Introduction
Are you planning to study in Hungary in 2025 and worried about finding a student job quickly? This guide is for you! Here are the 6 must-do steps every international student should follow right after arriving in Hungary — especially if you’re on a tight budget or looking to start working immediately.
If you’re an international student arriving in Hungary on a tight budget, the first few weeks can feel overwhelming. You need to stretch your money, settle in quickly, and ideally, find part-time work as soon as possible. I’ve been in your shoes — and I want to share what really worked for me.
When I first landed in Hungary, I was lucky to meet a fellow student who had already been living there while studying for his master’s degree. On my very first day, he welcomed me and gave me some priceless advice that helped me survive the early days without financial stress. Thanks to his guidance, I didn’t struggle much, even though my budget was very limited.
In this blog, I’ll pass that same advice on to you — practical, step-by-step actions that can help you reduce unnecessary expenses and land a job early. These are things that saved me money, made my life easier, and can do the same for you.
If you’re a Stipendium Hungaricum scholar, you probably know that the first scholarship payment can be delayed until late October or early November — so every tip here is designed to help you bridge that gap.
Let’s dive in — here’s exactly what you should do right after you arrive in Hungary!
1. Get a SIM Card
The very first thing every student should do immediately after arriving in Hungary is buying a SIM card. Let me tell you why this is so important, especially if you are on a tight budget. You will need your data right away to move around the city, whether on foot, by bike, or using public transportation.
Without data, it’s easy to get lost because Hungarian cities can be quite complex — the buildings often look alike, and it’s common to lose track of where you live, especially if you’re coming from a smaller city or a less developed area.
I remember how easy it was to confuse my building with another one nearby. One day, I even walked into the wrong building by mistake! Thanks to Google Maps and the help of some kind Hungarians, I was able to find my way back. Having mobile data from the very start makes it much easier to locate your accommodation, avoid confusion, and move around the city with confidence.
There’s another reason you need a SIM card right away. To open a bank account in Hungary, you must have a phone number. Without a local SIM card, you won’t be able to complete the process. And without a bank account, you can’t receive your scholarship payment or salary if you start working.
That’s why my friend, who welcomed me on my first day in Hungary, advised me to get a SIM card immediately, and I followed that advice — it made everything else so much easier. Even when you start looking for part-time jobs, you’ll see that having a phone number is essential. Employers will need to reach you, and many applications ask for a local contact number.
When it comes to choosing a provider, there are several options in Hungary, including Yettel (formerly Telenor), Vodafone which is currently known as One, and Magyar Telekom. Most students I know use Vodafone or Yettel. Personally, I went with Yettel because it was the first provider I found, and it worked well for me from the start. The key is not to delay — buying a SIM card as soon as you arrive will save you stress, time, and money in your first days.
When you arrive in Hungary, you don’t need to worry about having lots of extra documents to buy a SIM card. The only thing you’ll need is your passport with your visa or residency permit. That’s it. As soon as you land, you can go ahead and get your SIM card right away. You can buy it from supermarkets, small kiosks, or directly from the telecom providers.
It’s easy to find them — even at the airport, or if you take bus 200E towards the city, you’ll come across places where you can get one. My advice is: don’t delay. Get your SIM card immediately, even as you’re traveling into the city. It will make everything smoother from day one.
In Hungary, there are two types of SIM card plans: prepaid and postpaid. With prepaid, you pay in advance before you use services like calls, texts, or data. You simply top up your balance, and you’re good to go. Postpaid is different — you use the service first, and at the end of the month, you pay for what you’ve used.
While both have their advantages, I strongly recommend prepaid for students, especially if you’re on a budget. With prepaid, you control your spending — no surprises, no risk of forgetting to pay a bill and facing penalties. Postpaid can work if you’re sure you’ll manage the payments on time every month, but prepaid is safer and more flexible when you’re settling into a new country.
So, make buying your SIM card the first step after you land. It’s a simple action that will save you a lot of stress and help you navigate your new city with confidence.
2. Register at the International Office
The next thing you should do right after getting your SIM card is to head directly to your university’s International Office and complete your in-person registration. This is a crucial step — don’t delay it.
While you might have done some parts of the registration process online before arriving, your student status won’t be fully active until you register in person. And without active student status, many important things won’t be possible.
Let me explain why this is so important. First, once you register, you’ll get your temporary student ID. This is essential because you’ll use it for things like accessing discounts on public transportation, getting student deals in shops, or even proving you’re eligible for certain services.
