The Essentials Guide Budapest - Excerpt

1B U D A P E S T

ESSENTIALSTHE

GUIDE

WWW.NORDANGLIA.COM/BUDAPEST

FIRSTEDITION

B U D A P E S T

ESSENTIALSTHE

GUIDE


Essentials Guide Budapest 1st Edition

Copyright © Nord Anglia 2011All Rights Reserved

Chief Editor - Travis MurrayPrimary Design - Valle [email protected] Design - Travis MurrayPrimary Copywriting - William LowerSecondary Copywriting - Susan JefferiesCopyediting / Proofreading - Aelred DoyleSecondary Copyediting - Alexandra Fekete

While every possible effort has been taken to ensure that the facts contained within this guide are accurate, Nord Anglia cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions that this guide may contain.

No part of this guide may be reproduced or distributed, by electronic means or any other, without the prior permission of Nord Anglia Ltd.

B U D A P E S T

ESSENTIALSTHE

GUIDE


LIVING INBUDAPEST

Health and Wellness p 136

Eating and Drinking p 138

Shopping p 146

Neighbourhood Descriptions p 154

Conclusion p 162

Maps p 170

PREPARING TO GO

Introduction p 8

History p 20

Culture p 24

Geography andCityscape p 28

Demographics p 29

Country Map p 30

Language p 32

Climate p 33

Regional Map p 34

Administrative Preparations p 36

Address, Phone and Finances p 38

Embassies p 40

Books, Films and Music p 44

WHEN YOU ARRIVE

Landing p 50

Getting Around p 52

Money and Banking p 58

Getting Connected p 60

Health Care p 64

Temporary Accommodation p 68

Finding Housing p 74

Getting Settled p 80

Culture Shock p 82

Education p 87

Education Supplement p 94

TABLE OF CONTENTS

www.nordanglia.com/budapest

helping others thrive

Education and learning have always been our focus and our area of expertise. Our people and the people we work with all have a good understanding of what this means to us. We aim to provide students with the opportunity to be the best they can be.

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Moving to Budapest? If so, you’re about to call one of the most beautiful cities in the world home. It’s also home to one of

the world’s most challenging languages, which may seem daunting at first. However, most Hungarians recognise their mother tongue’s complexity and don’t expect foreigners to learn much more than the basics. The most important phrase in any language? “Thank you.” Köszönöm!

Introduction

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When you first arrive you’ll likely be swept away by the city’s architectural beauty. You may also find that Hungarians are more formal than you’re accustomed to. For the most part, they’re very polite; that may even catch you off your guard at first. You’ll get used to it. Some expats have said that after being in Budapest for some time and then returning home, the first thing that strikes them is how rude everyone seems.

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There are two main groups of expats in Budapest: those here on a posting or transfer for an average of three years, and those

who have moved here on a more permanent basis. The latter group often comprises expats married to Hungarians. However, don’t be surprised to hear some expats say things like “I came here for three weeks ten years ago.” Such can be the allure of Budapest.

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Whether here to work, study or both, living in Budapest will not only add spice to your life (literally, as the paprika capital

of the world), it will undoubtedly add spice to your CV. Although it’s a small country of only 10 million, many of its educational institutions are world-renowned. It’s also a cultural cornucopia, with everything from world-class opera and folk art to a thriving visual arts community. Of course, as with living anywhere, there are challenges.

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To the newcomer, the bureaucracy may feel on one day comedic, on the next crippling. You won’t be the only one to recognise this. Most Hungarians do too. But it’s improving.

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This Essentials Guide Budapest was created and designed to help you prepare for your move and to provide assistance with the

essentials once you arrive. The expat community in Budapest is strong and close and readily embraces newcomers. Budapest is culturally rich and home to exceptional international schools, and you’ll have access to all Western-style amenities. Since it’s literally the centre of Europe, there’s no better place to explore not just a new country, but an entire continent.

