Heating Season in 2025: Dates, Rules, and How to Prepare

It’s mid-August, and in Budapest we’re still wiping away the sweat after the hottest summer on record. Yet, while I’m watering the  plants and dodging tiny flying gnats, my thoughts are already...

August 20th Traffic Changes: St Stephen’s Day

If you’ve experienced Budapest around St Stephen’s Day before, you’ll know the city’s transformation starts well before the 20th itself. In fact, many of the most significant traffic changes and...

Gas Pipes Budapest: A Family’s Unexpected Ordeal

If you live in Budapest, you might not know that the gas pipes in Budapest are an unexpectedly serious concern in the city’s classic apartments - especially those built at the end of the 19th...

Hungarian TAJ Card: The 2025 Guide

Eight years in Hungary taught me the value of strong paperwork. My family’s experiences with the Hungarian TAJ Card show how the system works in real life. My sister works for a multinational firm....

The Lake Balaton Mosquito Invasion: What’s Going On?

It’s early August, and across Europe, holidaymakers are settling into summer mode. Here in the Balaton Highlands, where we have a winehouse that doubles as a peaceful retreat from city life, I’m...

Life in Hungary 2025: Culture, Social Life & Language

Life in Hungary 2025 presents an intriguing blend of tradition and modernity. When Andrew and I first moved here, we were seduced by the usual suspects: stunning architecture, thermal baths, and a...

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...

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...

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...

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...
Hungary Property Law 2025: Villages May Block Sales

Hungary Property Law 2025: Villages May Block Sales

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: buying a holiday home in Hungary is a beautiful dream—but it’s not without its bureaucratic hiccups. And now, Hungary property law 2025 is about to add another layer. On Tuesday afternoon, the Hungarian Parliament passed a...

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Hungary’s Economic Growth: Real Talk

Hungary’s Economic Growth: Real Talk

Living in Hungary has always felt like a bit of a rollercoaster—equal parts scenic views, unexpected dips, and a slightly alarming number of bureaucratic loops. But lately? The ride feels smoother. Faster, even. There’s a buzz in the air, from the heart of Budapest to...

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New National Card Rules for Guest Workers in Hungary

New National Card Rules for Guest Workers in Hungary

Guest Workers in Hungary: New National Card Rules Announced for Investment Projects If you’re involved in employment, construction, or large-scale investment projects in Hungary’s border regions, there’s a fresh development you’ll want to understand. A new government...

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EHIC in Hungary: One Card, Two Offices, Endless Loops

EHIC in Hungary: One Card, Two Offices, Endless Loops

EHIC in Hungary: One Card, Two Offices, Endless Loops If you caught my recent post on how to apply for an EHIC card in Hungary, you might think you’re ready. You’ve got your TAJ card, your lakcímkártya, and you’ve found the right office. But what if you’re self-paying...

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Budapest Spring Festival 2025: Culture, Music & Magic

Budapest Spring Festival 2025: Culture, Music & Magic

Ah, springtime in Budapest. The grey melts into green, coats are swapped for sunglasses, and suddenly everyone’s lingering on café terraces like they’ve just remembered life is actually quite lovely. And nothing captures that joyful reawakening more than the Budapest...

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Hungary’s Housing Supply Problem 2025

Hungary’s Housing Supply Problem 2025

Hungary’s Housing Supply Problem: Why It’s Getting Harder to Rent or Buy in 2025 Hungary’s housing supply problem is becoming impossible to ignore. The market is tighter than ever, with demand outpacing supply and prices continuing to rise. As we navigate an...

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Hungarian Citizenship Suspension? What This Could Mean

Hungarian Citizenship Suspension? What This Could Mean

The Hungarian citizenship suspension proposal, submitted to Parliament this week, has sparked serious concern—especially for those of us with more than one passport. Under the proposed law, authorities could suspend the citizenship of Hungarians who also hold another...

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Hungary’s National Residence Card Rejections

Hungary’s National Residence Card Rejections

Hungary’s National Residence Card Rejections: What’s Really Going On? If you’ve been affected by Hungary National Residence Card rejections in recent months, you’re not alone. Financial instability, accommodation issues and recently the lack of interest of Hungary are...

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How to Apply for an EHIC card in Hungary

How to Apply for an EHIC card in Hungary

How to Apply for an EHIC Card in Hungary... Once You Have TAJ Navigating the Hungarian healthcare system can feel like deciphering an ancient manuscript—especially when acronyms like TAJ and EHIC are thrown into the mix. But fear not! Whether you're an EU citizen or a...

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Hungary Name on Mailbox Law

Hungary Name on Mailbox Law

Hungary Name on Mailbox Law: Yes, It’s Required by Law When Andrew and I moved to Hungary, we thought we were fairly seasoned when it came to handling moves and red tape. Between us, we’d lived in Canada, the US, and the UK—none of which require you to label yourself...

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Hungarian Electricity Providers: Who to Call and When

Hungarian Electricity Providers: Who to Call and When

If you’re confused about Hungarian electricity providers, you’re not alone. Navigating utilities in Hungary can feel like trying to solve a Rubik’s cube in the dark—blindfolded, with someone shouting contradictory instructions from another room. Especially when it...

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Do You Need to Learn Hungarian in 2025?

Do You Need to Learn Hungarian in 2025?

Do You Need to Learn Hungarian in 2025? I’ve lived in Hungary since 2017 and—brace yourself—I still struggle to learn Hungarian in 2025. Yes, I have a Hungarian name. Yes, I carry the passport. But my vocabulary? Patchy. Grammar? Creative. Confidence? Depends on...

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