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...
When we bought our countryside cottage, I expected the usual homeowner chores: clean the gutters, trim the trees, keep the spiders out of the wine glasses. I knew ragweed from Canada, but I didn’t expect that in Hungary, you could actually be fined just for having it...
It’s Monday, and I’m still running on the quiet rhythm of a perfect Sunday. Andrew and I spent the weekend in the countryside, specifically Badacsony, which delivered its usual mix of volcanic hills, lake views, and just the right amount of wine. Back at my desk now,...
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...
Furnishing a home in Hungary sounds like a dream—until you realise the dream often arrives flat-packed with hex keys. After completing our countryside renovation near Lake Balaton, I had grand plans. The living room was ready. We’d restored the walls, added smart...
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...
After four days of sunshine, rosé, and unusually warm weather for the May Day weekend, it’s tempting to stay in a blissful Balaton bubble. But Hungary’s legal and real estate drama doesn’t take holidays - and neither do I, apparently. This is Part Four of my ongoing...
It’s May 2nd in Hungary. The shops have reopened, yes—but most offices, schools, and anything resembling formal responsibility are still observing the unspoken ritual of a four-day weekend. Like many others enjoying rural Hungary this time of year, we’ve joined the...
Hungary is heading into a three-day internet and TV outage across dozens of towns, villages, and even parts of Budapest itself. If you were planning to spend next week binge-watching Netflix, working from home, or finally emailing that long-forgotten client—think...
Hungary’s Identity Protection Property Law, passed in April 2025, has introduced a dramatic shift in how – and whether – people can buy property or settle in certain Hungarian towns. In this Part Three of my series, we move beyond the village gates and dig into the...
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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