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19THE ESSENTIALS GUIDE BUDAPEST

PREPARING TO GO

CONTENTS

Preparing to go will be as much a mental journey as it will be a practical one. Understanding more about the culture you are about

to encounter will help prepare you for the experience. You can read a book or watch a movie we recommend or you can engage in your own research. Either way, the process will reward you.

The practical aspects of preparation are, of course, vital to ensuring that your journey begins on a positive note. This section will help you prepare on both fronts.

History p 20

Culture p 24

Geography and Cityscape p 28

Demographics p 29

Country Map p 30

Language p 32

Climate p 33

Regional Map p 34

Administrative Preparations p 36

Address, Phone and Finances p 38

Embassies p 40

Books, Films and Music p 44

INT

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THE ESSENTIALS GUIDE BUDAPEST

HistoryHungary is a country with especially rich culture and traditions, and is the birthplace of numerous outstanding performers, composers (such as Franz Liszt, Zoltán Kodály) and inventors (Ernő Rubik, László Biró and many others).

Hungary as a nation has survived many highs and lows in its turbulent but fascinating history. After centuries as a powerful medieval kingdom, Hungary became part of the Ottoman and then Habsburg empires from the 16th century onwards. After a period of turmoil following World War I, Hungary emerged as an independent, though in size smaller, country.

The Hungarian language belongs to the Finno-Ugric family and is one of the handful of languages spoken within the European Union that are not of Indo-European origin.

Hungary traces its history back to the Magyars, an alliance of semi-nomadic tribes from southern Russia and the Black Sea coast that arrived in the region in the ninth century. The foundation was laid by the great Magyar chief Árpád, who settled in the Carpathian Basin, and his great-great-grandson Prince Géza, who was keen to integrate Hungary into Western Europe by adopting Christianity. His son Stephen followed his father’s wishes and ordered one in every ten villages to build a church and maintain its priests. On Christmas Day, Stephen ascended to the throne with a crown sent from Rome by Pope Sylvester II. The kingdom and nation of Hungary was born. The first king of Hungary extended his control over Transylvania and replaced the tribal political structure with a system of counties. Furthermore, by claiming all territory not occupied by freemen as property of the crown, Stephen created the basis for the Hungarian monarchy’s future wealth and power.

The 300-year reign of the House of Árpád (until 1301) saw the country become prosperous and increasingly westward-looking. During Béla III’s reign the Árpád dynasty achieved the peak of its power. Having derived great wealth from its crown lands, the dynasty gained control of Serbia and Galicia and made Hungary a large and formidable power in central Eastern Europe. After Béla’s death the monarchy suffered a decline. His ancestors reduced the source of the kingdom’s wealth and power by guaranteeing the liberty of the nobles (Golden Bull 1222) and allowing them to gain control of the county governments. In 1241-1242, the Hungarian army was defeated at the Battle of Muhi by the Mongols (Tatars); Béla IV of Hungary fled the country, and a large part of the population died. However, returning to

HISTORY

Hungarians are a very proud people

with a memory as long as their

history.

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HISTORY

Hungary, he encouraged reconstruction and ordered strongly fortified stone castles to be built throughout the kingdom.

After the death of the last Hungarian king of the Árpád Royal family, the succeeding House of Anjou brought expansion – into Poland, towards Dalmatia – and a great flowering of art and architecture.

King Matthias (1458-1490), lauded for his fairness and justice, was elected king by the Parliament. This was the first time in the medieval Hungarian kingdom that a member of the nobility had mounted the royal throne. During his reign, Matthias reduced the power of the feudal lords, and ruled instead with a cadre of talented and highly educated individuals. He reformed the legislative system. Though he raised taxes during his kingship, he reduced the power of the oligarchs and developed a centralised administration. He organised the Black Army, which became the most powerful and effective army in Eastern and Central Europe that was loyal to the king. Mátyás was educated by some of the best scholars of the time and became fluent in many languages. Due to his extensive education he became known as a patron of learning and of the arts. He established two universities, the University of Buda and a university in Pozsony (Bratislava), and introduced the Renaissance to Hungary. He also founded his library, the Bibliotheca Corvina, within his palace in Buda, with the biggest collection in Europe.

