What were the hardest parts of settling into life in Hungary?

Hi everyone,Hungarian here.I’m doing some early research for a set of practical, everyday language and life toolkits aimed at people who’ve recently moved to Hungary. The goal is to make those first days and weeks — when the language feels unfamiliar and everyday tasks take much more effort than expected — a bit easier to navigate.I’d really appreciate hearing from people who’ve already gone through this:What were the biggest challenges when you first arrived?This could be things like:– situations where English wasn’t enough– administrative or everyday tasks that were unexpectedly difficult– cultural norms that weren’t obvious– moments where a small amount of local language knowledge would’ve helped a lotI’m trying to base this on real experiences rather than assumptions, so any insights are very welcome.Thanks in advance for sharing. - @xenoph

English is rarely enough.   I wouldn't recommend people go to Hungary.  Language skills amongst the population are abysmal.   People in places like Croatia speak much better English.  Hungarian is a niche language for the region.  I've lived in Hungary for years and I can hardly speak it.  I understand stuff but my wife does all the HU necessities.    My fall back was German but even that is becoming harder.  My kids and wife are all learning Spanish currently in case Orban gets back in as  Mrs Fluffy says we should leave then.

@fluffy2560

On the borders, you will find that they speak 2 languages, Hungarian and the neighbouring language. Like in Soppron they will speak Hungarian and German in the shops. I've also noticed that the younger generation will speak some English, but not always. Quite possibly, English, as in a lot of places, will be spoken in tourist areas, and if you are very lucky, you might find an English menu in restaurants. 

@fluffy2560

Thanks for sharing your experience — that’s useful context.

What you describe around English not being enough, relying on a partner for Hungarian-only situations, and the difficulty of finding a practical middle ground between “no Hungarian” and full fluency is exactly the kind of gap I’m trying to understand better. Not to push anyone toward full language learning, but to see where small amounts of targeted language knowledge could reduce day-to-day friction.

I’m mainly interested in identifying those specific situations where the language barrier creates the most practical difficulties for people who are already living here. Your perspective helps clarify that.

@fluffy2560
Thanks for sharing your experience — that’s useful context.
What you describe around English not being enough, relying on a partner for Hungarian-only situations, and the difficulty of finding a practical middle ground between “no Hungarian” and full fluency is exactly the kind of gap I’m trying to understand better. Not to push anyone toward full language learning, but to see where small amounts of targeted language knowledge could reduce day-to-day friction.

I’m mainly interested in identifying those specific situations where the language barrier creates the most practical difficulties for people who are already living here. Your perspective helps clarify that. - @xenoph

In that context, why should people learn a language that they are never going to use? Which brings me to Tourism again, that's where they will use English more.

@SimCityAT

It’s not about encouraging people to learn the full language. The idea is more of a toolkit: a small set of practical, easy-to-use phrases that help people handle different everyday situations with less friction. Not fluency -- just enough to navigate the basics more comfortably.

@SimCityAT
It’s not about encouraging people to learn the full language. The idea is more of a toolkit: a small set of practical, easy-to-use phrases that help people handle different everyday situations with less friction. Not fluency -- just enough to navigate the basics more comfortably. - @xenoph

Ahg sorry got this wrong way round there.

Do you mean both:

1. English > Hungarian
2. Hungarain > English

The forum isn't that active as much as we would like, but you have met Fluffy whome is English and married to a Hungarian, then there is a lovely American lady Marilyn, who is married to a Hungarian. So between them, I am sure they can help you.

I live in Austria, although I don't frequent Hungary often, but I do visit from time to time. My wife, who is Austrian visits more, but speaks better English than I do

So please feel free to shoot any further questions, and we shall be pleased to help.

Are you Hungarian yourself? I am intrigued to know how you learnt English so well. Was it through school or university? Because it is very good.

My wife, whose mother language is German, and only learnt English at school, but for some reason likes English better, most of her posts on Facebook are in English for some reason.

@SimCityAT

Thank you for the kind and thoughtful reply -- much appreciated. 🙂

At first the focus would be on English -->  Hungarian, helping English speakers navigate everyday situations in Hungary. If the idea proves useful, I could see branching out later into other base languages as well -- German would likely be the first, given how often it still comes up in the region.

And yes, I am Hungarian. I think the main value I can add comes from first-hand, lived experience and native-level familiarity with the systems that tend to feel confusing or opaque from the outside. I lived abroad (mostly the UK/Scotland) for several years when I was younger, but even before that I had a strong affinity for English -- partly from school, partly from personal interest and exposure.

