Tuition Fees and Cost of Living for Students in Hungary
By Muntasir Minhaz • Published Aug 03, 2026 • Study Abroad, Study in Europe, Country & City Guides, Money & Budgeting
Part of the guide Tuition Fees and Cost of Living for Students in Europe by Country
International tuition in Hungary runs roughly EUR 1,500-5,000 a year at public universities and EUR 5,000-12,000 at private ones, with medicine and dentistry reaching up to EUR 16,000. Add EUR 375-700 a month for living costs, with university dorms the cheapest housing option under EUR 150 a month.
💶 Public university tuition: EUR 1,500-5,000/year
Private university tuition: EUR 5,000-12,000/year
Medicine and dentistry: up to EUR 16,000/year
🏠 University dorm room: EUR 80-150/month
Private flat: EUR 275-800/month depending on city and room type
⏱️ Students can work up to 30 hours a week during term
Tuition Fees by Institution Type
Tuition for international students in Hungary depends on whether you study at a public or private institution, and on your field. Public universities generally charge less than private ones, and specialized medical or dental programs cost more than general bachelor and master degrees, according to figures compiled from university-published fee tables by Mastersportal .
| Institution type | Typical annual tuition |
|---|---|
| Public university, most fields | EUR 1,500-5,000 |
| Private university | EUR 5,000-12,000 |
| Medicine, dentistry, public or private | up to EUR 16,000 |
Check the specific program page for the current fee, since amounts change year to year and vary widely even within the same university depending on the department.
Extra Fees Beyond Tuition
Budget for costs on top of the headline tuition figure. Application fees commonly run EUR 150-200, and a separate registration fee of around EUR 200 often applies once you accept your place. Some universities also require a refundable deposit, typically around EUR 500, held against your first semester and returned or credited against later fees.
Monthly Living Costs
Total living costs for international students in Hungary typically fall between EUR 375 and EUR 700 a month, depending on your spending habits and type of accommodation, according to Mastersportal . Accommodation is usually the largest expense, and it varies more than any other cost line depending on whether you land a dorm room or rent privately.
| Housing type | Typical monthly cost |
|---|---|
| University dormitory (kollegium) | EUR 80-150 |
| Private dormitory, shared room | from EUR 200 |
| Private dormitory, single room | from EUR 400 |
| Shared flat room, Budapest | EUR 350-550 |
| Studio or one-bed flat, Budapest | EUR 500-800 |
| Room, other cities (Debrecen, Pecs, Szeged) | EUR 200-400 |
Figures for private housing come from current student housing market data . University dorms are the cheapest option, but places are limited and go first to Stipendium Hungaricum scholars and domestic students, so plan a private-rental backup if you do not secure one.
Food, Transport and Everyday Costs
Groceries, transport passes, phone plans and social spending fill the rest of your monthly budget outside rent. Budapest and other university cities offer discounted public transport passes for students, and most universities run subsidized canteens, which keep daily food costs down compared to eating out. A monthly budget of EUR 375-700 total for a single person, rent included, matches the range reported across current student cost guides for Hungary.
Sample Monthly Budget
| Item | Estimated monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | EUR 150-550 |
| Food and groceries | EUR 125-200 |
| Transport | EUR 10-30 |
| Phone, utilities, extras | EUR 50-100 |
| Total | EUR 375-700 |
Working to Cover Costs
International students in Hungary can work part-time to offset living costs. You can work up to 30 hours a week during term and up to 90 days, or 66 working days, during university breaks, according to the official Study in Hungary portal.
Net pay for unskilled work runs around EUR 445 a month for an 8-hour day, rising to around EUR 550 a month for skilled roles, based on the same source. That income covers a meaningful share of your monthly budget if your course schedule leaves room for it.