After Mátyás’ death Hungary’s wealth and power declined. In 1526 the Ottomans won a decisive victory over the Hungarian army at the battle of Mohács and 150 years of Turkish occupation started. The Turks occupied Buda and Hungary was split into three parts. The Habsburgs governed the western part of the country, the central area was ruled by the Turks and only the south-east Transylvanian principality remained Hungarian. During these times, Hungary began to undergo changes. Vast lands remained unpopulated and the life of the inhabitants on the Ottoman side was unsafe. Hungary was a drain on the Ottoman Empire, swallowing much of its revenue on the maintenance of a long chain of border forts. The defeat of Ottoman forces with Habsburg military help in 1683 was the decisive event that marked the beginning of the fall of the Ottoman Empire, and ultimately swung the balance of power in the region. The Habsburgs, an influential dynasty of the Holy Roman Empire, were elected Kings of Hungary.

The Habsburg take-over of Hungary was met with Hungarian resistance in the 1701-11 War of Independence, but Hungary remained under Habsburg control. As a result the Hungarian nation became politically,

King Matthias organised the Black Army, which became the most powerful and effective army in Eastern and Central Europe.

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HISTORY

Heroes’ Square, Budapest

In 1873, the old capital Buda and

Óbuda (Ancient Buda) were

officially merged with the third city, Pest, thus creating the new metropolis

of Budapest.

economically and culturally marginalised in its own country. A revolution to reform the country, followed by another War of Independence, broke out in 1848-49, defeated by Russian intervention. In 1867 came the Austro-Hungarian compromise, granting Hungary domestic self-rule, although ministries of finance, foreign affairs and war remained under Habsburg control. This “age of dualism” sparked an economic, cultural and intellectual rebirth in Hungary and impressive economic development. The formerly backward Hungarian economy became relatively modern and industrialised by the turn of the century, although agriculture remained dominant until 1890. In 1873, the old capital Buda and Óbuda (Ancient Buda) were officially merged with the third city, Pest, thus creating the new metropolis of Budapest.

The redrawing of European borders following World War I partitioned Hungary into almost one-third its original size, and millions of ethnic Hungarians found themselves living outside the country. Russian intervention followed after World War II and the country found itself under communist rule as Stalinism lowered the iron curtain across central Eastern Europe. An uprising against Soviet domination in 1956 was crushed by Red Army forces, but Hungary did later become the first Eastern European country to gain some economic freedom. It embraced aspects of the free market while still under communist rule and in 1968 the authorities allowed limited decentralisation of the economy. Hungary played an important part in accelerating the collapse of communism across Eastern Europe when in 1989 it opened its border with Austria, allowing thousands of East Germans to escape to the West. Hungary’s post-communist economic transition was achieved relatively smoothly. Within four years of the collapse of communism nearly half of the country’s economic enterprises had been transferred to the private sector, and by 1998 Hungary was attracting nearly half of all foreign direct investment in its region. Ten years later, the picture looked rather less rosy. A high level of both private and state borrowing left the country particularly vulnerable to the credit crunch of 2008.

Hungary now combines a smiling, dynamic image with a reputation for nostalgia. In this post-communist era of rapid change, the visitor will find constant reminders of a largely vanished Europe – old-fashioned customs and courtesies like kissing of hands and the presentation of flowers. Nowadays modern Hungary is experiencing a new Renaissance, and a 21st-century mix of ethnic influences that was almost eerily predicted by Saint Stephen, Hungary’s first king: “Therefore I command you my son, to extend a benevolent protection and respect towards newcomers, so that they would rather stay with you instead of settling somewhere else.”

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HISTORY

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CULTURE

Culture

Hungarians are a fascinating people. Reserved and somewhat formal, it sometimes appears that the twentieth century, with its relaxation

of social niceties, passed them by. Social interactions are extremely polite and vigorous handshaking or kissing on both cheeks are common practices, as is a deference to older people, although this is slowly eroding with the onslaught of Western influences.