If I may, I’d love to ask you all a few more specific questions, mostly to better understand real-world needs rather than theory:

1. In everyday life, which situations caused the most frustration because of language, even after living in the region for a while?

1. Were there moments where you felt that just a handful of well-chosen phrases would have made a big difference, without needing to “learn the language” properly?

1. Are there areas of daily life (admin, services, healthcare, shopping, transport, etc.) that you feel are poorly explained or assumed knowledge for newcomers?

1. For people who don’t aim for fluency, what would you consider “good enough” language support to feel more independent?

1. Looking back, is there anything you wish someone had explained early on that would have saved time or stress?

Any perspective is very helpful, and I appreciate you taking the time to engage -- especially given how quiet forums can be these days.

OK, here is my thoughts

1. In everyday life, which situations caused the most frustration because of language, even after living in the region for a while?

Paying for something

1. Were there moments where you felt that just a handful of well-chosen phrases would have made a big difference, without needing to “learn the language” properly?

Please, thank you, polite sayings

1. Are there areas of daily life (admin, services, healthcare, shopping, transport, etc.) that you feel are poorly explained or assumed knowledge for newcomers?

Where doctors, Pharmacists, train stations, supermarkets, and bus terminals are (basic directions).

1. For people who don’t aim for fluency, what would you consider “good enough” language support to feel more independent?

Pretty much as the 1st & 2nd questions

1. Looking back, is there anything you wish someone had explained early on that would have saved time or stress?

Can't say  anything

@fluffy2560
Thanks for sharing your experience — that’s useful context.
What you describe around English not being enough, relying on a partner for Hungarian-only situations, and the difficulty of finding a practical middle ground between “no Hungarian” and full fluency is exactly the kind of gap I’m trying to understand better. Not to push anyone toward full language learning, but to see where small amounts of targeted language knowledge could reduce day-to-day friction.

I’m mainly interested in identifying those specific situations where the language barrier creates the most practical difficulties for people who are already living here. Your perspective helps clarify that. - @xenoph

It's just basic questions one has or public administration one need to interact with. 

There's always a problem with opening one's mouth in English with tradespeople.  The price goes up as the locals perceive foreigners as being rich.  So I usually keep my mouth shut and leave Mrs Fluffy to deal with that kind of thing.   

It's a lot easier in other countries where the language is similar in some way to English.  German for example.

BTW our kids are bilingual but they are pretty much stuck when it comes to complex matters.   They don't have vocabulary to deal with technical or slang stuff.  They sound English with slight accents.  But there are gaps.  They don't know common phrases like "Let's have a brew".  I guess it's hardly surprising as they were completely educated in Hungary.

Thanks for the additional insights — much appreciated.

All the points about basic questions, admin interactions, payment situations, and the hesitation around using English with tradespeople are helpful to hear. It’s useful to see how these everyday moments can become stress points.

Thanks again for taking the time to share your experiences.

Been with my Hungarian husband since I was a teenager.

He learned English the hard way in the US.

On his own with many mistakes.

We have retired in Hungary over 15 years ago.

The few old HU friends we knew from the US that also have moved back to Hungary all spoke English.

We no longer socialize with them, for various reasons.  Mostly they do not need us any longer....

That being said, I tried to learn some Hungarian when we first moved here; At every turn someone would start to practice their English on me so I did not get far with learning Hungarian.Thought of going to a language school but never found the time.

On top of that, my husband,s English may be more or less blue collar but his Hungarian is 100 percent perfect with proper wording etc;

He did not want me to learn, so called, street Hungarian and sound stupid or what he considers uneducated Hungarian.

He also threw too much info my way at once and turned me off from learning anything more then the very basic words.

We live in the city and seems many people speak English here.

The problem my husband says is in a foreign language a person loses all their personality until they can master the new language, he says for most people it takes a good 10 years or longer to learn it well enough to hold a conversation of any importance.

Can  figure out simple things but not much else.

The only American we knew who learned proper Hungarian without an accent and could hold real conversations was the HU guy my husband worked with,s wife.

She could afford to visit Hungary for months on end for years, her MIL came for months at a time to Ca; and taught her; Plus this women was rather smarter then average, was a pilot at 16.

When anything broke down in her home, she was the one rewiring tv sets, fixing her own car just because she could even if she could afford new things.

Even foreigners on local HU tv who are interviewed my husband finds hard to understand. Only this one women could speak properly in HU.

