Budapesti Gazdasági Egyetem

Please inform your international coordinator of your Faculty at your earliest convenience on the exact date, time, flight-number of your arrival to Budapest – so that in case you required a place in the dormitory/rented accommodation we could inform them of your arrival. 

Please take into consideration, that due to the Coronavirus the Government of Hungary introduced entry restrictions on July 15th 2020. Countries are classified into “red”, “yellow” and “green” categories, based on the severity of the COVID situation in each. 

Covid-19 information for passengers is available at https://www.bud.hu/en/covid_19 We will inform you about the special rules – such as possible requirement of PCR tests and / or quarantine. 

After having arrived to Budapest, please go to the International Office to sign the arrival list. Due to the Covid-19 measures in case you have to go to quarantine, this regulation will be modified. 

• Please bring with you 4 passport size photos! 
• We advise you to prepare for a four-season climate - both with light and warm clothes 
• We advise you to bring with you dictionaries (if you have any) of Hungarian and your native tongue and English 
• We advise you to bring with you necessary medicaments - if you use any 
• We advise you to take out insurance for at least September as the administrative procedure of receiving health insurance takes few weeks 
• Please, be informed that you will probably get your first scholarship in the middle of October, so we would advise you to have pocket money for 2 months to cover your expenses. 

The first step of getting a permanent student card is to have a NEK identifier. You visit the Documentations Office (Kormányablak) to get a NEK identifier and have his or her photo taken in order to start the application process.

Necessary documents: passport

The closest offices to your own Faculty: 

• If you are a student of Faculty of Commerce, Hospitality and Tourism you should go to: 1133 Budapest, Visegrádi u. 110-112.

Office hours

Monday 08.00 - 19.30

Tuesday 08.00 - 19.30

Wednesday 08.00 - 20.00

Thursday 08.00 - 20.00

Friday 08.00 - 19.30

Saturday 08.00 - 13.30

Sunday 08.00 - 13.30

• If you are a student of Faculty of Finance and Accountancy you should go to: 1145 Budapest, Pétervárad u. 11- 17.

Office hours

Monday 08.00 - 18.00

Tuesday 08.00 - 16.00

Wednesday 11.00 - 19.00

Thursday 08.00 - 16.00

Friday 08.00 - 14.00

• If you are a student of Faculty of International Management and Business you should go to: 1165, Budapest Baross G.u. 28-30.

 Office hours

Monday 08.00 - 16.00

Tuesday 08.00 - 16.00

Wednesday 11.00 - 19.00

Thursday 08.00 - 16.00

Friday 08.00 - 14.00

You will be given a temporary student card while your permanent student card is ready. The card is valid for 60 days, so pay attention to the expiration date. You can ask for a new one at the Student Information Office. 

When you receive your permanent student card, please have it validated by picking up a sticker at your study program coordinator’s office. The permanent card is NOT valid without a sticker and it must be validated each semester.

When you have your temporary student card, you can buy monthly student public transport pass which costs 3450 HUF.

For more information please visit the website of BKK (public transportation company)!

In Hungary there are three mobile service providers: Telekom, Telenor and Vodafone. Since you are a foreign student, you can only buy pre-paid mobile number which means that every time you do not have enough money on the card you have to go either to the mobile service provider to put some money on the card, go to the news agent’s, fill it through bank automat or online. 

For buying a pre-paid card you need to have the following documents with you: passport containing your visa 

You can find the shops of the mobile service providers almost everywhere, but the best option is if you go to a shopping mall, for example Árkád (Budapest, Örs vezér tere 25/A, 1106) or Westend (Budapest, Váci út 3, 1062). 

Since you are a scholarship holder you need a Hungarian bank account in order for the University to transfer you your scholarship. We would recommend you to go a shopping mall to open a bank account (for example in OTP Bank, UniCredit Bank, etc). The only document that is necessary for opening a bank account is your passport. 

Please send your bank account number to your study program coordinator, who will register it in Neptun. Please note that the scholarship transfer is not possible if your bank account is not registered in Neptun!!!

You must have a valid residence permit allowing you to study in Hungary during the whole  period of your studies. 

National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing - Residence Permit for the Purpose of Study 

Address: 1135 Budapest XIII., Szegedi út 35-37., ground floor (Twin Office Center Irodaház) 

It can be easily accessed by the following buses from Keleti Pályaudvar: 20E, 30, 30A, 32, 230. You have to get off at Szegedi út stop.

Office hours

Monday 08.30 - 13.00

Tuesday 13.00 - 18.00

Wednesday C L O S E D

Thursday 08.30 - 13.00

Friday 08.30 - 12.00

Necessary documents to submit: 

• filled application form 
• letter of admission or study certificate 
• scholarship certificate - passport 
• filled and signed address registration card 
• IMPORTANT: it takes time to get the national insurance card, so if you have a health insurance card for a shorter period please show it or we can give you certificate that your health insurance card is being issued. 

If you live in a dormitory the address registration card should be signed by the Head of the Dormitory and an accommodation certificate should be issued as well.

If you live in a flat then the following documents should be submitted: 

• Contract
• Property sheet

You have to go to the Land Office to ask for a property sheet in case the owner of the flat cannot give you one. If you live in districts I., II., III., VIII., IX., X., XI., XII., XVIII., XIX.,XX., XXI., XXII., XXIII. then you have to go to 1111 Budapest, Budafoki út 59. If you live in the IV., V., VI., VII., XIII., XIV., XV., XVI., XVII. districts, you have to go to the following address 1149 Budapest, Bosnyák tér 5.