Hungary has a highly educated society and, according to the World Factbook, it has a higher literacy rate than Canada, the US or the UK. The people are prolific readers and Hungary has produced more Nobel Prize winners per capita than any other nation. There are state-funded and private universities, technical schools, religious educational institutions and private and state-funded colleges to choose from, mainly in the capital, although there are well-known institutions in larger towns across the country as well.

In addition to being well educated, Hungarians are highly cultured, with the arts an integral part of everyday life. The government ensures they are accessible to all and it’s not uncommon to see people of all age groups and socio-economic backgrounds at the opera. Theatres, museums and art galleries can be found throughout the city and are all well-attended.

Hungarians have a tendency towards melancholy and even their national anthem attests that they are a people “torn by fate”. The fact that they have one of the world’s highest suicide rates would seem to confirm this inclination to gloom and despair, a characteristic of which they are well aware. They are fiercely proud of their heritage and some even to this day bemoan the loss of two-thirds of their country almost a century ago. National holidays include 1848 Revolution Day (March 15), Saint Stephen’s Day (August 20) and the 1956 Uprising Memorial Day (October 23). These are significant events, and wreaths are laid at the feet of statues, which are everywhere, or at prominent sites around the country.

Hungary is predominantly a Roman Catholic country but, as in many Western countries, church attendance is in decline. Easter is the most important religious holiday, followed by Christmas and Whit Monday. The ball season lasts from early January through to Ash Wednesday, and Carnival Season (Farsang) celebrates the end of winter throughout February. An interesting outing on November 1 is to go to a cemetery, as graves are decorated with flowers and candles on the Day of the Dead – a far cry from the trick-or-treating which takes place in the UK and North America. While birthdays are usually celebrated with family and close friends, name days are often celebrated more publicly, in the workplace for example.

Hungary has produced more

Nobel Prize winners per capita

than any other nation.

Hungarians are fiercely proud

of their heritage and to this day

bemoan the loss of two-thirds of their country almost a

century ago.

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CULTURE

Approximately two-thirds of Hungarians now live in towns or cities, but traditional culture continues to be celebrated and folk arts and crafts continue to be available. Hungary has one of the richest folk art traditions in Europe, excelling in weaving, embroidery, pottery, woodcarving and furniture making. Although old customs are inevitably losing some of their allure with younger generations, these crafts can be found at every festival and at tourist attractions around the city.

For the most part, Hungarians meet their friends and entertain outside the home in cafes and restaurants. Being invited to dine at a Hungarian’s home is a compliment and often a more formal affair than in some other countries. Flowers, chocolates and wine should be given as gifts, and be prepared for a plentiful meal, as hospitality is often measured by the amount of food served.

Drinking plays an important role in Hungarian social life, with wine (from the world famous Tokaj or Eger for example) and pálinka (fruit brandy) the most popular beverages. Drinking coffee is also a popular way to start one’s morning, serving an almost medicinal purpose for some.

Hungarian men can still be quite sexist in their attitudes, but many expats note that Hungarian women are strong and often seem to rule the roost. Families tend to have a much closer relationship with each other than in some other cultures and children are often said to be at the centre of Hungarian society.

Most of Budapest was built in the 19th and 20th century, with broad boulevards and stunning architecture. Some buildings still feature bullet holes left from the Second World War, while others are beautifully renovated to maintain the image of the city. Budapest itself is a safer city than many other European capitals; children, for example, can safely travel unaccompanied on public transport to and from school, and while you must always exercise caution, the likelihood of being attacked on a main street at night remains low.

Per capita alcohol consumption in Hungary is only exceeded by Ireland and Luxembourg.

The famous embroidery from Kalocsa is often used and worn even today, and the technique is passed on from generation to generation.

