Retire in Hungary: Can You Really Do It in 2025?
Let me just say this straight out: if I had a forint for every time someone asked me whether they could retire in Hungary, I’d have enough to buy a Balaton villa and still have change for a few bottles of Olaszrizling. Andrew and I have spent more time on the phone...
Buying Property in Mezőkeresztes: Protection or Prejudice?
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...
Compulsory Education in Hungary – 2025 Parent Guide
I’ll be honest: as someone whose own kids went through the Canadian school system, I arrived in Hungary with a pretty relaxed idea of when education “starts.” So you can imagine my surprise when I learned that compulsory education in Hungary kicks in the September...
Latest Hungarian Vignette Prices: A Clear Guide for Drivers
If you’re regularly driving through Hungary - whether commuting between Budapest and your countryside retreat or simply passing through on holiday - understanding the latest Hungarian vignette prices is essential. The motorway toll system is evolving in 2025, with a...
First Time Buyers in Hungary: The Otthon Start Revolution
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...
How to Get Hungarian Citizenship by Descent
If you’ve ever wondered how to connect with your Hungarian roots and gain Hungarian citizenship through your family history, you’re in the right place. I’m writing this near Lake Balaton on a grey morning, watching the clouds shift and thinking about how my own family...
Danube Low Water Level: Why Hungary’s River Is So Dangerous
When you think of Hungary in summer, you might imagine sunset cruises along the Danube, paddleboards gliding past the Danube Bend or a leisurely swim in one of Budapest’s riverside coves. Unfortunately, you’ll need to shelve that vision for now - because the Danube's...
Hungary Medicine Price Freeze 2025 Guide
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: Day-one Audit
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?...
Tipping in Hungary 2025: How Not to Pay Twice
If you’re confused about tipping in Hungary, you’re definitely not alone. I posted a video about this just last week and the questions are still rolling in. It’s Sunday morning here as I pack up for a family holiday and I still see people freeze at the card machine...
Waterfront Holiday Homes in Hungary
Waterfront Holiday Homes in Hungary: When we bought our house in the Balaton Highlands, it wasn’t exactly a calculated investment. More of a wild flirtation with a view and apple trees. It had good bones, a solid roof, indoor plumbing and electricity, but my husband...
Hungarian Cultural Differences: A Canadian’s View
I’m a dual citizen. My parents are Hungarian, and I grew up with the food, the family stories, and just enough language to think I might have a head start here. I didn’t. Because while I thought I understood Hungarian cultural differences, I was frequently wrong. 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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