Costs & Funding in Hungary - Study in Hungary

Costs & Funding for Studying in Hungary

Hungary is one of the most affordable countries in the EU for international students — but "affordable" does not mean "free". Tuition for English-taught programs is real, and English-language medicine is the most expensive route. The flip side is that living costs are genuinely low, the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship can fully fund eligible students, and several universities offer significant scholarship discounts. This guide breaks down tuition by route, living costs by city, scholarships, part-time work, and the proof of funds you need for your residence permit.

Tuition Fees

Tuition depends heavily on whether you are studying medicine. Here are the realistic ranges.

Non-medical English-taught programs (public universities)

The cheapest route. Programs at ELTE, BME, the University of Debrecen (non-medical), and similar public universities sit in this range.

English-taught medicine, dentistry, pharmacy

These are the headline figures for English-language MD programs (12 semesters / 6 years). Dental and pharmacy programs sit in a similar range. Veterinary medicine at the University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest is similar.

CEU and selected international programs

CEU tuition for master's programs runs roughly €11,000–16,000 per year, but the university offers significant scholarship coverage — many admitted students receive tuition waivers and/or stipends.

That is the honest figure — tuition is real, not free. Exact amounts vary by university and program, so confirm on the program page. Many institutions allow per-semester payment rather than a full year upfront. Run a personalised estimate with our cost-of-study calculator, and compare routes in the programs and universities guide.

Monthly Living Costs

Living costs in Hungary are among the lowest in the EU, and Budapest is far cheaper than Western European capitals.

Budapest (highest costs)

Debrecen / Pécs / Szeged (cheaper)

Total Cost of a Degree

Realistic totals, tuition plus 12 months of living:

Even the English-taught medicine route — over a full six years — usually costs less than a single year of equivalent training in the UK or US.

Scholarships

Funding in Hungary is real and significant. Plan for it as a serious option, not a bonus.

Stipendium Hungaricum

The flagship Hungarian government scholarship. Eligible students are from a long list of partner countries (across Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and parts of Europe — check the current list each year). The package covers:

• Full tuition at the host Hungarian university
• Accommodation — a dormitory place or a contribution toward private rent
• Health insurance
• Monthly stipend — roughly HUF 130,000 (~€330) for bachelor's and master's, HUF 180,000+ for PhDs

Applications run each January (typically open in November–December, with a mid-January deadline) through the Tempus Public Foundation portal and through your home-country partner authority — both are mandatory. It is highly competitive but a transformative opportunity for eligible students. Check the official Stipendium Hungaricum portal for the current partner countries and deadlines.

University and CEU scholarships

Most leading Hungarian universities offer their own merit and need-based awards:

• CEU offers substantial scholarship coverage for master's and PhD applicants — many admitted students receive tuition waivers, stipends, or both. Apply for the program; scholarship consideration is usually automatic or part of the same form.
• Semmelweis, Debrecen, Corvinus, BME, ELTE and others offer merit scholarships, partial tuition discounts, and need-based awards, usually applied for alongside your program application.
• Diaspora and language-based scholarships exist for students of Hungarian heritage or who study Hungarian.

Home-country and external funding

• Erasmus+ (for eligible European students on exchange)
• Home-country government scholarships for studying abroad
• DAAD, Chevening, Fulbright and similar that allow Hungary as a destination
• Private foundations and employer sponsorships

Strategy: because Hungarian tuition is already low, even a partial scholarship can make a degree very inexpensive. Apply for Stipendium Hungaricum and each university's scheme early — these deadlines often fall in November–January.

Part-Time Work

Students with a valid residence permit may work up to 24 hours per week during semester and full-time during semester breaks. Common student jobs include hospitality, retail, language teaching (English), and remote freelance work. Pay is modest by Western European standards — the Hungarian minimum wage is around HUF 1,500/hour (~€3.75) — so part-time work is best treated as pocket money, not tuition funding. Confirm current rules with your university's international office and the residence permit guide.

Proof of Funds for the Residence Permit

International students applying for the Hungarian residence permit for study must show they can support themselves.

Minimum to budget:

• Equivalent to roughly €500–700 per month for living costs
• Plus one year of tuition (paid or guaranteed)
• Total proof typically €6,000–9,000 for non-medical programs, €20,000+ for medical programs

Accepted proof typically includes:

• A bank statement in your name (or your sponsor's) showing the required amount
• An official scholarship confirmation letter (Stipendium Hungaricum or other)
• A combination of the above

Requirements can vary slightly between consulates, so confirm the exact current figure and accepted documents with the Hungarian embassy or consulate in your country before applying. Full walkthrough in our residence permit guide.

Health Insurance and Healthcare

International students in Hungary are required to hold health insurance valid for the duration of their stay — this is a residence-permit condition. Options include:

• A Hungarian private health insurance policy (commonly used; many universities recommend providers — typical cost €100–500/year)
• Generali, Allianz, or similar European insurers (with Hungarian coverage)
• EU-issued European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for EU/EEA students (covers public healthcare)
• Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship recipients have insurance bundled

Hungary has a mixed public-private healthcare system. Public care is free or low-cost with valid insurance but can have long waits; private clinics in Budapest are widely used by internationals and reasonable by EU standards. A standard GP visit at a private clinic typically costs HUF 15,000–30,000 (€38–75).

Smart Ways to Cut Costs

Hungary is already affordable, but students trim costs further in predictable ways:

• Apply for the dormitory (kollégium) early — far cheaper than private rent
• Eat at university canteens (menza) — lunch menus from €4.50
• Buy a student monthly transport pass — HUF 3,450 (€8.50) in Budapest covers everything
• Shop at Aldi, Lidl, and Spar for groceries; markets (vásárcsarnok) for fresh produce
• Use thermal baths and free parks for affordable leisure
• Pick Debrecen, Pécs, or Szeged over Budapest if your program offers it — noticeably lower rent and daily costs

Together these keep a monthly budget comfortably under €700 in Budapest, and under €550 elsewhere.

Budget Planning Checklist

Before you arrive, confirm:

• Tuition payment schedule (per semester or per year) and first instalment amount
• Stipendium Hungaricum and university scholarship applications submitted where relevant (early deadlines — typically January)
• Proof of funds secured (~€6,000–9,000 for non-medical, more for medicine)
• Housing reserved — dormitory if eligible, otherwise private rent
• Health insurance arranged and valid throughout
• A settling-in buffer (€500–800) for a deposit, transport, and first-week costs
• Residence permit application submitted at the Hungarian consulate

Next Steps

1. Residence permit — use your proof of funds to apply at the Hungarian consulate
2. Living in Hungary — housing, transport, dormitories, and daily costs
3. Admissions and application — if you have not applied yet
4. Programs and universities — compare routes and find your field