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GEOGRAPHY AND CITYSCAPE

Geography and Cityscape

The Republic of Hungary occupies the Carpathian Basin and its capital, Budapest, is at the geographical centre of Europe, making it an ideal

spot from which to explore the rest of the continent. Budapest is a large yet livable city, covering 525 square kilometres. It’s divided in two by the Danube River (Duna), with Buda, comprising one-third of the city, on the western bank and Pest, comprising the other two-thirds, on the eastern. Their geography couldn’t be more different – Buda sits on nine hills while Pest is completely flat, lying on the western edge of the Great Plain. There are also a number of islands in the Danube which are part of the city; the main one, Margit Island, has been turned into a beautiful park, complete with its own thermal pools and jogging trails criss-crossing the island. No cars are permitted on the island to keep pollution minimal, but you can use the number 26 bus or the little tourist train (kisvonat) to take a tour around the island if you don’t fancy a walk.

I. Castle DistrictII. RózsadombIII. ÓbudaIV. ÚjpestV. BelvárosVI. TérézvárosVII. ErzsébetvárosVIII. JózsefvárosIX. FerencvárosX. KöbányaXI. ÚjbudaXII. HegyvidékXIII. AngyalföldXIV. ZuglóXV. RákospalotaXVI. MátyásföldXVII. RákosmenteXVIII. Pestszentlörinc-PestszentimreXIX. KispestXX. PesterzsébetXXI. CsepelXXII. Budafok-TétényXXIII. Soroksár

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V VI VII

VIII

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Budapest is at the geographical centre of Europe,

making it an ideal spot from which to explore the rest of

the continent.

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DEMOGRAPHICS

Buda is the preferred home of most expats with children, with private homes, villas and small residential buildings sprawling over the tree-covered, rolling hills. Pest, on the other hand, tends to attract young, childless couples and empty-nesters, lured by restaurants and cultural attractions. The city is divided into 23 districts, each with its own local government, numbered clockwise in widening circles. They’re named with Roman numerals (I-XXIII). The lower the number, the closer to the city core; the higher the number, the further out. Postcodes have four digits; the two middle digits tell you the district. For example, 1037 is in District III.

There are a total of 11 bridges linking Buda and Pest, eight of them well-known. In Pest, the main thoroughfares radiate out from the Danube, crossing the ring roads, with the streets in between in a grid pattern. In Buda, main roads tend to follow the valleys between the hills, with winding streets in the upper reaches. Remember that the same street name can be found in many different districts (and in cities throughout the country), so be sure you always know the district of your destination.

Demographics

Hungary’s population is just under 10 million, with Budapest home to 2 million. Over 90 percent are ethnically Magyar (Hungarian)

and minorities include Germans, Serbs and other South Slavs, Slovaks and Romanians. Roma are about 7 percent of the population and their integration is an ongoing challenge, as for many nations in Europe. The expat population of Budapest is estimated to be over 200,000.

The expat population of Budapest is estimated to be over 200,000.

Crowd in central Budapest

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hungary

31

legend

county seat

speedway

freeway

Main Highway

Secondary HIghway

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LANGUAGE

Language

Hungarian is in the Ugric group of the Uralic family of languages and differs dramatically in vocabulary and structure from Indo-European

languages. It’s very distantly related to both Finnish and Estonian, but only in terms of grammar structure – vocabulary is completely different. It’s said to be one of the most difficult languages in the world to learn, and is only spoken by approximately 14 million people worldwide. It’s very poetic and some literal translations bear a resemblance to 18th-century English. Hungarians consider it the most beautiful language in the world.

Hungarian has 44 letters, with 14 vowel sounds and 25 consonant sounds, many not found in English. The sounds remain consistent, so if you take the time to learn them you’ll almost always be able to pronounce a word. The stress is always on the first syllable, but there may be another if the word is a compound one – these are numerous and can present a challenge when you try to locate them in the dictionary. To give you an idea, the longest word in Hungarian is reputed to be legeslegmegszentségteleníttethetetlenebbjeitekkent. While not used in regular conversation, it’s easily understandable by Hungarians.