High standards?

Forget it,I am too old to care now.

Some medical centers have signs here that state to bring in a HU speaker with you or do not come in.

We asked if one of those  language translators would be OK to use. Yes they are, just goes to show how bad most newbie HU speakers are if a made in China language device works.

I know a hairdresser here who speaks Spanish and English was in his 30s when he took HU language classes. he sees all sorts of people all day long and all is BF,s are Hungarian so his language skills are pretty good.

My husband tells me if God forbid something happens to him, I should RUN from Hungary.

Prices in some places tend to be different if you do not speak Hungarian.

In public my husband always reminds me to shut it up or the price will change.

Hate to make this into a rant but, lately in public when I am speaking to my husband only, he notices faces of people around us.

IDK but he swears they are not happy about foreigners. Even though he was born and raised in Budapest.

I hardly

notice just because I am not the type of person who cares what people think as long as I am minding my own business.

They should do the same.

My husband says lately there are allot of anti foreign feeling in Hungary.

Could be true.

In any case the culture in Hungary is to not speak to strangers unless you are forced to.

Perhaps younger people want to ;make friends? but in general people are not open to talking to strangers here unless they want something.

Can sit in a doctors office for hours and no one speaks to anyone.

@Marilyn Tassy

Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a detailed perspective, it’s incredibly valuable. I’m noting all of it, and my goal is to create something that genuinely helps in real, everyday situations without any hassle or heavy grammar --just pure practicality.

Your insights highlight exactly where newcomers to the language struggle, and they’ll directly shape how I build the toolkit.

Thanks again for your openness, it’s greatly appreciated.

@xenoph

My main language is English. In Budapest most of the activities I do are with English speakers led by Hungarians who like to improve their English language skills.

I even helped out in a language school for four years where I helped learners improve their conversational skills.

I don't think I will ever be able to fully converse in Hungarian but it's not that necessarily  in the capital city. I've got a lot of Hungarian friends so if I have anything official to do I have always got someone who will come with me. Or to read complicated letters.

In the countryside its a different picture . I have a cottage in a forest area and the few neighbours around are very busy looking after animals and maintaining their land.

People only tend to socialise with their family and other locals who they know from school days.

However the main purpose of me and friends staying staying there is to observe nature, have long breaks from city life, complete some art work and enjoy the garden.

@Marilyn Tassy

True and then some.

Prices going up for foreigners?100% true!

I have a hungarian mate,i get him to buy order my steel and materials.While working in the UK,i mentioned this to a hungarian welder,he replied

"Its normal" he said,"If i go home and want to build a house,it will be 50%more than a local pays."

Problem is the low wages here for years,breeds resentment for foreigners,They think we are all rich!!I can only conclude they're incredibly jealous.

Language,I'm here 13 yrs nearly now,and can speak a little,understanding is harder.

Buying tools etc in a shop in the earlier days,

MAGYARUL! this 1 guy would say in a loud voice,attracting attention of others.Magyarul means Hungarian only.

Had a spel in hospital,I've had doctors ask/say to me,"Why are you here if you cant speak Hungarian?"

I never had it in school i replied.

French of eastern europe🤔 Arrogant,in the way they can understand you just refuse to.

Luckily they are not the same in all respects.Very hospitable if you go to their houses.But there is a big culture gap.I keep myself to myself,go shopping,stay polite.

Where i live,you dont hear English.not many speak it.Hungarian and German only.I dont speak German.But i do speak Dutch,broken French and Spanish but non of them help here🤣

I could go on,just ignore it,smile and leave them with their misery.

Have a wonderful day

I really am tried of my husband saying every time we are at a farmers market or shop to be quiet. He is a more sensitive soul then I am, he gets mad when he feels the vibe of people pulling faces even slightly when they hear anything but Hungarian.

Believe me for years in the US we helped Hungarians get jobs and learn to drive .

Their English was not very good but Americans would go out of their way to understand them.

Almost every American has or had relatives who spoke broken English and had accents and we never made a joke out of them.

In fact at age 19 I got 2 Hungarian women jobs where I worked.

OK, some of the teenage cooks had issues with one of them, her last name was Kaasar, the called her Baazar. She had been a member of they young communist youth party and she tried pulling that all for one one for all stuff in Ca. No, no one would take it, too bossy.

I found it funny because she never tried that with me.

I quit the job, at the time I was the boss of the crew of ladies. When I came back 6 months later I lost my spot and she had risen to the top.

