europe Updated January 20, 2026 Work Remotely from Hungary: Complete Guide
Everything about working remotely from Hungary for US/EU companies. Visa options, tax implications, best cities, and practical tips for digital nomads.
Updated January 20, 2026 • Verified current for 2026
Yes, you can work remotely from Hungary. EU/EEA citizens enjoy full work rights, while non-EU citizens can stay visa-free for 90 days or apply for residence permits as freelancers or entrepreneurs. Hungary offers excellent value with Budapest being one of Europe’s most beautiful and affordable capitals, world-class thermal baths, vibrant cultural scene, and a special 9% flat tax available under the KATA small business tax regime.
Visa Options
EU/EEA/Swiss Citizens
As an EU member state, Hungary provides full freedom of movement to EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens. You can live and work indefinitely without special permits. Register your address with local authorities within 30 days of arrival for stays exceeding 90 days.
Non-EU Citizens: Short-Term Stay
Citizens of visa-exempt countries (including US, Canada, UK, Australia, Japan) can stay visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period in the Schengen Area for tourism or short-term remote work for foreign companies.
Residence Permit for Self-Employment
The primary route for non-EU remote workers wanting to stay long-term:
- Register as self-employed individual or sole proprietor in Hungary
- Apply for residence permit for independent/business activity
- Initial permit valid for 1-2 years, renewable
- Requires proof of accommodation, health insurance, and financial means (~$3,000 in bank)
- Must demonstrate business plan or ongoing freelance work
- Processing time: 1-3 months
- Application made at Hungarian embassy/consulate or in Hungary on short-stay visa
Many remote workers register under KATA tax regime (see tax section) to minimize tax burden.
White Card (Guest Investor Program)
Hungary introduced this program for entrepreneurs and investors:
- For those establishing or investing in Hungarian businesses
- Provides 1-year residence permit, renewable
- Requires business plan and minimum capital investment
- More suitable for those starting actual Hungarian businesses rather than pure remote work
Employment Residence Permit
If employed by Hungarian company:
- Employer must obtain work permit approval
- Then apply for employment residence permit
- Processing time: 2-4 months
- Less common for remote workers unless hired by Hungarian tech company
Digital Nomad Visa Considerations
Hungary doesn’t currently have a dedicated digital nomad visa, but the self-employment residence permit serves similar purposes for long-term remote work.
Tax Implications
Tax Residency
You become a Hungarian tax resident if you:
- Stay in Hungary for more than 183 days in a calendar year, or
- Have your permanent home or habitual abode in Hungary
Personal Income Tax
Hungary has a flat personal income tax rate:
- 15% flat tax on personal income
- Plus 13% social contribution tax (formerly called healthcare contribution)
- Effective rate: approximately 28% for employees
- 15.5% social security contribution paid by employers
KATA Small Business Tax Regime (For Freelancers)
The most attractive option for remote workers and freelancers:
- Flat monthly tax of HUF 25,000 (~$70) or 9% of revenue (whichever results in more tax)
- Applies to revenue up to HUF 18 million (~$50,000) annually
- Includes health insurance and pension contributions
- No need to track expenses or file complex tax returns
- Extremely simple administration
- Important: KATA was reformed in 2022 with restrictions on who can use it
KATA Restrictions (Post-2022):
- Cannot invoice more than 40% of revenue to a single client
- Mainly intended for B2C services or working with multiple clients
- B2B services to single clients restricted (must use different tax regime)
- Penalties for violations can be severe
For remote workers with single foreign employers, KATA may not be suitable. Alternative is registering as sole proprietor under standard tax regime (15% + 13% social contribution).
Limited Liability Company (KFT)
If establishing Hungarian company:
- 9% corporate tax on profits (one of lowest in EU)
- Dividend tax: 15%
- More complex administration than KATA
- Good for higher earners with multiple clients
Non-Residents
Non-residents working remotely for foreign companies while in Hungary for under 183 days typically don’t owe Hungarian income tax, provided no Hungarian permanent establishment exists.
