Housing in Hungary
You get either a free dormitory place or a housing contribution of HUF 40,000 a month (~EUR 100). Neither option is straightforward. Here's what to actually expect.
ScholarshipUnion Editorial
1 min read
Updated Oct 5, 2026
Dormitory Conditions (The Real Picture)
The dormitory place is free, but it depends on the university's capacity — you aren't guaranteed one.
Free (part of the scholarship) or very cheap. Close to campus. Includes utilities and internet. A community of other students. Some newer dorms are actually decent.
Bug infestations (bedbugs, cockroaches) in some buildings. Broken plumbing and heating issues. 2 washing machines for 800+ students. Shared rooms (2–4 people) with no privacy. Kitchen facilities may be minimal or absent. Conditions vary wildly between universities.
These conditions are not universal. Some universities have modern, well-maintained dormitories. Others have buildings that haven't been renovated since the socialist era. Research your specific university's dormitory before accepting.
Private Accommodation
If you opt out of the dormitory, you receive a housing contribution of HUF 40,000/month (~EUR 100). Tempus itself warns it won't cover full rent in bigger cities, especially Budapest — it barely covers a room in a shared flat.
Typical monthly rents (our estimates)
- Budapest shared room: EUR 250–400; studio: EUR 450–700
- Debrecen shared room: EUR 150–250
- Szeged shared room: EUR 130–220
- Pécs shared room: EUR 120–200
Challenges
- Many landlords require a 2-month deposit upfront.
- Discrimination against non-European tenants is documented.
- Language barrier in rental negotiations.
- You must prove accommodation for your residence permit.
- The EUR 100 housing contribution doesn't cover costs.
City Housing Comparison
| City | Shared room | Studio/1BR | Dorm quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budapest | EUR 250–400 | EUR 450–700 | Mixed — some renovated, some old |
| Debrecen | EUR 150–250 | EUR 250–400 | Generally newer facilities |
| Szeged | EUR 130–220 | EUR 220–350 | Decent, university-town feel |
| Pécs | EUR 120–200 | EUR 200–320 | Affordable, but older buildings |
| Miskolc | EUR 100–170 | EUR 180–280 | Cheapest option |
Related: Living costs · Scholarship amount