Közös Költség: Common Costs in Hungary
If you've ever looked at a property listing in Hungary, you've probably come across közös költség, or common costs. It's a monthly fee paid towards the running of an apartment building, but what it actually includes depends entirely on the building. That's where much...
Paying for Parking in Budapest
If you're paying for parking in Budapest this summer, there are two important changes that will affect both how much you pay and how you pay. From 1 July 2026, Budapest has officially removed cash payments at its on-street parking ticket machines, meaning all parking...
Hungary’s Bottle Return System REpont Is Under Review
Hungary’s bottle return system REpont adds a HUF 50 deposit to eligible bottles and cans. You reclaim it at a machine or return point. The system has recycled billions of containers, but broken machines, retailer disputes, and MOHU’s monopoly are now under government...
Hungary Guest Worker Permits: What Changed?
Last verified: June 2026 By Friday afternoon, my social media feeds were full of warnings that Hungary had effectively shut the door on foreign workers. Some posts suggested a sweeping ban. Others implied that work permits were no longer available. As is often the...
The Balaton Boom Is Over. Now What?
Lake Balaton property is entering a new phase. The post-pandemic buying frenzy has cooled, demand has fallen sharply from its peak, and buyers are behaving differently than they were just a few years ago. Yet the most interesting shift is not the slowdown itself. It...
Classical Music Budapest: Mendelssohn Reimagined
Classical music in Budapest is one of the great privileges of living here, and for years, it is one I did not use nearly enough. I studied opera, music theory, history and piano at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. In fact, it is one of the reasons I moved...
Hungary Stay Over 90 Days: Who Can Stay Longer?
As I write this, it’s 1 May, Labour Day in Hungary. We’re in the countryside for the long weekend. It’s 22 degrees and full sunshine. Later, we’re heading to the chestnut blossom festival in Sümeg with Andrew and our little dog. Tomorrow we go back to Budapest. Sunday...
Retire in Hungary 2026: The Wind Has Changed
Retire in Hungary 2026 is suddenly back in my inbox in a way it has not been for a while. I am writing this from a hotel room in Rome, here for work, and since last Sunday’s election result came through, the messages have picked up quickly. People who had quietly...
Hungary Election 2026: From My Side of Budapest
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...
Emergency Numbers in Hungary (English): Save These Now
April in Hungary always feels like a bit of a reset. We’re heading into the long Easter weekend, and I’m writing this from the countryside, watching grey skies that are apparently about to turn into 20 degrees and sunshine by Sunday. Andrew and I already have plans...
Long-Term Financial Planning in Hungary: What the Experts Said
March in Budapest arrived with that particular brand of optimism only a survived Hungarian winter produces. The heating is still on. But you start to believe it might not be for much longer. It was in that spirit - cautious hope, practical focus - that we gathered at...
Evergreen Health at Zala Springs
Sound Bowls, Lake Views, and a Very Good Massage Early March in Western Hungary always feels like a quiet turning point. Just a few days earlier, Andrew and I had reopened our countryside house near Sümeg after the winter. The garden still looked half asleep, yet the...
I’m Anikó Woods, a Canadian-Hungarian who’s been knee-deep in life here since 2017 - bureaucracy, culture, and everything in between.
Be the First to KNOW!
Hungary can be a maze of paperwork, surprises, and cultural oddities – but you don’t have to figure it all out the hard way. Join my exclusive newsletter, and you’ll get:
- Real stories from people who’ve done it
- Expert insights on residency, banking, healthcare, and more
- My own wins, mistakes, and lessons learned
- Handpicked resources to make it life easier
Get the real, unfiltered advice about living in Hungary you won’t find anywhere else. Join now and be part of the conversation!