Double Taxation Treaties
Hungary has tax treaties with over 80 countries, including US, UK, Canada, and Australia, preventing double taxation. Always consult with a Hungarian tax advisor to optimize your situation, especially regarding KATA eligibility.
Best Cities for Remote Work
Budapest
Hungary’s capital is the crown jewel for remote workers in Central Europe. Budapest offers stunning architecture along the Danube, world-famous thermal baths, vibrant nightlife in the ruin bars, and excellent infrastructure. The city has dozens of coworking spaces (Kaptár, Brain Bar, Impact Hub), thriving startup ecosystem, and large international community. Cost of living is very reasonable ($1,000-1,500/month for comfortable lifestyle) despite being a major European capital. Excellent public transport, walkable districts, and cultural amenities make it ideal for remote work and quality of life. English widely spoken in expat-friendly areas.
Szeged
Hungary’s third-largest city offers an authentic Hungarian experience with significantly lower costs ($600-900/month). Home to a major university, Szeged has a young population, good internet infrastructure, and growing tech sector. The city has beautiful Art Nouveau architecture, vibrant café culture, and is known as Hungary’s sunniest city. Smaller expat community means better opportunity to integrate and learn Hungarian. Less coworking infrastructure than Budapest but sufficient for remote workers. Located near Serbian and Romanian borders.
Pécs
A charming university city in southern Hungary with Mediterranean climate and rich history. Pécs offers very affordable living ($600-850/month), beautiful architecture combining Ottoman and European influences, and relaxed lifestyle. Small but growing digital nomad presence, reliable internet, and several coworking options. The city is quieter than Budapest, making it ideal for those seeking focus and work-life balance. Pécs was European Capital of Culture 2010. Less English spoken than Budapest but friendly local community.
Timezone Overlap
Hungary operates on Central European Time (CET, UTC+1) in winter and Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2) in summer.
Working with US Companies:
- East Coast (EST/EDT): 6 hours ahead (9 AM in New York = 3 PM in Budapest)
- West Coast (PST/PDT): 9 hours ahead (9 AM in Los Angeles = 6 PM in Budapest)
Moderate overlap with US East Coast (2-4 hours during standard business hours). Many remote workers adjust schedules to start work at 10-11 AM local time for better alignment with US colleagues, with some evening meetings.
Working with European Companies:
- Perfect alignment with most EU countries (same or ±1 hour)
- Same timezone as Vienna, Prague, Berlin, Rome
- Ideal for synchronous European collaboration
Working with UK Companies:
- 1 hour ahead of UK (GMT/BST)
- Excellent overlap for real-time communication
Working with Asian Companies:
- 7 hours ahead of Dubai
- 4.5-5.5 hours ahead of India
- 7-8 hours behind East Asia
- Limited real-time overlap, requires asynchronous methods
Your Hungary Remote Work Setup Checklist
- 1 Determine visa strategy and apply for self-employment residence permit if staying long-term
- 2 Secure accommodation (ingatlan.com, Alberlet.hu, or Airbnb for first month)
- 3 Register address with local government office (kormányablak) within 30 days
- 4 Obtain comprehensive health insurance valid in Hungary (required for residence permit)
- 5 Set up Hungarian bank account (OTP Bank, K&H, Erste have English support)
- 6 Get local SIM card (Telekom, Vodafone, Telenor offer good data plans)
- 7 Consult with Hungarian accountant about KATA eligibility vs. standard tax regime
- 8 Register as self-employed if obtaining residence permit (accountant can help)
- 9 Apply for Hungarian tax number (adószám) through tax office or accountant
- 10 Find coworking space or reliable work location (Budapest has 50+ coworking spaces)
- 11 Join expat and digital nomad communities (Budapest Expats Facebook, Meetup groups)
- 12 Start learning basic Hungarian (one of Europe's most unique and challenging languages)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the KATA tax regime still worth it after the 2022 changes?
