Renting in Hungary: Everything you need to know ahead of the 2025 fall semester
Change language:
As the 2025 fall semester approaches, the Hungarian rental market faces significant changes and fresh challenges for locals, foreign students, expats, and anyone drawn to the nation’s vibrant university cities. Whether you’re planning to study, work, or settle in Hungary, understanding the current housing landscape is essential for making informed choices.
Renting in Hungary: Soaring rents and tight markets
Hungary’s rental market, especially in key cities like Budapest, Debrecen, and Szeged, has seen notable price hikes over the past year. In Budapest, the heart of higher education and business, a one-bedroom apartment in sought-after districts such as District V or District XIII rents for HUF 150,000–250,000 (EUR 376–626) per month, depending on location and amenities. Demand remains high, fuelled by students, young professionals, and expats, with rents sometimes eating up as much as 50–60% of a tenant’s monthly income in the capital.
Outside major cities, rental costs are generally lower. Smaller towns and rural areas offer apartments below HUF 100,000 (EUR 250) monthly, appealing to those who can commute or work remotely.
| City | 1-Bedroom apt (HUF/month) | Shared room (HUF/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Budapest | 150,000–250,000 | 95,000–120,000 |
| Debrecen | 120,000–180,000 | ~90,000–110,000 |
| Szeged | 110,000–150,000 | ~80,000–100,000 |
| Rural Towns | <100,000 | Often lower |
Renting in Hungary: Dormitories and student accommodation
Most Hungarian universities provide dormitory places, but competition is fierce and spots fill quickly. The application windows for the 2025/26 academic year at top universities, such as ELTE, Corvinus, and BME, closed in July, with late applicants placed on waiting lists. Dormitories usually offer shared rooms at affordable rates, ranging from HUF 30,000 to 60,000 (EUR 75 to 150) per month, but single rooms are rare and facilities vary. For latecomers or those not admitted to dorms, searching for shared flats or private rentals is advised.
- ELTE dorms: Applications opened in May; results were out in July. Both dorm and off-campus housing options available.
- Corvinus dorms: June/July application period with waiting lists for late applicants. Rooms house 2–5 people.
- BME dorms: July application, priority to continuing students. Some dorms fill within hours.
Why is renting in Hungary so expensive?
A combination of surging demand, limited housing stock, and government policy shifts has driven the market. Recent years saw an annual property price rise of up to 19% in Budapest and 13–15% nationwide, according to Investropa. Some panel apartments have crossed HUF 100 million (EUR 250,500) in value, which is a new high for the market. Many sellers have raised prices beyond market value, expecting continued demand from new students and expats.
