Budapest is consistently ranked among Europe’s most beautiful capital cities — two cities (Buda and Pest) separated by the Danube and unified in 1873, combining the medieval castle district of Buda with the grand 19th-century boulevards of Pest. Hungary offers a cost of living dramatically lower than Western Europe, a rich cultural heritage, excellent thermal baths, outstanding wine regions (Tokaj, Eger, Villány), and a compact country where mountains, lakes and plains are all within easy reach of the capital. For UK nationals, the combination of Budapest’s beauty, affordability and connectivity is increasingly compelling.
Why Londoners Move to Hungary
- Budapest’s architecture — the Chain Bridge, the Hungarian Parliament (one of the world’s most spectacular), the Fisherman’s Bastion, Andrássy Avenue and the thermal bath culture make Budapest one of Europe’s most visually spectacular capitals
- Very low cost of living — Hungary uses the Hungarian Forint, not the euro, and cost of living is among the lowest in the EU. Budapest rental costs are 65–75% lower than London; food, dining and everyday services are dramatically cheaper
- Thermal bath culture — Budapest has 80+ hot springs and 11 public thermal baths. Széchenyi, Gellért, Rudas — bathing culture is a genuine part of daily life, not a tourist attraction
- Wine regions — Hungary produces some of Central Europe’s finest wines. Tokaji Aszú is a world-famous dessert wine; Eger’s Bulls Blood and Villány’s red wines are excellent. Weekend wine tourism is a natural feature of Hungarian life
- Location — Budapest is 2.5 hours from Vienna by train, 3.5 hours from Bratislava, 7 hours from Prague. Well-connected by rail and road to Central Europe
Post-Brexit: Visa and Residency for UK Nationals
UK nationals moving to Hungary for more than 90 days require a Hungarian residence permit. Relevant routes:
Guest Investor Visa — Hungary introduced a Guest Investor Visa in 2024, allowing qualifying investors (real estate fund investment of €250,000+ or direct property purchase of €500,000+) to obtain a 10-year residence permit. This has attracted significant attention from high-net-worth individuals.
White Card (Employment) — for UK nationals with a confirmed employment offer from a Hungarian employer. Employer initiates the work permit process.
Residence permit for employment — requires a labour market test (employer must demonstrate no suitable Hungarian or EU candidate available) for most positions. Some shortage occupations are exempt.
Self-employed / entrepreneur permit — for those establishing a Hungarian business. Requires a business plan and financial viability demonstration.
Apply at the Hungarian Embassy in London. After arrival, register at the Immigration and Asylum Office (Bevándorlási és Menekültügyi Hivatal — BÁH) within 30 days.
After arrival:
- Obtain your Tax Identification Number (Adóazonosító jel) from the National Tax and Customs Administration (NAV)
- Register with the National Health Insurance Fund (NEAK) for Hungarian state healthcare
- Obtain your Social Security Number (TAJ-szám) — needed for healthcare access
Budapest: Neighbourhoods
District V (Belváros-Lipótváros) — the city centre. Parliament, Chain Bridge, luxury hotels, financial institutions. Expensive, primarily commercial but with residential properties.
District VI (Terézváros / Andrássy Avenue) — grand Boulevard architecture, State Opera House, Andrássy Avenue (Budapest’s equivalent of the Champs-Élysées). Prestigious, popular with affluent expats.
District VII (Erzsébetváros / Jewish Quarter) — Budapest’s famous ruin bar district. Jewish heritage, vibrant nightlife (Szimpla Kert), gentrifying. Very popular with younger expats. Affordable relative to Districts V and VI.
District II (Budaváros) — Buda hillside. Residential, green, quieter. Castle District, rose gardens. Popular with families and those who prefer suburban Buda to urban Pest.
District XIII (Angyalföld) — northern Pest. Gentrifying rapidly, younger demographic, more affordable. New apartment construction around the river.
Cost of Moving from London to Hungary
| Service type | Estimated cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Part-load (shared) | £450 – £950 | Studios, 1-bed flats, personal effects |
| Full-load (dedicated van) | £1,100 – £2,500 | 2-bed+ homes, full households |
| Professional packing add-on | £200 – £500 | Full household packing by our team |
Budapest, Debrecen, Pécs and all Hungarian cities covered. Get a free fixed-price quote for your removals to Hungary.
Estimated transit time — London to Budapest: 3–5 working days.
Frequently Asked Questions: Moving from London to Hungary
What visa do I need to move from London to Hungary?
UK nationals need a Hungarian residence permit for stays over 90 days. Routes include the Guest Investor Visa (property/fund investment), employment-based permits (requires employer sponsorship) and the entrepreneur permit. Apply at the Hungarian Embassy in London; allow 2–3 months.
Does Hungary use the euro?
No. Hungary uses the Hungarian Forint (HUF), not the euro. Currency exchange costs apply when converting GBP or euros. The Forint’s purchasing power relative to Western currencies means the cost of living is very low in practical terms.
How affordable is Budapest compared to London?
Very. Budapest rental costs are typically 65–75% lower than equivalent London properties. Food, restaurants and everyday services are dramatically cheaper. For remote workers earning Western salaries, Budapest offers exceptional purchasing power.
How long does a removal from London to Hungary take?
Transit from London to Budapest typically takes 3–5 working days.
Does Easy Move handle EU customs documentation for Hungary?
Yes. Hungary is an EU member state and Transfer of Residence relief applies to all household goods shipped from the UK.
Ready to move? Our team handles the full process: packing, customs and delivery.