KATA remains excellent if you qualify under the new rules. The flat ~$70/month tax for revenue under $50,000 annually is unbeatable. However, 2022 restrictions limit it primarily to B2C services or B2B with multiple clients - you cannot invoice more than 40% of revenue to a single client. For remote workers with one main foreign employer, you likely need to use standard tax regime (15% income tax + 13% social contribution = ~28% total). Despite this, Hungary's overall tax rates remain competitive with other Central European countries. Always consult with a Hungarian accountant ($50-100/month) to determine your best option and ensure compliance.
How affordable is Budapest really for remote workers?
Budapest offers excellent value for a European capital. One-bedroom apartment costs $500-800/month in good neighborhoods (outside tourist center), utilities ~$80-120, groceries $200-250, eating out $6-12 per meal, transport $30 unlimited monthly pass, coworking $150-250/month. Total comfortable living: $1,000-1,500/month. District 7 (ruin bar area) is trendy but expensive; Districts 8, 9, 11, and 13 offer better value. Public thermal baths cost $20 entry. Budapest is more expensive than Bulgaria or Romania but cheaper than Prague or Vienna while offering comparable quality of life and infrastructure.
Do I need to speak Hungarian to live there as a remote worker?
Hungarian is famously difficult (unrelated to Indo-European languages), but you don't need it for remote work in Budapest. English is widely spoken in coworking spaces, expat-friendly restaurants, and among young professionals. However, government offices, healthcare (except private clinics), and everyday services often require Hungarian. Many expats use translation apps and English-speaking services. Outside Budapest, English proficiency drops significantly. Learning basic phrases helps daily life and shows respect, but the expat community is large enough that you can manage with English. Many long-term residents eventually learn Hungarian or use interpreters for official matters.
What about healthcare and health insurance in Hungary?
Hungary has public and private healthcare. Public healthcare (for residents paying social contributions) is affordable but often crowded with language barriers. Most expats use private healthcare, which is excellent and much cheaper than Western Europe - private consultations cost $40-80, comprehensive private insurance $80-150/month. Budapest has modern private hospitals with English-speaking doctors (Medicover, Euromedic). For residence permits, you must prove health insurance coverage. EU citizens can use EHIC card for public healthcare. Many digital nomads maintain international insurance or purchase local private coverage. Dental care is particularly affordable and high-quality, attracting medical tourism.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work remotely from Hungary for a US company?
Yes, you can work remotely from Hungary for a US company. Most remote workers use tourist visas for short stays or apply for specific work/residence visas for longer periods. You'll typically continue to be paid in USD and remain on your US employer's payroll while working abroad. Check the visa section above for specific options and durations available in Hungary.
Do I need a visa to work remotely from Hungary?
It depends on your nationality and intended length of stay. Many nationalities can enter Hungary visa-free for tourism (usually 30-90 days), during which remote work for foreign companies is generally tolerated. For longer stays, you'll need a specific visa such as a digital nomad visa, work visa, or residence permit. Check the requirements specific to your passport and planned duration of stay.
What's the cost of living for remote workers in Hungary?
The cost of living in Hungary is relatively affordable, with monthly budgets of $1,200-2,000 being typical for a comfortable lifestyle including rent, food, and coworking space. Major cities tend to be more expensive than smaller towns or rural areas. Your actual budget will depend on your lifestyle choices, accommodation preferences, and which city you choose to live in.
Does Hungary have a digital nomad visa?
Check the visa section above for Hungary's specific visa options. Many countries now offer dedicated digital nomad visas, remote work visas, or freelance visas designed for location-independent workers. Even without a specific digital nomad visa, there are often alternative visa categories that allow remote work, such as temporary residence permits or self-employment visas.
What are the best cities for remote work in Hungary?
The best cities for remote workers in Hungary typically offer a combination of reliable high-speed internet, coworking spaces, affordable cost of living, and quality of life. Check the cities section above for specific recommendations, including internet speeds, cost indexes, and the number of coworking spaces in each location. Consider factors like timezone overlap with your team, climate preferences, and local amenities when choosing.
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