Most English-speaking expats don’t take the time to learn Hungarian, as it will probably never be used elsewhere. The one benefit of the difficulty of the language is that it tends to make the expat community much tighter. People have a greater need to rely on one another for information and assistance that they cannot obtain from locals; unfortunately, they’re also less likely to establish significant social relationships with Hungarians.

Remember you’re a guest in this country; apologise for not speaking the language before asking if someone speaks English (Angol). Learning the most common everyday phrases is a good idea, and most Hungarians are very appreciative when one attempts to converse with them. Pronunciation can be exceedingly problematic, so don’t be surprised if you’re met with a blank stare or a broad smile when you speak – many of the sounds are quite unlike anything in English! As ever, practice makes perfect.

There are many language schools, but if you choose not to study, you’ll still get by. You’ll gradually learn to recognise common words in supermarkets, shops, restaurants and the transit system, and carrying a pocket dictionary can also be helpful. There’s usually at least one staff member who speaks good English in expat shops, and usually someone with a little English just about everywhere in Budapest. German is the next most common second language, with Italian, Spanish and French much rarer. In the countryside, English-speakers become much rarer. Don’t forget that dictionary!

Hungarian is said to be one of

the most difficult languages in the

world to learn, and is only spoken by approximately 14 million people

worldwide.

Most English-speaking expats

don’t take the time to learn

Hungarian, as it will probably never

be used elsewhere.

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CLIMATE

Hungary is the meeting point of three climactic zones: the Oceanic, Continental and Mediterranean.

Climate

Hungary has a temperate climate and Budapest lies in the Continental climatic zone, one of three in the country. Winters are generally

not too severe, with temperatures seldom dipping below -10 Celsius and averaging -3 to +3 from December through February. Snowfall varies but is generally pretty minimal in Pest and melts fairly quickly, while the Buda Hills can see significant accumulation. Winter does tend to be very damp and grey, with sunny days few and far between.

By March the temperature is beginning to climb, with an average high reaching 12 degrees, and by May Budapest is into the 20s. Early spring is a beautiful season but late spring (May and June) sees the most rainfall. Summers are quite hot but are not particularly humid, with average highs ranging from 25 in June to 27 in July and August, with temperatures in the mid-30s not uncommon. September is usually a gorgeous month, with the least precipitation and temperatures in the mid-teens to low twenties. October is also quite pleasant, but by November the clouds and rainfall return and highs average 8 degrees.

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DecNovOctSepAugJulyJuneMayAprMarFebJan

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49

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70

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91

Millim

etres of Precipitation

Ave

rage

Dai

ly H

igh

in ºC

elsi

us

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ADMINISTRATIVE PREPARATIONS

General

A valid passport is required by all people entering Hungary and it’s important to remember that your passport must be valid for at least

another six months after the expiration date of any mandatory Hungarian work or residence permits. A visa may or may not be required, depending on whether your home country has a bilateral agreement with Hungary. If you’re not sure, check with the Hungarian Consulate in your home country.

It’s recommended that you bring all of the following documents, which may be necessary to meet legal, employment or educational requirements.

• Birth certificate• Marriage certificate• Diplomas and CV• Children’s school records • Medical records• Vaccination schedules• Driving licence• Proof of health insurance• Employment contract (if applicable)• Lease agreement / purchase contract (if accommodation has been

secured before your arrival)

If your company doesn’t provide assistance obtaining work or residence permits, hiring the services of a relocation company is strongly recommended. Meeting the bureaucratic requirements to get the mandatory Hungarian documentation can be a complex, time-consuming process, with the challenge compounded by the fact that many government personnel have limited English, if any at all. Regulations can and do change frequently. Hiring a relocation company will help ensure that your application meets current requirements, and could save you time and frustration.

Non-EU citizensWork permitEveryone other than EU citizens or spouses of Hungarian citizens needs a work permit to be employed in Hungary. Most of the necessary paperwork for the work permit is handled by the employer and includes proof of qualifications and health certification. Once a work permit is granted, the employee must apply for a residence permit. If you’re a citizen of a country that doesn’t have a bilateral agreement with Hungary, you’ll need to apply for a residence permit at the Hungarian Consulate in your home country or in the country where you hold a valid residence permit. Once this is granted you’ll receive a 30-day visa which allows you to enter Hungary to collect your residence permit at the Immigration Office. If you don’t

If your company doesn’t provide

assistance obtaining work or residence permits, hiring the services

of a relocation company is strongly

recommended.

