My First Month in Budapest: Transportation, SIM Cards, Banking, Doctors, and Useful Apps

The first month in a new city involves a lot of small tasks: transportation, phone service, banking, doctors, and utility providers. In this guide, we’ve listed what you should take care of right after arriving in Budapest—and what you can safely leave for later.

During the first few days

Arrival and Transportation from the Airport

• There are scheduled buses and taxis running from the airport to downtown. It’s a good idea to use an app (such as Bolt) to book a taxi, so you can see the fare in advance.
• Before you get in, agree on a price, or use a ride-hailing app—don't take a ride from a driver who approaches you on the street or at the exit.

Cell Phones and the Internet

• There are three major service providers in Hungary: Magyar Telekom, Yettel, and One. You can sign up for a subscription or purchase a prepaid SIM card from any of them.
• You must register a physical SIM card, which requires an ID card or passport. The safest option is to purchase and register it at the service provider's store.
• If you need a quick solution for the first few days, you can also use an eSIM, which you can set up before you arrive.
• To sign up for a subscription (a longer-term contract), you generally need to provide your address and a Hungarian bank account.

Money

• For the first few days, your debit card or an international money transfer app (such as Wise or Revolut) will suffice. You can pay by card at most places, but some smaller establishments require cash, so be sure to carry a little forint with you.
• Don't exchange your money at currency exchange counters at the airport or on the street, because the exchange rate is usually worse there. When paying by card, always choose the forint, not your own currency.

During the first week

Housing and Service Providers

• Ask the landlord for the keys and the handover report, and write down the meter readings (see the rental guide).
• Put your name on the mailbox and the doorbell; otherwise, official mail won't reach you.
• Check with the landlord to find out which utility providers are in whose name (electricity, gas, water, internet) and what the expected utility costs are (see the article on security deposits, common area fees, and utility costs).

Transportation in the City

• Budapest has a metro, trams, buses, and trolleybuses, and you can walk to most places in the city center.
• You can buy tickets or passes through the BudapestGO app, at ticket vending machines, and at BKK customer service offices. If you travel regularly, the monthly Budapest pass is usually a better deal than individual tickets.
• It's important to validate your ticket before your trip (either in the app or using the handheld validator), because tickets are checked on board.
• Check the BKK website to see if you're eligible for a discount (for example, for students or retirees).
• You can use both BudapestGO and Google Maps to plan your route.

Useful Apps

• BudapestGO: route planning, ticket and pass purchases.
• Google Maps: walking and public transportation routes.
• Store: Taxis and Travel.
• Wolt or Foodora: food delivery.
• MÁV: train tickets.
• Google Translate: For translating Hungarian text; subtitles can also be translated using the camera feature.

During the first month

Residence Registration and Stay

• This is the most important official requirement: as an EU citizen, you must report your address and apply for a registration certificate by the 93rd day after your arrival; as a non-EU citizen, you need a certificate of residence to obtain a residence permit. You can find the details in the guide to renting an apartment for foreigners.
• You can read the official announcement on the Enter Hungary website.

Bank Account

• Most Hungarian banks (such as OTP, Erste, K&H, and CIB) require you to open an account in person and generally ask for your passport, residence card, or proof of address, or possibly a residence permit or work permit.
• Opening and maintaining an account may involve fees, so it's a good idea to compare the terms and conditions of several banks.
• You'll need a Hungarian bank account if you receive a paycheck from work or sign long-term contracts (such as for internet service).

Doctors and Health Insurance

• To obtain a health insurance ID number (TAJ number), you will typically need your passport, registration certificate, or residence permit, along with your address card, and you can apply for it at a government service center. Once you have it, you can register with a family doctor.
• If you are staying for a short period, as an EU citizen you can also receive medically necessary public health care using the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
• If you don't have insurance or aren't an EU citizen, it's a good idea to get private insurance and ask your employer or university.
• In case of an emergency, call the unified emergency number 112.

Pharmacy

• At the pharmacy, you can get certain medications without a prescription, but you need a doctor's prescription for prescription-only medications.

Important Information

This article is for informational purposes only. Service providers, fees, and official regulations are subject to change, so always check with the service provider or the relevant authority for the most up-to-date information.

We're happy to help you find an apartment: check out our properties for rent, or send us a message.