Your Stipendium Hungaricum Housing Allowance
As a Stipendium Hungaricum scholar, you receive one of two housing benefits — not both. Either your university places you in a university dormitory at no cost, or — if a dorm place is unavailable — you receive a monthly housing contribution of HUF 40,000 (approximately €100) paid into your bank account alongside your regular stipend.
The HUF 40,000 is helpful but not sufficient on its own to cover private rent in any Hungarian city. It is a contribution, not full coverage. You will need to budget additional money from your monthly stipend (HUF 43,700 for BSc/MSc) or part-time work to cover the gap — especially in Budapest.
✅ SH Total Monthly Support (BSc/MSc)
HUF 43,700 (stipend) + HUF 40,000 (housing contribution) = HUF 83,700 total per month. This is the cash you receive if placed in private accommodation. In cities like Debrecen or Pécs, this is workable. In Budapest, it will cover rent but leave very little for food and transport without supplemental income.
Dormitory — The Best Option (When You Can Get It)
University dormitories are the gold standard for international students in Hungary. They are significantly cheaper than private rentals, already furnished, and located close to campus — which saves transport costs and time.
| City | Dorm Cost / Month | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Debrecen | HUF 40,000–50,000 | Limited spots. GPA matters. First year SH students are usually prioritised. |
| Pécs | HUF 40,000–50,000 | Similar to Debrecen. Limited availability. |
| Budapest | HUF 50,000–80,000 | Very limited. Demand is extremely high. Most scholars end up in private accommodation. |
⚠️ Dormitory Is Not Guaranteed
Dormitory placement depends on your GPA and luck. Even if you receive the SH scholarship, you are not automatically guaranteed a dorm room. Many scholars — especially in popular cities — receive the HUF 40,000 cash allowance instead and must find private accommodation. Always have a backup plan.
To maximise your chances of getting a dorm place, contact your university's international office as early as possible after receiving your Letter of Award. Express your preference for dormitory accommodation in writing. Some universities operate a waiting list.
Private Rent Prices by City (2026)
These are real, first-hand prices from students currently living in Hungary — not estimates from tourism websites.
Debrecen
Debrecen is Hungary's second-largest city and home to the University of Debrecen — one of the most popular SH destinations. It is significantly more affordable than Budapest, which is why many scholars prefer it.
| Type | Monthly Rent | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single private room (in shared flat) | HUF 80,000–120,000 | Most common option for international students. Usually includes utilities. |
| University dormitory | HUF 40,000–50,000 | Limited spots. GPA and luck dependent. |
| Entire studio flat (1 person) | HUF 130,000–180,000 | More privacy, higher cost. Rare for first-year students. |
Pécs
Pécs has a similar cost profile to Debrecen. It is a university city with a significant international student population, particularly around the University of Pécs medical programmes.
| Type | Monthly Rent | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single private room | HUF 80,000–120,000 | On par with Debrecen. Prices can be slightly lower further from the city centre. |
| University dormitory | HUF 40,000–50,000 | Limited availability. Same constraints as Debrecen. |
Budapest
Budapest is Hungary's capital and the most expensive city for accommodation. If you receive the SH scholarship for a Budapest university (ELTE, BME, Corvinus, Óbuda), be prepared for significantly higher living costs. Most international students who can't get a dorm room opt to share accommodation with one or two other people.
| Type | Monthly Rent | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single private room | HUF 120,000–150,000 | Standard for one person. Inner districts (V, VI, VII) are pricier. Outer districts (XIV, XV, XVI) cheaper. |
| Shared room (2 people) | HUF 60,000–80,000 per person | Very common among South Asian students. Significantly reduces costs. |
| University dormitory | HUF 50,000–80,000 | Very limited. Demand is the highest in Budapest. |
| Entire studio flat | HUF 200,000–280,000 | Uncommon for students alone. Shared between 2–3 people it becomes manageable. |
Rental Contracts & Deposits — What You Must Know
Hungarian rental contracts work differently from what many international students expect. Understanding the terms before signing is critical — especially because breaking a contract in Hungary is your problem, not the landlord's.
