All about the working holiday in Hungary

Hungary is a lesser known destination in central Europe that deserves a detour. From its crown jewel capital Budapest to its many idyllic spa towns, you won't run out of things to do and places to see on your working holiday.
Wherever you are in the process of working holiday preparation, pvtistes.net provides free information and resources to help with your planning and big move.
Working Holiday Visa travel insurance.

We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005 (medical expenses, hospitalisation, repatriation…).

1 Eligibility requirements
Age limit

Between 18 and 30 or 35 years old

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Valid passport

A valid passport for the entire duration of your working holiday

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Sufficient funds

Enough savings to support yourself financially

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First participation

This must be your first participation

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Mandatory health insurance

Required as a part of your application

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Beat the quota

Apply before the annual quota is reached

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2 FAQ

01. What is the Working Holiday Visa?

WHVs are bilateral accords signed between governments to promote youth mobility and cultural exchange. Participating countries allow young adults to spend a set period of time (usually one year) living and working abroad. Most of the accords are signed between countries in Europe, the Americas, Oceania, and East Asia. A WHV encourages cultural exchange alongside the chance to gain valuable work experience, though participants are not obligated to work.

02. Which nationalities are eligible?

Young adults from the following countries can apply for the WHV to Hungary:

Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.

03. How long is the visa good for?

The WHV allows you to work and live in Hungary for up to one year.

04. What is pvtistes.net and how can it help me?

We are a team of current and former working holiday makers dedicated to providing free information and resources about the working holiday in Hungary and other destinations. Read our helpful articles, leave comments if you have questions, and check out our special deals.

We don’t ask for any money, and neither should anyone else in your application process (besides the embassy/consulate and their official partners). Be very careful of online scams where someone might ask you for an exorbitant amount to help you get your visa. Working Holiday Visas are designed to be relatively easy to obtain yourself, so there is absolutely no need to pay any professional service to do it on your behalf.

05. Where can I apply?

The application consists of 2 main steps:

  • 1) Complete the application form and gather supporting documents. These can all be found on this website.
  • 2) Submit the application at the Hungarian mission responsible for your jurisdiction (shortcuts to Australia and New Zealand). You may need to first request an appointment.

See additional information for applicants from Argentina and Hong Kong.

Contents
3 Buying health insurance

The official website states that “”Documentary evidence must be submitted as proof that the applicant has access to comprehensive health insurance services covering all healthcare services or that (s)he can cover the costs of such services.”” Without adequate insurance, out of pocket medical expenses can be exorbitant.

We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005. They have covered thousands of working holiday makers over the years.

Learn more about Globe WHV
Useful links
Contents
4 Opening a Hungarian forint account

Hungary’s currency is the forint (Ft, HUF). There are two main ways to open a foreign-currency account: via 1) a traditional bank or 2) an online neo-bank. Traditional banks usually require you to already be in the country. You would have to make and attend an appointment where a representative would ask you for some documents.

If you want to have a forint debit card in hand before even arriving in Hungary, you may want to consider the second option, an online neo-bank like Wise. It is an app that offers multi-currency financial services. Customers receive a physical debit card that can be used to withdraw cash at local ATMs. Your forint account would also have its own routing and account numbers, so you can set up autopay, direct deposits, or transfer money to recipients in Hungary. These capabilities could be useful in exchanges with your employer or landlord. You can register from your home country or once you arrive in Hungary. Learn more about Wise.

There are advantages to both options. Wise registration is simple and quick, but traditional banks offer the possibility of issuing and depositing cheques, if that is something you need. So you could make a Wise account first and then a traditional account once you arrive in Hungary.

Learn more about Wise
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5 Finding housing in Hungary

Once your application is approved, you’ll need to think about where to live, especially in the first few days and weeks. If you are planning on renting long term housing, we recommend you wait until you arrive in Hungary before paying a deposit or signing anything. Never send money to anyone without seeing the place in person.

For your first couple of weeks, you could consider hotels. But the most affordable option is going to be youth hostels. You can find some great ones on Hostelworld.

Find a hostel on Hostelworld
Useful links
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6 Getting ready for departure

After you get your visa, you will have plenty of things to take care of. Some of them are more urgent than others, so this list breaks down your to-dos, starting with the most urgent to the least. It may seem like a lot, but don’t worry, one step at a time!

Useful links
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7 Read up on other important topics

As you prepare for your working holiday in Hungary, check out our library of free articles and guides. Everyone on the pvtistes.net team has done (or is currently on) a working holiday, and so everything we write is from personal experience.

Library of free articles and guides on the working holiday
Useful links
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8 Check out language courses and other deals

This is also the perfect chance to learn or brush up on a foreign language. Babbel is partnering with pvtistes.net to offer 20% off on language courses (learn more). Also check out our other deals for working holiday makers.

Learn more about Babbel (-20%)
Our special offers
Take advantage of our special offers for flights, banking, money transfers, and language courses.
Read more
Contents
Age limit

All applicants must be at least 18, but the age limit differs by nationality:
– Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea: 30 years old
– New Zealand, Argentina, Chile, Taiwan: 35 years old

Valid passport

You must have a passport that is valid for the entire duration of your working holiday.

Sufficient funds

The Hungarian government does not provide a specific number, so use your best judgement and estimation for what you will need in at least the first 3 months. The official website states the following: “…proof that the applicant has sufficient resources, i.e. (s)he can cover costs related to his/her subsistence, accommodation, return/onward travel (i.e. exit from Hungary) and healthcare services from legally acquired income and savings.”

First participation

This must be your first participation. If you have already been granted a WHV to Hungary before, then you cannot apply again.

Mandatory health insurance

The official website states that “Documentary evidence must be submitted as proof that the applicant has access to comprehensive health insurance services covering all healthcare services or that (s)he can cover the costs of such services.”

Beat the quota

Apply before the annual quota is reached. Hungary sets an annual quota by nationality for the number of WHVs issued.
– Australia: 500
– New Zealand: 100
– Argentina, Chile, Hong Kong, Japan: 200 each
– South Korea and Taiwan: 100 each

Quotas may change slightly year to year.