A Guide to Budapest for Digital Nomads & Remote Workers

Many digital nomads say the best part of this lifestyle is the flexibility to visit new places. With so many unique destinations and cultures to explore, it can be tricky to choose your ideal place. In this article, we’re going to go over what it’s like to live in Budapest for digital nomads.

Whether you’re looking to stay for a couple of weeks or a few months, Hungary’s capital of Budapest is an exciting option. You can use this guide to help you start planning or to simply find some inspiration!

It’s easy to love working remotely in Budapest! This fascinating city boasts beautiful architecture, a deep history, and high quality of living. Many travellers appreciate that Budapest’s vibe is much more laid-back than other big European cities. And, if you like a bit of energy, you can also find a vibrant nightlife scene in Budapest.

Hungary has just launched a new visa for digital nomads, meaning you can now work and live in Budapest for a year or more as long as you meet the requirements.

Let’s take a look at what it’s like to live as a digital nomad in Budapest – places to live and work, visa options, and pros and cons.

Is Budapest good for digital nomads?

Absolutely! In fact, Budapest has become more and more popular for digital nomads. Hungary has even recently introduced a new visa option, specifically for digital nomads. (More on visas in a bit!)

From reliable internet and low cost of living to networking opportunities and exciting activities to enjoy during your free time, there are many reasons Budapest is excellent for digital nomads.

Places for Digital Nomads to Work in Budapest

Not only is WiFi reliable in Budapest, but there are also plenty of great places to get some work done. Whether you’re looking for a trendy cafe or a coworking space that makes it easy to network, there’s something for everyone!

Cafes in Budapest for Remote Workers

Budapest has countless cafes, making it effortless to find your go-to spots to get work done. Here are some of the best options.

Magvető Café: It’s easy to be productive in this quiet, spacious cafe that’s beautifully decorated with bookshelves. Magvető Café is also conveniently located in the heart of the city.
Fabrik Specialty Coffee: Enjoy delicious food and drinks while you get work done at this stylish cafe.
Csendes Létterem (Vintage Bar & Cafe): If you like quirky workspaces, you’ll love this one. Vintage Bar & Cafe is an eclectic, cozy spot to work.

Coworking Spaces in Budapest

There are quite a few coworking spaces in Budapest, which is great for digital nomads who want a designated workspace and possibilities for meeting other people. Let’s take a look at a few top recommendations.

Impact Hub: Centrally located, Impact Hub is an excellent place to join fellow digital nomads. The space is gorgeous, and there are opportunities to join various events.
The Other WorkSpace: If a laid-back workspace with friendly vibes is your style, you’ll appreciate The Other WorkSpace. Enjoy comfortable spaces, snacks and drinks, and affordable rates 24/7.
Loffice: Join a diverse community of digital nomads in a trendy space at Loffice, where you can find many areas to work indoors and outdoors.

Where should I stay in Budapest as a digital nomad?

With 23 unique districts in Budapest, there are many options regarding where to stay. We’ll look at several of the best areas, each of which offers a unique experience.

Fun fact: Budapest used to be two different cities, Buda and Pest. While Budapest is now known as one city, the areas are often referred to separately. The west side is Buda, and the east side is Pest.

Pest is more touristy and offers an energetic vibe and tons of activities. Meanwhile, Buda is calmer and gives off a more residential feel.

While we all have different preferences as travellers, I prefer an atmosphere like Buda when I’m settling down for some time as a digital nomad. It’s also a good idea to stay in Pest for your first few days to explore and find longer-term accommodation.

The Best Areas for Digital Nomads to Live in Budapest

Let’s take a look at a few of the best districts and how they differ!

District 1: a luxurious neighborhood with picturesque sites and upscale attractions.
District 5: the downtown area that’s filled with shops, cafes, and restaurants; attracts the most tourists.
District 6: close to cultural experiences and shopping opportunities.
District 7: a vibrant nightlife and close to downtown.
District 9: an up-and-coming, budget-friendly area.
District 13: a relaxing neighborhood with many young professionals.

How to Find Short and Long-Term Rentals in Budapest

One of the best parts about being a digital nomad in Budapest is how affordable accommodations are. You can find many excellent places to stay while sticking to your budget, and even try digital nomad co-living spaces. Not only that, but there are no shortages of rentals in Budapest.

Airbnb: Many long and short-term rental opportunities, plus discounts for longer stays.
Hostelworld: tons of various hostel options with private and shared rooms; perfect for those on a budget.
Facebook groups: check out Budapest, Hungary Apartment Rentals and Budapest flats and apartments for rent for regular updates on available accommodations.

Budapest Visa Options

Aside from how exciting Budapest is for digital nomads, another attraction is the visa options that make it easy for travellers to work in Budapest.

The Schengen Visa is a 90-day visa that allows people to travel to any place in its designated area of 26 European countries, including Hungary. This is a great option if you’re looking to check out other countries within the Schengen area. Some of these include Portugal, France, Spain, and Germany.

A newer visa option, best for digital nomads going to Budapest, is the one-year White Card. This permits digital nomads to stay longer than the standard tourist visa allows. To apply for this visa, you must be prepared to show documentation that you earn an income.

Pros and Cons of Working Remotely in Budapest

As you consider your next destination as a digital nomad, weighing the pros and cons is always essential. There are tons of advantages to working remotely in Budapest and really only a few disadvantages.

What are the pros of working remotely in Budapest?

There are many amazing reasons digital nomads love Budapest! Here are some of the top ones:

Budapest is one of the most affordable European cities. In fact, it’s pretty easy to find excellent accommodations, restaurants, and attractions on a budget.
Along with affordability and high-quality of living is exceptional healthcare. There are many hospitals and clinics in Budapest, where you can find English-speaking staff and reasonable costs.
Reliable internet is easy to come by – every digital nomad’s dream!
The nightlife scene is always a fun time! From relaxed pubs to energetic nightclubs, there’s something for everyone.
There’s a rich culture to explore. There’s a large Jewish community with a historical Jewish quarter that’s well worth getting to know. There are also many unique sites that show effects from WWII.
Aside from appreciating the culture, there are other excellent activities to enjoy in Budapest. Many digital nomads spend their free time checking out Ruin Bars, underground caves, thermal spas, and lovely landscapes.
Getting around Budapest is pretty straightforward. There’s an easy-to-use public transportation system, and many areas are very walkable.
It’s also easy to travel to neighbouring countries. Since Hungary is in the middle of Europe, it’s a great spot for digital nomads who also want to explore other areas, including Croatia, Austria, and Romania.

What are the cons of working remotely in Budapest?

With benefits, there are usually a few downsides. Luckily, there aren’t many cons to being a digital nomad in Budapest.

Hungarian is known as one of the most challenging languages to learn. With that said, there are many English speakers in Budapest.
Traffic gets relatively heavy, and driving isn’t fun in Budapest. This is why we recommend using the great public transportation system!
Winters can get quite chilly. If you’re looking for warmer weather, definitely visit between May and September.
It can be difficult to make friends with as many locals as you can in other nomad destinations like Southeast Asia. This isn’t at all because they’re unkind, but rather just more reserved. Here are a few great ways to meet new people: Meetup, coworking spaces, hostels, and ruin bars.

We hope you enjoyed this guide to working remotely in Budapest. It’s an exciting destination for digital nomads, with many opportunities for workspaces, living, and exciting activities. Please consider sharing.

Interested in other great places for digital nomads? Check out our guides for working remotely in Kuala Lumpur, Zagreb, and Romania.