Second, in-person registration gives you your active student status — the official confirmation that you’re now a student in Hungary. This document isn’t just a formality. It’s what allows you to apply for jobs, access student health services, and handle many other practical matters.
So, don’t wait around. As soon as you can, go to the International Office of your university and complete your registration. It’s a simple but powerful step that opens the door to everything that comes next in your student life here.
3. Obtain Your Active Student Status
Once you’ve completed your registration at the university, the next thing you must secure is your active student status. But what exactly is this? Active student status is an official document that proves you are enrolled at a Hungarian institution. It’s the paper that clearly states you are a student in Hungary — and trust me, it’s one of the most important documents you’ll need from day one.
Why is it so crucial? Without active student status, you can’t open a bank account in Hungary. Banks require this document to verify that you are truly a student before they allow you to open an account. On top of that, if you want to apply for a student job — whether through a student job agency or directly — they will always ask for proof of your active student status. Without it, your chances of getting employed are almost zero.
The good news is that you don’t have to wait long. Right after you finish your registration, you can collect your active student status document either from the registrar’s office or the International Office where you completed the process. Make sure you get it as soon as possible — it will save you time and open doors to essential services you’ll need during your stay.
4. Get Your Temporary Student ID and Residency Permit
Once you’ve completed your registration and received your active student status, the next step is to get your temporary student ID and residency permit card. These are two essential documents that will make your life much easier in Hungary.
Let’s start with the temporary student ID. After you register at your university, the registrar’s office (or International Office, depending on your school) will issue this ID. This card is important because it allows you to enjoy student benefits while you wait for your permanent student ID to be processed. With your temporary student ID, you can open a bank account, apply for student jobs, and access various discounts.
One of the biggest advantages of having a student ID is the public transport discount. Without a student card, a monthly pass costs around 18,900 HUF (Hungarian Forint). But with a student ID, you can get the same monthly pass for as low as 1,890 HUF — that’s a huge saving, especially for budget-conscious students!
Next is the residency permit card. Although you arrive in Hungary with a visa, to live, work, and move freely within the country, you must have a residency permit. Some universities, like my university ,the University of Debrecen, help students collect their residency permit right after registration.
But if your university doesn’t handle this for you, it’s your responsibility to collect it as soon as possible. This card proves that you have the legal right to stay in Hungary — and it will be checked when needed, so don’t delay getting it.
5. Get your tax card
If you want to work legally in Hungary as an international student, one of the most important things you need is a tax card. Without it, no employer or student job agency will hire you — it’s required by law. As a student, you’re expected to pay a 15% tax on your earnings, and the tax card is what allows this to be properly recorded.
Now, if you don’t plan to work during your studies, you don’t need to worry about getting a tax card. But if you’re like most students who want to take a student job to support yourself, it’s essential to get this done as soon as possible.
Getting your tax card is simple. Just visit the nearest tax office. If you already have your SIM card, you can easily find the location using Google Maps. Or, you can ask the International Office at your university or another student to guide you. Once you’re at the tax office, they’ll process your request and issue your tax card — and you’ll be ready to work legally in Hungary.
6. Apply for student jobs immediately
If you’re arriving in Hungary on a tight budget, one of the smartest things you can do is start applying for student jobs right away. There are many types of student jobs available, and several agencies that work specifically with international students to help them find work.
Why act fast? From my own experience, I can tell you that timing matters. During the summer, many students stay behind to work, but by the end of September, those who have been working often return home to visit family. This creates a short window — especially in early September — where job opportunities open up before new students fill the spots.
If you delay applying, you’ll be competing with many other newly arrived students, and it could become difficult to find a good position. So, don’t wait. As soon as you have your essential documents — like your tax card and student ID — start reaching out to student job agencies and apply. It can make a huge difference in easing your financial situation early on.
Conclusion
In summary ,by focusing on essentials like buying a SIM card, registering with your university, obtaining your student status and residency permit, getting your tax card, and applying for a job early, you can save money, reduce stress, and secure a student job quickly. These steps will help you settle in smoothly and make the most of your time in Hungary, allowing you to focus on your studies and future opportunities.
If you’re looking for more ways to save money and settle in Hungary as an international student, don’t miss my earlier article: Top 6 Things International Students Should Do — Especially on a Tight Budget
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