No one was very happy with her, no issue for me since she knew I got her hired and I was going to have a baby. She treated me like family, forced me to take breaks etc.

My husband wants to move from Hungary, he says he sees why he left in the first place.

Yes, everyone thinks if you are from the west your are rich or if not, you are a loser.

Scary thing was about 4 years ago I went into oncology for treatment.

The professor of the clinic , the so called boss, asked me straight away before any treatments were started if I was a HU citizen or not. I said no, he could see my husband was HU.

He looked at me and said , That is too bad. Not something you want to hear when he is in control of your health. Never found out what that meant.

What does being a citizen or not have to do with getting proper treatment??

I am find now, he even was friendly with me last visit, still... Things that make you wonder why.

@Marilyn Tassy
True and then some.
Prices going up for foreigners?100% true!
I have a hungarian mate,i get him to buy order my steel and materials.While working in the UK,i mentioned this to a hungarian welder,he replied
"Its normal" he said,"If i go home and want to build a house,it will be 50%more than a local pays."
Problem is the low wages here for years,breeds resentment for foreigners,They think we are all rich!!I can only conclude they're incredibly jealous.
Language,I'm here 13 yrs nearly now,and can speak a little,understanding is harder.
Buying tools etc in a shop in the earlier days,
MAGYARUL! this 1 guy would say in a loud voice,attracting attention of others.Magyarul means Hungarian only.
Had a spel in hospital,I've had doctors ask/say to me,"Why are you here if you cant speak Hungarian?"
I never had it in school i replied.
French of eastern europe🤔 Arrogant,in the way they can understand you just refuse to.
Luckily they are not the same in all respects.Very hospitable if you go to their houses.But there is a big culture gap.I keep myself to myself,go shopping,stay polite.
Where i live,you dont hear English.not many speak it.Hungarian and German only.I dont speak German.But i do speak Dutch,broken French and Spanish but non of them help here🤣
I could go on,just ignore it,smile and leave them with their misery.
Have a wonderful day - @Weldcon

Magyarul, how rude.

In the US we often shopped in a Mexican store, the produce prices were great and they had a good variety of items.

They would look at us weird because it was obvious we were not Mexican. I hate that sort of behavior.

In general though born US Americans do not discriminate like that.

How many times did I cut the hair of Persians, Mexicans and even some Europeans who spoke no English. Just takes a few extra minutes to communicate with them. Simple, enough, do not need to know their life history just the basics.

We never changed prices for foriegners or anyone, rich or poor.

The saying, you get what you pay for applied to everyone.

I have really given up on trying to learn Hungarian, I can understand allot but really no need to get that chummy with people. A serious conversation like one would hope to have with a doctor would take too many years of study just to say a few sentences and ask a couple of questions.

I also was in hospital in Hungary 3 times. Once for 24 hours with knee surgery, once just half a day for a shoulder thing.

Then in isolation in oncology clinic for 5 days during covid.

I like being in isolation the best!

No  need for anyone to bother me or speak or judge.

One nurse would bring in a tray and other would shoot me up with medication; one morning cleaning lady would come in for 5 mins.

Otherwise peace.

Funny though, not sure what was going on every evening at 7pm to 8pm.

The rest of the patients not in isolation either had visitors which I doubt because of the covid restrictions or they were having their own loud party; Someone must of brought in palinka. I swear they were laughing and talking really loud for a good hour every night, then lights out and all quiet on the western front.

Wild for sure.

I really am tried of my husband saying every time we are at a farmers market or shop to be quiet. He is a more sensitive soul then I am, he gets mad when he feels the vibe of people pulling faces even slightly when they hear anything but Hungarian.Believe me for years in the US we helped Hungarians get jobs and learn to drive .Their English was not very good but Americans would go out of their way to understand them.Almost every American has or had relatives who spoke broken English and had accents and we never made a joke out of them.In fact at age 19 I got 2 Hungarian women jobs where I worked. OK, some of the teenage cooks had issues with one of them, her last name was Kaasar, the called her Baazar. She had been a member of they young communist youth party and she tried pulling that all for one one for all stuff in Ca. No, no one would take it, too bossy.I found it funny because she never tried that with me.I quit the job, at the time I was the boss of the crew of ladies. When I came back 6 months later I lost my spot and she had risen to the top.No one was very happy with her, no issue for me since she knew I got her hired and I was going to have a baby. She treated me like family, forced me to take breaks etc.My husband wants to move from Hungary, he says he sees why he left in the first place.Yes, everyone thinks if you are from the west your are rich or if not, you are a loser.Scary thing was about 4 years ago I went into oncology for treatment.The professor of the clinic , the so called boss, asked me straight away before any treatments were started if I was a HU citizen or not. I said no, he could see my husband was HU.He looked at me and said , That is too bad. Not something you want to hear when he is in control of your health. Never found out what that meant.What does being a citizen or not have to do with getting proper treatment??I am find now, he even was friendly with me last visit, still... Things that make you wonder why. - @Marilyn Tassy

