No Phones, All Day: Hungary's New School Rule From today, 1 September 2026, pupils in Hungary's általános iskola (the eight-year general school, grades 1 to 8, ages 6 to 14) must keep their phones off for the whole school day, The rule covers phones and other...
Election day in Hungary starts early. We voted in the morning, the three of us, my mother, my sister and I, each at our local polling station in Budapest before the city had fully woken up. Afterwards we went for brunch with the family, found a table in the sun, and...
A few days ago, I posted a short video on social media about the new employment rules in Hungary. It was filmed quickly, between meetings, after reading the announcement and trying to interpret what it meant for families already here. I promised I would follow up with...
Autumn in Hungary is when entrepreneurs start reviewing the year -balancing invoices, planning winter budgets, and facing the familiar dance of tax filings and supplier calls. Andrew and I are right there too. Between his home technology architecture company, which...
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...
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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