Hungary
At a glance
- Living index rating
- Affordable
- Monthly rent
- Dorm under €100 – €200; shared flat HUF 100,000 – HUF 160,000 in Budapest
- Monthly food
- HUF 70,000 – HUF 100,000
- Other monthly expenses
- HUF 30,000 – HUF 60,000 (student transport pass, phone, utilities, personal)
- Visa processing time
- About 3 – 8 weeks; residence permits are usually decided within about 70 days
- Family allowed for students
- No
Visa requirements
- National visa for study (D) from a Hungarian consulate, then a residence permit for study through the Enter Hungary system within 90 days
- Acceptance letter from a state-recognised Hungarian institution for a full-time course
- Proof of funds for living costs and tuition, proof of accommodation and health insurance
- Language certificate for your course
- Work up to 30 hours a week during term
Work permit after studies
- Residence permit for job seeking or starting a business: up to 9 months after graduating from a Hungarian university
- Apply no later than 15 days before your study residence permit expires
- Once you have a job, switch to a work-based residence permit (or an EU Blue Card)
Citizenship route
- Under the 2024 immigration law, time on a study permit doesn't count towards permanent residence, and guest-worker permits don't lead to settlement
- Permanent residence is only possible from qualifying work-based permits (such as the EU Blue Card or skilled-worker permits), not directly from a student permit
- Naturalisation normally after 8 years of continuous residence in Hungary, with a constitutional studies exam in Hungarian
Family details
- Since 1 January 2024, family reunification isn't allowed for holders of study residence permits (except for a baby born in Hungary)
- Family members can only visit on short-stay Schengen visas
Universities in Hungary
Top-ranked
Semmelweis University · Budapest
THE #247=ARWU 701–800
Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) · Budapest
QS #595THE 801–1000ARWU 501–600
Famous for: Physics and astronomy, Psychology, Law
QS #633THE 1001–1200ARWU 501–600
Famous for: Medicine, Pharmacy, Life sciences
University of Debrecen · Debrecen
QS #600THE 801–1000
Famous for: Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy
THE 701–800
Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) · Budapest
QS 751–760THE 1401–1600ARWU 901–1000
Famous for: Civil engineering, Electrical engineering, Architecture
QS 791–800THE 1001–1200
Famous for: Medicine, Law, Music and arts
Corvinus University of Budapest · Budapest
THE 1001–1200
Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences · Gödöllő
THE 1201–1400
Széchenyi István University · Győr
THE 1601–1800
University of Pannonia · Veszprém
THE 1601–1800
Pázmány Péter Catholic University · Budapest
THE 1801–2000
All other universities and colleges (50), A–Z
Budapest Circus Arts and Contemporary Dance College · Budapest
Evangelical-Lutheran Theological University, Budapest · Budapest
Jewish Theological Seminary – University of Jewish Studies · Budapest
Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary · Budapest
Sapientia College of Theology of Religious Orders · Budapest
Szent Atanáz Greek Catholic Theological Institute, Nyíregyháza · Nyíregyháza
University of Miskolc · Miskolc
THE 1801–2000
No universities match your search.
This guide is for general information. Visa and immigration rules change often, so always check the official government website before you apply. Last updated 6 October 2026.