I don't really understand this foreigner thing.  I think possibly they are embarrassed they don't understand a foreign language and are not prepared for it.  They should understand, either German and/or English.  They get it at school.  Probably never paid attention.   

We have got to know tradespeople who can speak reasonable English or passable German and don't come the foreigner rip off.  Those people are more likely to get jobs with us when we need someone. 

Contrast with Serbia where I went to a corner shop to buy some milk.  I spoke to her in German at first but she replied in English.  GOOD English.  I found this to be the same in many places in Serbia.  They all seemed to be able to communicate.  Much the same in Croatia.

The doctor thing is really odd.   Mrs F had a bun in the oven (our first) and I went with her to the hospital.  The doc realised I was British and proceeded to tell me about her treatment but not telling her in Hungarian.  She speaks great English so she understood but why tell me?  Mrs F was the patient. 

The other one - years ago - was Mrs F coming back by plane from the UK on her own.  This was before T2 opened.  Shows how long ago it was.  At the passport guy, she was asked why she'd been to the UK.  She said, I was with my boyfriend.  He asked if I was English to which she said yes and then bizarrely he added, "No good Hungarians available?".   Like WTF?  How rude! 

As for speaking Hungarian, I'm an appalling example. I am useless.  I work in an English speaking environment so there's no incentive except at home and in earlier days, knowing German was far more important.   But we do speak Hungarian phrases to each other at Fluffy Towers.   We just pepper our speech with Hungarian words.  We call it Hunglish!

@Weldcon

Many tradespeople are much richer than waiters and shop staff. This is when you see that they work away in Austria. As I have said many times before, all the staff digging up the roads etc... are from Hungary, Slovakia, and carehome nurses/staff are the same, from Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Romania, etc They are doing the jobs that the Austrians don't want. Housekeeping staff in hotels are mainly Hungarian; they laugh when they take home €2000 a month, and back home they take €600, in Austria you have a 14 month salary as well. You can't blame them really.

I worked with a lad, he gave up his job in Hungary, he was intelegent lad, was a manager of a shop, and was on €600 a month, he was earning €1500 as a potwash in Austria, he spoke only Hungarian and English and was learning German so he could be a waiter/barman then he could get even more with tips. That was 10 years ago. He made money on the side, bringing cigs over for the rest of the staff.

@Weldcon
Many tradespeople are much richer than waiters and shop staff. This is when you see that they work away in Austria. As I have said many times before, all the staff digging up the roads etc... are from Hungary, Slovakia, and carehome nurses/staff are the same, from Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Romania, etc They are doing the jobs that the Austrians don't want. Housekeeping staff in hotels are mainly Hungarian; they laugh when they take home €2000 a month, and back home they take €600, in Austria you have a 14 month salary as well. You can't blame them really. - @SimCityAT

We know this ourselves. A friend of ours who is a professional simultaneous translator for English/Hungarian went to Austria to work as a housekeeper in a large hotel there.   Doubled or tripled her income easily.   And was able to learn German really fast.  But her brain is wired for it.

Just had a look and a shop assistant's pay is 322,800 Ft, which is approximately €845.93.

Minimum Wage (2026): The minimum salary for unskilled workers is 322,800 Ft/month (1,856 Ft/hour), while for skilled positions, it is 373,200 Ft/month (2,145 Ft/hour).

Shop assistant pay varies by region and experience, with a typical gross salary in Austria ranging from roughly €1,400 to over €3,800 per month, with an average closer to €2,000–€2,500 monthly for experienced staff. Vienna offers higher rates, averaging €34,186 annually (€16/hour). Entry-level roles start lower, while senior staff can earn over €40,000 annually.

I just saw a job being advertised for a hospital porter - taking patients from one ward to another etc, €39.500 a year. 

Sorry, going off topic now.

Just had a look and a shop assistant's pay is 322,800 Ft, which is approximately €845.93.
Minimum Wage (2026): The minimum salary for unskilled workers is 322,800 Ft/month (1,856 Ft/hour), while for skilled positions, it is 373,200 Ft/month (2,145 Ft/hour).