In Debrecen and Pécs
- Minimum contract length: Usually 1 year. Landlords rarely agree to shorter terms, especially for students.
- Advance deposit: Typically 2 months rent upfront before you move in. This is your security deposit and first month's rent combined.
- Breaking the contract early: If you need to leave before the contract ends — for any reason — you must find a replacement tenant yourself. The landlord will only return your deposit once the new tenant has moved in and paid. If your rent is high, finding a replacement quickly is very difficult.
In Budapest
- Minimum contract length: Usually 6 months minimum, though 1 year is also common.
- Advance deposit: Usually 1 month upfront. Some landlords ask for 2 months.
- Breaking the contract: Same rule applies — you must find your own replacement tenant to get your deposit back.
🚨 Think carefully before signing a long contract
If you sign a 1-year contract and then realise the flat is unsuitable, or you find a better option, or you need to change cities — you are legally bound. Finding a replacement tenant for a HUF 120,000/month room in Debrecen is genuinely hard. Many students have lost their full deposit this way. Do not sign anything until you have seen the room in person.
How to Actually Find a Flat or Room
There are two main channels international students use to find accommodation in Hungary. One is easy to access; one is harder but significantly more valuable.
Facebook Groups
Easily found with a single search. Search terms like "Budapest international students housing", "Debrecen rooms for rent", or "Pécs student accommodation" will surface active groups. Listings are posted frequently but competition is high and some listings are overpriced for foreigners.
WhatsApp Groups Recommended
The best source for cheaper, student-friendly listings. These groups are not publicly listed — you cannot find them through search. You need to ask a current student at your university to add you. Once inside, you'll find deals that never appear publicly online.
Albérlet.hu
Hungary's main property listing website. Good for getting a sense of the market and seeing verified listings with photos. Prices here tend to be the official asking price — you may have more negotiating room if you contact landlords directly. Use this as a reference to understand fair pricing before you join community groups.
How to Get Into WhatsApp Groups
- Once you receive your Letter of Award, find out which university and city you'll be studying in.
- Search Facebook for groups of students from your home country studying at that university (e.g. "Bangladeshi students Debrecen" or "Pakistani students Hungary").
- Post in those groups or message active members directly. Ask a current student to add you to their WhatsApp housing groups.
- Introduce yourself — say you're an incoming SH scholar and you're looking for accommodation. People are generally helpful within these communities.
Scam Warning — Read This Before Sending Any Money
🚨 Never send a deposit without seeing the room first
Scams targeting international students looking for accommodation in Hungary are real and common. The typical scam: a "landlord" posts attractive photos of a room at a suspiciously good price, communicates only online, and asks for a deposit transfer before you arrive. Once you transfer the money, they disappear.
The only safe rule:
- Visit the room yourself before paying any deposit. If you cannot visit because you haven't arrived in Hungary yet, send someone you personally know and trust to inspect the flat in person on your behalf.
- Never transfer money to someone you have only communicated with online, regardless of how professional or legitimate they appear.
- If a deal seems too cheap compared to the market prices listed above — it almost certainly is a scam.
- Legitimate landlords in Hungary understand that international students need to verify the property before paying. Any landlord who pressures you to transfer money without a visit is a red flag.
Sharing Rooms to Reduce Costs
Sharing a room with one or more flatmates is an extremely common and practical strategy among international students in Hungary — particularly in Budapest where individual rooms are expensive. Among South Asian student communities especially, 2–3 people sharing a single room is standard practice and significantly reduces the monthly cost per person.
- In Budapest, splitting a HUF 150,000 room between two people brings your cost down to HUF 75,000 each — very manageable on the SH stipend.
- In Debrecen and Pécs, room sharing is less common since individual rooms are already affordable, but it remains an option if you want to save more.
- The WhatsApp groups mentioned above are the best place to find a compatible flatmate from your community before you arrive.
💡 Connect Before You Arrive
The students who arrange their accommodation before arriving in Hungary have a significantly easier transition. Start reaching out to current students in your destination city as soon as you receive your Letter of Award — ideally 2–3 months before your arrival in September. Good rooms in good locations go quickly.