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ADMINISTRATIVE PREPARATIONS

require a visa to enter Hungary, you can apply for your residence permit once you’re here. This must be done at the relevant local immigration office within 90 days of entering the Schengen Area. Non-EU citizens can only spend 90 days of any 180-day period in the Area on a visitor’s basis.

The documents required for a residence permit are as follows:• passport, valid for a minimum of 18 months• 1 passport photo• proof of accommodation (lease / home ownership document)• proof of means of living (bank statement / employment contract)• if working, a work permit• if married, a marriage certificate• if with children, their birth certificates• proof of health insurance

Once you receive your residence permit, you’ll receive an address form that must be kept in your passport. Once granted, both work and residence permits are valid for up to two years and can be renewed if desired. If any of your documents expire in less than two years (i.e. your lease), that will be considered the last date that you are legally able to remain in the country. These documents give a foreign citizen the right to both reside in and travel to and from Hungary, and act as documentation for legal residence during your stay. All family members relocating with you will need to apply for the residence permit. Once you have a valid residence permit and address form, you can then apply for a tax card and a social security booklet.

EU citizensCitizens of EU and EEA member states don’t require a work permit to work in Hungary, but you must hold a valid identification document, with photo, issued by your home country, and you need to register with the immigration department to apply for a registration card. This has no expiry date, as long as your passport remains valid. You’ll need to provide proof of accommodation, employment and health insurance, as well as the ability to cover you and your family’s costs during your Hungarian residency.

Upon receipt of all of the necessary documents, the registration card will be immediately issued by the Immigration Office. Once you get the registration card, the relevant authority will post your address card to you.

It’s important to remember that your registration card is only valid with your passport – it’s not a stand-alone document – and that all three documents (passport, registration card and address card) should be carried together at all times.

If any of your documents expire in less than two years (i.e. your lease), that will be considered the last date that you are legally able to remain in the country.

If you don’t require a visa to enter Hungary, you can apply for your residence permit once you’re here.

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ADDRESS, PHONE AND FINANCES

Before you leave

One of the greatest resources for international living is Internet banking and communication. Living abroad is dramatically different

today than it was even 10 years ago, but it can be easy to let that lull you into a false sense of complacency. There are a number of things you should do prior to leaving your home country to minimise or eliminate potential problems down the road.

Be sure to notify all banks and credit card companies of your relocation plans. Many companies will block the use of debit or credit cards in foreign countries unless they have been advised in advance of your travel plans. Credit card companies also generally require a local address, so be sure to maintain a mailing address in your home country. Arrange for online payment of bills where possible, or leave a supply of postdated cheques when necessary. Check with your bank about the procedures for transferring money internationally and make any required arrangements around taxes, pension plans and other financial matters.

Ensure that you’ve packed all documents and educational and medical records, and bring a generous supply of any prescription medications you may require. (See the Health Care section for additional information.) If you’re shipping your furniture, remember to check if your appliances and electronics will work in Hungary.

If you’re bringing your family pet, EU citizens must ensure they have a pet passport. Non-EU citizens must show a veterinary health certificate which proves that the animal meets all EU requirements. If travelling by air, it’s necessary to contact your airline to ensure that all criteria are met so there are no last-minute crises to deal with.

Many companies will block the use of debit or credit cards in foreign countries

unless they have been advised in advance of your

travel plans.

Right - Post office in the castle districtInset - Fisherman’s

Bastion at night

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B U D A P E S T

ESSENTIALSTHE

GUIDE



Education and learning have always been our focus and our area of expertise. Our people and the people we work with all have a good understanding of what this means to us. We aim to provide students with the opportunity to be the best they can be.

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The Essentials Guide Budapest - Excerpt