Find out why Hungary is one of the best places to retire. 

 

I am about to reveal the advantages of moving and investing in Hungary, a relatively affordable country offering a high quality of life.

You have saved and planned and are looking forward to retirement. Now comes the question: Where should I retire? When the time comes to retire from your working life of the past 50 years or so, will you be ready to live in the same country in which you have always lived? Can you afford your house payments on just your retirement income? The cost of everything continues to increase, and your fixed retirement income may not be enough to keep up with all the changes.

There are still plenty of charming and comfortable options all over the map where your retirement money will stretch quite a bit further than at home. Today I’ll tell you about one of them: Hungary.

As a full member of the European Union, Hungary enjoys a high level of stability that foreigners search for when moving to another country.

East and West Europe is mixed here so perfectly in architecture and arts. The treasures of nature: the spa culture, many thermal spa and wellness facilities.

CLIMATE

A generation ago, the primary concern for retirees seeking a new location was climate. Hungary is a great destination to enjoy a pleasant climate, beautiful landscapes, and Balaton, one of the biggest lakes in Europe.

COST OF LIVING

Today, financial considerations weigh much more heavily. Low cost of living and housing costs are important to most of us.

Cost of living is certainly a positive aspect for those willing to retire in Hungary. The cost of living in the country is relatively low for European standards. Hungary combines low housing costs with a good quality of life. Renting is also an affordable option for retirees who don’t want the responsibility of maintaining a home.  Healthcare and public schooling are available at little or no cost.

Food expenses of imported goods also add up. However, purchasing food from a local market instead will save a substantial part of your income. The Hungarian VAT is one of the highest in the European Union, currently at 27%.

HEALTH CARE SYSTEM 

You may think you want to move away from civilization, but you can easily begin to feel isolated. Most importantly for seniors, a full-service medical facility should be within reasonable driving distance.

The Hungarian health care systems are similar to the Western nations and provide quality medical care at lower costs compared to other European countries. Retirees can find English/German speaking hospital staff at hospitals and medical centers.

MEDICAL TOURISM 

The cost of treatments is much lower, that you can afford to fly to Hungary, undergo treatment, enjoy the sights, the culture and shopping offers in Budapest and still save up to 40-70 % on what you would have to pay in other European countries. The most popular treatments and procedures amongst international patients are dentistry, plastic and orthopedic surgery, cardiac rehabilitation, fertility treatments, dermatology and anti-aging treatments, obesity treatments, addiction programs and eye surgery.

The private clinics have invested heavily in their facilities and treatments to keep the market leader position in Europe and guarantee the highest Western European quality at internationally competitive prices.

DENTAL TOURISM 

Why Is Hungary The Main Destination Country In Dental Tourism? Hungary is Europe’s premier destination for dental tourism, with world renowned dentists, state of the art facilities and highly skilled dentists. ‘Dental tourism’ is a growing phenomenon, with thousands of people travelling to Hungary to take advantage of the relatively low-cost, high-quality dental treatment available. Many patients combine treatment with a holiday. Most people don’t realize that Hungary boasts more dentists per capita than any other country, and some of the best and least expensive clinics are found in rural areas. For example, the small town of Mosonmagyaróvár near the Austrian border is home to more than 160 dental offices! While it’s economical for Europeans to travel to Hungary for a dental checkup or a cleaning, but also for more extensive care, including cosmetic oral surgeries, full-mouth restorations, and implants. Such work can be had at less than half the price, including travel and accommodations.

MEDICINAL WATER

The healing power of nature, Europe’s best kept secret. The healing properties of thermal waters were discovered in ancient Roman times and since then they have been used for therapy, the prevention of certain diseases, and aftercare following injuries or serious illnesses.

The thermal highly mineralized water originates from deep within the earth’s mantle. Elements such as magnesium, calcium, and sulfate, which serve as a remedy for whatever ails you (but specifically poor circulation, arthritis, skin conditions and any illness resulting from a specific mineral deficiency), are effortlessly absorbed through bathers skin directly into the bloodstream feeding the body’s cells.

The medical effects of Hungarian thermal waters are unique in the world. Thermal water or medicinal water can be found in 80% of the country. More than 1000 springs provide medicinal and thermal water to natural and medical spas. The most unusual of the thermal spa resorts in Hungary is Hévíz, the home of the largest biologically active thermal lake in Europe and therapeutic mud. The hot springs that feed into Lake Hévíz are rich in radon and sulphur, and the high water temperature of the lake makes it suitable for bathing all year around.

FOOD AND WINE 

Traditional Hungarian kitchen which is very unique and tasty. You can accompany your nice meal with some fine Hungarian wine. There are many famous wine-growing regions in Hungary which produce many types of wine, so you will definitely find your favorite here.

CRIME 

According to global Peace Index the country rank is 15. It makes Hungary one of the safest country in the world.

Need more information on living in Hungary?

Contact us, we offer an insight and tips about living in Hungary. 

Hungary United Expats Organisation