Shop assistant pay varies by region and experience, with a typical gross salary in Austria ranging from roughly €1,400 to over €3,800 per month, with an average closer to €2,000–€2,500 monthly for experienced staff. Vienna offers higher rates, averaging €34,186 annually (€16/hour). Entry-level roles start lower, while senior staff can earn over €40,000 annually.

I just saw a job being advertised for a hospital porter - taking patients from one ward to another etc, €39.500 a year.

Sorry, going off topic now. - @SimCityAT

Pretty much says it all about the brain drain here.

No one in Hungary wants to take responsibility for anything with their jobs.

In Dec.we had to, actually forced to change our water meter.

Gas and electric companies change the meters every few years at their own expense.

Not so with the closed corp. known as the water co.

They demand you change the meter every 8 years and charge you for the pleasure.

38,000 forints extra.

We did that.

Got our recent bill which was so high. 55,000 forints and the charge for 92 cubic meters;

Our monthly average for the last 18 plus years is about 12 cubic meters.

We paid the 38,000 so it was not a mistake of not paying for the meter on the recent bill.

Traveled over to the 13th district to the wateer co. They had a cashier , clerks who would go over the bills with you if you had questions etc;

That office was closed for good, all dismantled inside;

Sign said to go near Nyugati; Went over there,

supervisor was called, big run around , they do not any longer go over your bills, not their job!

Sent to yet another office near Duna Plaza.

They close at 2pm, nice hours if you can get them!

Arrived about 1:30, not busy husband was called to a desk.

He had years of bills with him and prove of all payments.

Sorry, they do not go over bills with customers any longer!!

Just call in your meter readings; Got close to 2 so they turned the lights off inside!!

Customers still  inside!

In the end we left with no answers just anger;

They asked if we wanted to set up a payment plan, heck no we always pay our bills in full if we owe them that is.

As we left I got a cup of water from the water tank in a small cup.Had to say out loud, here is a free cup of water, better take it!

Went and paid the bill at the post office.

We can not really prove a thing but something smells fishy!! They said they no longer send out meter readers due to covid rules! Cheap excuse . They also do not go over bills with customers! Take it or leave it!

The meter readings my husband wrote down before the meter was changed out, of course on their papers it was not written down; Some sort of customer scam, kick back deal going on??

Terrible when you can not trust anyone in the system to be honest.

Guess we know where those annual bonuses come from!!

Still really angry, feel extorted.

Gas and electric companies change the meters every few years at their own expense.
- @Marilyn Tassy

I've lived in a number of countries; the only time they have changed the metre was to a smart metre. They have never changed them every few years- You must be mistaken, Marilyn.

Gas and electric companies change the meters every few years at their own expense.
- @Marilyn Tassy
I've lived in a number of countries; the only time they have changed the metre was to a smart metre. They have never changed them every few years- You must be mistaken, Marilyn. - @SimCityAT

Marilyn is correct, the meters are changed regularly.  They say they do it to calibrate them.  They also do it with electricity meters if they are mechanical types with the spinning wheel.   All our meters for electricity are digital.  But the water meter is mechanical for sure.

The water in our village used to be run locally by the local government but now it's shifted to Budapest water.  This is where it's all going wrong.   We also use low amounts of water.  However, we have a pop up swimming pool which takes 16000 litres of water.  They noticed that on the usage and told us we had a leak.  But we have new water pipes as it was all renewed when the house was rebuilt.  So I can see 2 x 16000 litres being used as over the amount we would use normally.  So no, leak.

So far, we've not had any mad bills for water.  We in fact have been in our house 10 years and it took them 5+ years to catch up with us.   They just didn't know what we were using so they came with a new meter, changed it, and got the bills streamlined.  We've got nothing substantial to complain about apart from interruptions that are common place for utilities in HU.

Gas and electric companies change the meters every few years at their own expense. - @Marilyn TassyI've lived in a number of countries; the only time they have changed the metre was to a smart metre. They have never changed them every few years- You must be mistaken, Marilyn. - @SimCityAT

Sadly it is true;

We have changed meters out a couple of times over the past 18 years in Budapest.

Once we were in the US so had our nephew come and let them in. It was the gas meter that time.

Since we were not there, they left a huge mess and repainted a area on the wall really sloppy like.

This is the second time we HAD to change the water meter; They send out a notice and will fine you if not done within their timeline.

