Moving to Hungary from the USA

US taxes & Social Security when you live in Hungary

What stays true for US citizens and green-card holders no matter where they move. General information, not tax or legal advice — confirm your situation with a cross-border tax professional. Reviewed July 2026.

• As a US citizen or green-card holder you keep filing a US federal tax return on your worldwide income even while living in Hungary — the US taxes based on citizenship, not where you live (www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/us-citizens-and-resident-aliens-abroad).
• The US–Hungary income tax treaty was terminated and stopped having effect from 2024 (www.irs.gov/businesses/international-businesses/united-states-income-tax-treaties-a-to-z), so US-source dividends, interest and royalties no longer get reduced treaty rates. This is separate from the Social Security agreement below.
• Double taxation is usually avoided with the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (Form 2555, www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/foreign-earned-income-exclusion) and/or the Foreign Tax Credit (Form 1116); which one is better depends on your income and Hungary's tax rates.
• If your foreign bank and financial accounts exceed US$10,000 combined at any point in the year, you must file an FBAR (FinCEN Form 114, www.fincen.gov/report-foreign-bank-and-financial-accounts); larger balances can also trigger FATCA Form 8938 with your return.
• The US and Hungary have a Social Security Totalization Agreement (www.ssa.gov/international/agreements_overview.html), so you generally contribute to only one country's social-security system instead of paying into both, and coverage periods can be combined toward benefits.

Moving to Hungaryfrom the US: the American's checklist

How US citizens apply, whether your license transfers, and the things that catch Americans out. Reviewed July 2026 against official sources; always confirm current requirements before you act.

• The tax treaty is the headline: the US–Hungary income tax treaty was terminated and stopped having effect from Jan 1, 2024, so US-source dividends, interest and royalties lost their reduced treaty rates.
• Despite that, the 2016 Social Security Totalization Agreement is untouched and still in force, so double social-security contributions are still avoided — the two agreements are separate.
• White Card time does not count toward Hungary's clock for permanent residency or citizenship.

Hungary at a glance

Live and regularly refreshed data, each fact with its source.

Getting set up in Hungary: key steps & official resources

The main immigration, tax, healthcare and housing bodies you'll deal with, with the official portals and typical costs. Curated and hand-verified — last reviewed June 2026. Figures are approximate; always confirm the current numbers on the official site.

• Residence permits for non-EU nationals are issued by the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (oif.gov.hu); Hungary offers a 'White Card' residence permit for remote workers and digital nomads.
• You'll get an address card (lakcímkártya) and a tax ID (adóazonosító jel) from NAV (nav.gov.hu); a TAJ card covers public healthcare once you're insured.
• Register your address with the local government office (kormányablak). English is less widely spoken outside Budapest, so official paperwork can need translation.
• Main housing portal: ingatlan.com (ingatlan.com), plus alberlet.hu for rentals. Emergency number is 112.
• Key figures (approximate — verify current values): the White Card requires proof of monthly income around €3,000; residence-permit fees run roughly HUF 18,000–23,000; rental deposits are typically 1–2 months plus the first month upfront.

Moving to Hungary from the US, phase by phase

This is a general outline. Your personalized plan above adapts every step to your US starting point, visa status, and situation. Always verify official requirements: this is not legal or immigration advice.

Frequently asked questions

Moving to another country from the USA