approximately 1.5 hours away by train. |
✈️ Top Regional Airline | Wizz Air is a major low-cost regional airline. |
✈️ Top International Airline | Lufthansa and KLM operate frequent flights. |
🛣️ Highway Access | M1 and M7 are main connections to other parts of Hungary. |
🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Nyugati Railway Station serves as a primary hub for domestic and international travel. |
🚍 Public Transport Passes | Budapest offers monthly passes for public transport at approx. 9,500 HUF. |
✈️ Regional Travel | Train and bus services operated by MÁV (Hungarian Railways) cover all major cities. |
Health and Wellness
🏥 Best Hospital | Semmelweis University and its hospitals are well-regarded for healthcare. |
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Home and Ashtanga Yoga Budapest are popular studios. |
🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness Company and McFIT offer gym facilities across the city. |
🧺 Laundry Services | Laundromat in District VII called Szép Nép for self-service laundry. |
Food and Drink
📱 Best Food Delivery App | Wolt and Bolt Food are popular for food delivery. |
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Gulyás (goulash) is a must-try traditional dish. |
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Great places include Eklektika and Napfényes Restaurant. |
🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Ruszwurm Confectionery offers famous traditional cakes. |
🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Great Market Hall (Nagyvásárcsarnok) for fresh produce and local foods. |
🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Alza and Media Markt are popular online marketplaces. |
🛒 Grocery Delivery | Kifli.hu offers grocery delivery services. |
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Ruin bars in District VII, like Szimpla Kert, are a popular nightlife destination. |
🍻 Local Brewery | Funky Kólás is a local brewery known for craft beers. |
🍷 Wine Bars | Kadarka Wine Bar is known for its extensive selection. |
🍲 Street Food Stalls | Karaván Street Food offers various local and international options. |
🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants like Tandoori and Pizza King serve diverse international dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Fisherman's Bastion and Buda Castle are essential visits. |
🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Hungarian National Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts are significant cultural sites. |
🏰 Historical Sites | Heroes' Square and the Chain Bridge are key historical sites. |
🕍 Religious Sites | St. Stephen's Basilica and the Great Synagogue are important places of worship in Budapest. |
🎉 Annual Events | The Budapest Wine Festival held every September is a major event. |
🎨 Cultural Districts | District VII is renowned for its cultural vibrancy and arts scene. |
🎭 Theater Venues | The Hungarian State Opera House is a must-visit theater. |
🛍️ Local Markets | The Central Market Hall offers a glimpse into local culture and cuisine. |
🎼 Music Scene | Major venues include A38 Ship and Akvárium Klub for concerts. |
🎨 Street Art | Various locations in District VII feature striking street art. |
🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Hungarian Cooking Classes by Chefparade are popular among locals and tourists. |
👩🎨 Art Galleries | The Capa Center serves as a contemporary photography gallery. |
🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Parliament Building is a prominent historic landmark. |
🏴 Local Heritage | Hungary is known for its unique folk traditions and cuisine. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Buda Hills are a short transit from the city for hiking and nature exploration. |
🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Duna-Dráva National Park is around 2 hours away and offers rich wildlife. |
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Danube River promenade offers scenic paths for walking and cycling. |
🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Gellért Hill provides fantastic panoramic views of the city. |
🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Danube Island is a good spot for birdwatching, especially during migration seasons. |
🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Certain parks like Normafa allow bonfires in designated areas. |
Other Services and Amenities
📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and Hungarian Post offer reliable parcel delivery services. |
🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Trust Tech and iFix offer device repair services across the city. |
🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Budapesti Asztalitenisz Szövetség organizes local tournaments. |
🧑🏫 Language Classes | Babel Language School offers Hungarian language courses. |
📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Szabó Ervin Library is a central resource and study spot. |
🏘️ Community Centers | KÖZ-Pont Community Center hosts various cultural events. |
🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Game Over is a popular venue for gaming lovers. |
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Las Vegas Casino Budapest offers gaming and entertainment options. |
Business
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €120,000) in District V. |
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €88,000) in suburban areas. |
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €168,000) in District VI. |
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €120,000) in suburban districts. |
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €200,000) in central locations. |
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €1,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €144,000) outside the city. |
💼 Corporate Tax | The corporate tax rate is at 9%, one of the lowest in Europe. |
💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | The tax rate on dividends is 15%. |
🏦 Tax System | Hungary operates on a residency-based tax system. |
📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | The maximum personal income tax rate is 15%. |
🧾 VAT | Standard Value Added Tax rate is 27%, the highest in the EU. |
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, there are regulations on taxation of foreign subsidiaries. |
🏠 Property Tax | Annual property taxes are based on local government assessments. |
🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Tax applied during property purchases is generally 4%. |
💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Hungary offers various incentives for digital nomads, including special tax arrangements. |