We have our meters inside our flat, most people do a common meter and pay an average for the size of their flat and on how many people are living inside. Not us we are sepearate from the common usage lines.

Maybe it is just a Hungarian thing but they do it every few years, make sure no one has messed with the tags they put on as well.

My son,s evil MIL had:has a huge 3 story home in Buda;

The thing is they put some sort of magnet on their meters to make them run slower.

Maybe the companies have caught on to that trick and now are hard balling their customers.

I slightly remember our mob connected next door neighbor doing some crazy stuff in the house.

One day his MIL came running out the door screaming a warning to everyone in the house that the cable people were in the building! Guess some people had Jerry Rigged their cable lines??

No, not us, we do not play those games.

The only time I have had my meter changed was to a smart meter. Back in the UK it was never changed. 

The only time I have had my meter changed was to a smart meter. Back in the UK it was never changed. - @SimCityAT

Hungary, a law onto itself!

Recently the entire house had to change the electric meters from inside to outside ones.

Price depended on the size of the flat.

We paid something like $800. They just entered the flat to remove the old meter and stick a wire through the wall to just outside our door.

Enclosed in clear plastic so anyone can read the meter, or mess with it .

Not happy about that demand.

Not sure , think the electric company did not force this but our building manger did.

We just paid the $800; straight out to forget it but many people are still making payments on the meter.

So we still have our own meter but now anyone can access it!

Our next door neighbors meter is different then ours since her electric is a shared meter. Or if not shared she has a different system, like paying a day and night rate so 2 meters on her side.

So confusing;

Stupid things like this just get under our skin.

No one in Hungary wants to take responsibility for anything with their jobs.
In Dec.we had to, actually forced to change our water meter.
Gas and electric companies change the meters every few years at their own expense.
Not so with the closed corp. known as the water co.
They demand you change the meter every 8 years and charge you for the pleasure.
38,000 forints extra.
We did that.
Got our recent bill which was so high. 55,000 forints and the charge for 92 cubic meters;
Our monthly average for the last 18 plus years is about 12 cubic meters.
We paid the 38,000 so it was not a mistake of not paying for the meter on the recent bill.
Traveled over to the 13th district to the wateer co. They had a cashier , clerks who would go over the bills with you if you had questions etc;
That office was closed for good, all dismantled inside;
Sign said to go near Nyugati; Went over there,
supervisor was called, big run around , they do not any longer go over your bills, not their job!
Sent to yet another office near Duna Plaza.
They close at 2pm, nice hours if you can get them!
Arrived about 1:30, not busy husband was called to a desk.
He had years of bills with him and prove of all payments.
Sorry, they do not go over bills with customers any longer!!
Just call in your meter readings; Got close to 2 so they turned the lights off inside!!
Customers still inside!
In the end we left with no answers just anger;
They asked if we wanted to set up a payment plan, heck no we always pay our bills in full if we owe them that is.
As we left I got a cup of water from the water tank in a small cup.Had to say out loud, here is a free cup of water, better take it!
Went and paid the bill at the post office.
We can not really prove a thing but something smells fishy!! They said they no longer send out meter readers due to covid rules! Cheap excuse . They also do not go over bills with customers! Take it or leave it!
The meter readings my husband wrote down before the meter was changed out, of course on their papers it was not written down; Some sort of customer scam, kick back deal going on??
Terrible when you can not trust anyone in the system to be honest.
Guess we know where those annual bonuses come from!!
Still really angry, feel extorted. - @Marilyn Tassy

Hi Marilyn,

Thats sucks!!

All i can suggest is,

If your meter is easilt accessible,Take a photo.

Container,10ltrs. Fill it,watch the meter,film it and when container is full.Record amount.

80cube is a lot of water.

Leak? Make sure all appliances,etc are off.Check the meter.If its running,even a litte bit,you have a leak.Another test,long screwdriver,Big knitting needle,Put point on the,a water pipe after meter.

Put your ear on the end,not in your ear,on the bump infront onf earhole.Works like a stethescope.

If you hear hissing,you have a leak.

Do you live in a multi residence building?

Ask neighbours if they had new meters and how big their bills are.

If its a leak,needs to be dealt with.Erosian under building for 1.

Very negligent of water company.

