Useful Resources
- Scholarship Database: catchthatscholarship.com/tools/scholarships/
- University Finder: catchthatscholarship.com/tools/university-finder/
- Stipendium Hungaricum Guide: How to Apply for the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship
How Much International Students Earn in Hungary
| Working limit | 30 hours/week |
| Minimum wage | 2,000 HUF/hour |
| Monthly average earning while studying | 240,000 HUF |
| Rent | Varies a lot by city and location (average: 80,000–90,000 HUF/month) |
| Groceries | 50,000 HUF/month |
| Total cost | Around 140,000 HUF |
| Monthly savings | 100,000 HUF |
| 12 months a year | 100,000 × 12 = 1,200,000 HUF = €3,200 |
€3,200 is around one semester's fees in Hungary. You need almost double that, around €5,500–€6,000, to cover your fees. If you are studying in Debrecen, it is even more. So, technically, it is not possible to earn your full tuition fees in Hungary.
Can You Earn Your Fees in Hungary?
The short answer is yes, it's possible, but you need to work extra hours during the semesters by doing food delivery, since there is no 30-hour weekly limit in Hungary for food delivery jobs. Students can work as much as they want and physically can. You also need to put in extra hours during the summer breaks.
But you need to consider the difficulties as well, such as:
- You suddenly fall sick.
- You are not able to work during extreme cold or snowfall.
- You need a new laptop or phone.
- Your friends are pushing you to go on a trip to Spain since you're in Europe.
- You want to buy new clothes during discounts.
All these are real everyday issues students go through. Students often put themselves under a lot of pressure trying to earn their tuition fees.
So my advice: look for cheaper alternatives like Romania, France, Austria, Germany, or Italy if you can.
Job Opportunities for University Students in Hungary
- Call center
- Administration (in the financial field)
- Light physical work
- Restaurant jobs
- Food delivery (most common)
How to Get a Part-Time Job in Hungary
Factory jobs and restaurant jobs: student agencies
Food delivery companies: Wolt, Foodora
More on Tuition Fees
For most international students studying Computer Science, Engineering, Business, or Medicine, yearly tuition commonly falls around €6,000–€7,000/year (roughly 2.3 million HUF). Besides tuition, students also need to budget for transportation, insurance, study materials, and personal expenses on top of rent and groceries.
More on Factory, Restaurant, and Hotel Jobs
Factory jobs (food production, packaging, warehouse, assembly) are usually found through student agencies like Meló-Diák and MŰISZ, paying around 1,800–2,400 HUF/hour on a shift basis. Shifts can be hard to get at first due to competition, but open up during exam periods. Night shifts pay more.
Restaurant jobs offer a more fixed, stable schedule but less flexibility than factory or delivery work. Pay is typically 1,200–1,500 HUF/hour after tax, and some places include meals during shifts.
Hotel jobs (housekeeping, room prep, hospitality support) are less common but can pay well, especially during the summer tourism season in Budapest, though they require reliable, fixed availability.
Minimum Wage & Taxes
A commonly cited income tax rate is 15% personal income tax, though the exact amount depends on residence status and employment type. Delivery workers who go through an agency may pay an agency fee of around 10% on top of the 15% tax — about 25% total in deductions. Operating independently as a sole entrepreneur with an accountant is another option, usually with a monthly accountant fee instead. Always confirm current rules with a qualified accountant, since regulations change.
Best-Case Monthly Income Example
| Income during academic year | 9 months × 300,000 HUF/month = 2,700,000 HUF |
| Income during summer | 3 months × 400,000 HUF/month = 1,200,000 HUF |
| Total yearly income | 3,900,000 HUF |
| Total living expenses (yearly) | 130,000 × 12 = 1,560,000 HUF |
| Remaining after expenses | 3,900,000 − 1,560,000 = 2,340,000 HUF |
| Estimated tuition | ≈ 2,300,000 HUF |
This is a best-case scenario, not a typical outcome — it assumes near-maximum delivery hours with no setbacks.
My Recommendation
If your family can support your tuition, that's the safer option. Use a part-time job for personal expenses, savings, and building independence instead of trying to cover the full tuition alone. Scholarships such as the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship are also worth exploring.
A degree is your main investment. A part-time job should support your studies, not destroy them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you earn your tuition fees in Hungary with a part time job in Hungary?
It's possible for some students in a best-case scenario, but it is not guaranteed. Whether a part time job in Hungary can cover your tuition depends heavily on your city, job availability, discipline, and how well you can balance work with academic performance.
How much can you earn in Hungary as an international student?
It depends on the type of part time job in Hungary you choose. Factory work typically pays 1,800–2,400 HUF/hour, restaurant jobs around 1,200–1,500 HUF/hour after tax, and food delivery can range from 1,500 to 3,000+ HUF/hour depending on demand and effort.
What is a typical monthly income in Hungary for international student workers?
Disciplined students working a part time job in Hungary such as food delivery may earn around 250,000–300,000 HUF/month during the academic year, and more during summer. This is not guaranteed and varies by city, season, and hours worked.
What is the minimum wage in Hungary for international students?
Hungary sets a national minimum wage that applies broadly to employees, including many part time job in Hungary positions, though student-agency and delivery arrangements can be structured differently. Always confirm current minimum wage figures with your employer or a qualified accountant, as rates are updated periodically.
What is the most flexible part time job for international student in Hungary?
Food delivery through platforms like Wolt and foodora is generally the most flexible part time job in Hungary, since students can choose their own working hours rather than following a fixed shift schedule.
How much tax do international students pay on part time job in Hungary income?
A commonly cited rate is around 15% personal income tax, though the final amount depends on residence status, employment type, and whether income is handled through an agency or as a sole entrepreneur. Always confirm current rules with a qualified accountant.
Which part time job in Hungary options are available outside Budapest?
Factory jobs are available in many Hungarian cities, not just Budapest, making them one of the more accessible part time job in Hungary options for students studying outside the capital.
Helpful Resources
- Scholarship Finder: catchthatscholarship.com/tools/scholarships/
- University Finder: catchthatscholarship.com/tools/university-finder/
- Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Guide: How to Apply for the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship
- Living Cost in Hungary: Living Cost in Hungary for Internationals
- Official Stipendium Hungaricum Website: stipendiumhungaricum.hu
