I’m writing this from the terrace of our little winehouse, with a fan working double-time and my laptop precariously balanced between coffee and sunscreen. It’s another scorcher in the Balaton Highlands, but a cool front is (thankfully) on its way. I’m heading back to...
Splitting my time between Budapest’s buzzing streets and the laid-back wine hills of Lake Balaton, I’ve seen firsthand how Hungary’s property market can feel like a moving target - especially if you’re a first time buyer. The government’s new Otthon Start loan scheme...
The Hungary medicine price freeze 2025 is now in force: from 1 July, pharmacy prices for dozens of everyday basics are stuck at 2024 levels until mid-2026. If you’ve ever found yourself standing in a Budapest pharmacy, mangling the word Neo Citran while clutching your...
Identity Protection Law update. As of 1 July, Hungary’s Településvédelmi törvény is officially in force - in theory, at least. On paper, more than 3,100 local councils now have the green light to decide who buys, who stays, and what it might cost them. In practice?...
When Hungary’s Identity Protection Law Alsóörs discussion hit the headlines today, most of us watching property trends knew this moment was coming. Hungary passed the Identity Protection Law months ago, and now Alsóörs - a prime Balaton town - is set to become its...
The Budapest airport rail link is officially underway and if you live in Hungary, it’s worth paying attention. Whether you’re a frequent flyer or simply tired of the 100E bus circus, this new connection between Liszt Ferenc Airport and Nyugati Station could...
Today I’m working from our co-working space at Kálvin tér in Budapest, enjoying the napi menü (yes, túrós csusza again, some habits are worth repeating). But while my lunch was traditional, the news definitely wasn’t. Parliament just passed a new law on emergency...
After months of speculation, leaked proposals, and heated debates, Hungary’s controversial Local Identity Protection Act - also known as the Településvédelem Törvény - is no longer just a political talking point. On 13 May 2025, the final draft of Hungary’s New...
You know the question. I’ve been asked it at dinner parties, in DMs, and even on Tiktok: “Are foreign buyers in Hungary still snapping up real estate in 2025?” The short answer? Absolutely - but the full picture is far more interesting. Let’s unpack the longer...
Budapest parking fee increase in June 2025 - not exactly the phrase I thought would dominate my soggy Tuesday morning, yet here we are. After a weekend of sunglasses and spontaneous terrace wines, we’ve crash-landed into chilly drizzle and rising costs. And just when...
I’m Anikó Woods, a Canadian-Hungarian who’s been knee-deep in life here since 2017 - bureaucracy, culture, and everything in between.
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