A month in Budapest, in numbers
| Item | Monthly | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Room in a shared flat | EUR 250-400 | Inner Pest districts cost more |
| University dormitory | EUR 80-150 | Limited places, apply early |
| Food | EUR 150-220 | Cooking at home |
| Transport | EUR 9-12 | Student monthly pass, very cheap |
| Phone and internet | EUR 10-20 | |
| Personal and other | EUR 60-120 | |
| Total | EUR 450-750 | Much lower with a dorm |
Where students actually live
Budapest is described by district number. VII and VIII (Erzsébetváros, Józsefváros) are central and popular with students. XI (Újbuda) sits next to BME and is quieter. XIII and XIV are mid-priced. The outer districts are cheapest. The metro, tram and bus network is genuinely good, so living away from the centre is a sensible trade here rather than a sacrifice.
The universities
- Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) — Hungary's principal technical university
- Semmelweis — medicine, dentistry, pharmacy; high fees
- Eötvös Loránd (ELTE) — sciences, humanities, informatics
- Corvinus — business and economics
Work, honestly
Hungary's student work limit is relatively generous (commonly cited as up to 30 hours a week during term). More importantly, Budapest has a large shared-services and outsourcing sector, so call centre, customer support and IT support work in English is genuinely available — which is not true of Debrecen, Szeged or Pécs. Pay is low by European standards, so this funds living costs rather than tuition. Check the rules in the part-time work guide.
The honest bits
- 1The forint moves. Keep about 10% of margin in your budget for exchange rate swings.
- 2Foreigners get quoted higher rents. A local friend viewing the flat with you saves real money.
- 3Hungarian is hard, but you can run daily life in Budapest in English.
Before you fly
- 1Apply for a dormitory the moment you accept your offer.
- 2Have EUR 1,000-1,500 for the first two months plus deposit.
- 3Register your address and start the residence permit — see after you arrive.
Official sources — check for yourself
Rules and figures change. We review these articles periodically and show the date above, but always confirm the current requirement with the official source before you act on it.
Common questions
How much does a student need per month in Budapest?+
Typically EUR 450-750. A university dormitory place cuts accommodation to EUR 80-150 a month, which is by far the largest single saving available — so applying on time matters more than any other budget decision.
Can I find part-time work in English in Budapest?+
Yes. The city has a large shared-services and outsourcing sector, so call centre, customer support and IT support roles in English do exist — unlike in Hungary's smaller cities. Pay is low, so plan for it to cover living costs, not tuition.
Does Hungary use the euro?+
No, the forint. Tuition is often advertised in euros while daily costs are in forint, so the exchange risk is yours — build in about 10% of margin.
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