The only time I have had my meter changed was to a smart meter. Back in the UK it was never changed.  - @SimCityATHungary, a law onto itself!Recently the entire house had to change the electric meters from inside to outside ones.Price depended on the size of the flat.We paid something like $800. They just entered the flat to remove the old meter and stick a wire through the wall to just outside our door.Enclosed in clear plastic so anyone can read the meter, or mess with it .Not happy about that demand.Not sure , think the electric company did not force this but our building manger did.We just paid the $800; straight out to forget it but many people are still making payments on the meter.So we still have our own meter but now anyone can access it!Our next door neighbors meter is different then ours since her electric is a shared meter. Or if not shared she has a different system, like paying a day and night rate so 2 meters on her side.So confusing;Stupid things like this just get under our skin. - @Marilyn Tassy

Smart meter?

Be happy it is outside!!!

I never see anyone from electric company since they installed it.

I do have a question yhough,Do they have a cheap rate here? My immersion heater is coming on at 10am,and its not controlled by me,cant change it.

Gas,got them to shut it off yrs ago,just after i moved in.Standing charge was more than i used monthly,only cook on gas bottles.

They weren't happy.In fact in my small village hardly anyone is on mains gas.

The only time I have had my meter changed was to a smart meter. Back in the UK it was never changed. - @SimCityATHungary, a law onto itself!Recently the entire house had to change the electric meters from inside to outside ones.Price depended on the size of the flat.We paid something like $800. They just entered the flat to remove the old meter and stick a wire through the wall to just outside our door.Enclosed in clear plastic so anyone can read the meter, or mess with it .Not happy about that demand.Not sure , think the electric company did not force this but our building manger did.We just paid the $800; straight out to forget it but many people are still making payments on the meter.So we still have our own meter but now anyone can access it!Our next door neighbors meter is different then ours since her electric is a shared meter. Or if not shared she has a different system, like paying a day and night rate so 2 meters on her side.So confusing;Stupid things like this just get under our skin. - @Marilyn Tassy
Smart meter?
Be happy it is outside!!!
I never see anyone from electric company since they installed it.
I do have a question yhough,Do they have a cheap rate here? My immersion heater is coming on at 10am,and its not controlled by me,cant change it.
Gas,got them to shut it off yrs ago,just after i moved in.Standing charge was more than i used monthly,only cook on gas bottles.
They weren't happy.In fact in my small village hardly anyone is on mains gas. - @Weldcon

I am guessing it is a smart meter.

If I had a home and could decide about meters, I would never allow a smart meter attached to my house.

I honestly can not really answer your questions.

I let my HU husband take care of these matters for the most part.

I do not like the stress. I do however think they have different electric plans. Some heat the water heaters at night only and other plans turn on  as needed anytime; Those cost more.

You would have to ask someone with more knowledge on contracts and bill payments.

Lived in Hawaii for awhile and overall they have no gas over there for heating.

Had brought over a gas clothing dryer and had to get a hook up to use gas bottles to run it.

All stoves over there are electric ones.

The only time I have had my meter changed was to a smart meter. Back in the UK it was never changed.  - @SimCityAT
Hungary, a law onto itself!
Recently the entire house had to change the electric meters from inside to outside ones.
Price depended on the size of the flat.
We paid something like $800. They just entered the flat to remove the old meter and stick a wire through the wall to just outside our door.
Enclosed in clear plastic so anyone can read the meter, or mess with it .
Not happy about that demand.
Not sure , think the electric company did not force this but our building manger did.
We just paid the $800; straight out to forget it but many people are still making payments on the meter.
So we still have our own meter but now anyone can access it!
Our next door neighbors meter is different then ours since her electric is a shared meter. Or if not shared she has a different system, like paying a day and night rate so 2 meters on her side.
So confusing;
Stupid things like this just get under our skin. - @Marilyn Tassy

We've got two meters.  One is normal and one is for off-peak electricity for out air-conditioning/heat pump.   It's switched off 0800-1000h and 1600-1800h.  Probably the neighbours have the same system as us, possibly connected to their heating.  The electricity company sends an automatic signal when it changes rate.  Both of the meters are behind plastic covers and on the front of the house.  Sometimes someone comes to check on it. The plastic covers are very discoloured by weather and UV light making them non-transparent.  She told us if you spray WD-40 on the covers, you can see and they carry little cans of it.  It does indeed make it readable.

There was a thing recently when all apartments had to have their own electricity meters.  I remember them doing it my BIL's apartment building.

@Xenoph - Have you looked at the Internations Expat Guide?

They publish it every year and you can get a look into all sorts of expats' experiences and opinions, but just at a macro scale. Good to look at trends over the years.

Let me know if you need more info on it.