Office hours

Monday 07.30 - 14.00

Tuesday 07.30 - 14.00

Wednesday 07.30 - 14.00

Thursday 07.30 - 14.00

Friday 07.30 - 11.00

The price of the property sheet is 6250 HUF.

The address registration card should be signed either by the owner of the flat or the officially authorized person.

Since you are a scholarship holder, you should have a Tax number.

Necessary documents:

• filled form (downloadable from the internet or you can request it from the international office)
• passport
• address card

Please send your Tax ID number to your study program coordinator, who will register it in Neptun. Please note that the scholarship transfer is not possible if your Tax number is not registered in Neptun!!!

Address: NAV Központi Ügyfélszolgálat, 1097 Budapest, Vaskapu utca 33-35. 

Office hours

Monday 08.30 - 18.00

Tuesday 08.30 - 12.00

Wednesday 08.30 - 18.00

Thursday 08.30 - 12.00

Friday 08.30 - 11.30

You are entitled to the following two health insurances free of charge. You are entitled to 

get both. 

1. Hungarian social security card called TAJ card 
2. Supplementary health insurance with English speaking doctors

A) TAJ CARD (HUNGARIAN SOCIAL SECURITY CARD – „HEALTH INSURANCE CARD”) 

You have to apply for the card in your Faculty’s International Office. All you have to do is present the following documents: 

• Letter of Award from Tempus Foundation 
• copy of your passport 
• copy of your residence permit (both sides) 
• copy of your Address card (both sides) 

You have to bring the documents in person as you have to sign a form that allows the SH coordinators to arrange the card for you in the Health Insurance Office. You must have a valid TAJ card in order to get any medical service provided by the Hungarian state. Having only a TAJ number is not enough. 

The TAJ card can be used free of charge at Hungarian hospitals, surgeries and clinics operated by the Hungarian government. 

The TAJ card covers all health-related costs with no limitation. (e.g. surgery, X-ray, plaster bandage, staying in a hospital etc.) Basic dental services (checking, filling, root canal treatment) are free of charge at surgeries and clinics operated by the Hungarian government. 

You get the TAJ card in your Faculty’s International Office once it’s ready. It takes about 6 months to get the TAJ card. The countdown starts on the day when you apply for it. 

The expiry date of the TAJ card equals to the expiry date of the residence. The expiry date is stamped in the right-hand corner at the bottom of the TAJ card, in Hungarian date order (Date format in Hungary). 

B) SUPPLEMENTARY HEALTH INSURANCE WITH ENGLISH SPEAKING DOCTORS 

You will be informed from your coordinator via e-mail in the end of September / beginning of October about the supplemental health insurance. 

The main building of the Faculty is in the heart of Budapest in the 5th District, three minutes walking from the Hungarian Parliament (address: 1054 Budapest, Alkotmány utca 9-11., – utca means street). Some of the contact hours during your studies will be in this building but the majority will be in the other building of the Faculty which is 5 minutes far by walking (Address: 1055 Budapest, Markó utca 29-31). 

In case you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Ms. Dorottya HÁBER International Coordinator (Haber.Dorottya@uni-bge.hu). 

telephone: 00 36 1 374-6225 

The Faculty is at 22-24 Diósy Lajos utca in the 16th district in a peaceful suburban area. The best way to come is by taking the underground (Metro-line 2) up to the terminal at Örs vezér tere. There is a suburban train station by which you can come 5 stations and get off at Imre utca. Then crossing the busy road of Veres Péter utca you’ll have to walk along this street - in the direction you were coming from by the train - until you get to Diósy Lajos utca. Here you turn left into Diósy utca and walk along until you get to the main building of the Faculty on the left hand side. The other possibility is to get on number 45 bus at Örs vezér tere and get off at stop named Diósy Lajos utca.

In case you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Ms. Nóra SZABÓ (International Coordinator) (Szabo.Nora@uni-bge.hu). 

telephone: 00 36 1 469 6600/ extension number: 6723 

The building is in the 14th district a few kilometres from the centre of Budapest. The address is 1149 Budapest, Buzogány street 10-12.

It is easily accessible by public transport as follows:

1. by Metro-line 2 (M2) → Ferenc Puskás metro station 

a. 80A trolleybus 

b. 130 bus until Kaffka Margit bus stop.

2. from Keleti railway station → 80A trolleybus until Kaffka Margit bus stop.

In case you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact our International Coordinators: Ms. Éva GÁL

e-mail: gal.eva@uni-bge.hu

telephone: 00 36 1 469-6600 / extension: 6520

Students can manage study matters online, through the Neptun system (e.g. registering for the semester, registering for subjects and exams); they can trace their performance (electronic- grade book), money matters (e.g. scholarships, student credit), but any other matters, too, can be taken care of with a few clicks, instead of standing in long lines (e.g. applying for a student card or a place in a hall of residence, application for the modification of a tuition fee).

CooSpace is an online learning environment, which has useful functions for students. It makes communication among students and professors easy and fast. The latter is a fast internal messaging service. The personal document storage space makes it possible to store and organize all the source materials of your courses and subjects well organized into folders. 

The system can be started by clicking on CooSpace in Useful links. Your access codes are the same as those you use for all the other digital platforms of the school. 

When you have entered the site, on the main page you can see those sections which have been created by the teachers/professors. It is recommended that you use your own calendar on the right-hand side of the main page so that you can keep track of deadlines.

Students may submit applications regarding several matters. The applications – according to the Education and Examination Regulation (TVSZ, HTJSZ etc.) – are assessed by the competent committees or persons: the Study Committee, the Credit Transfer Committee, the Dean or the Assistant Dean for Education. Applications must be submitted using the Modulo system. (However, if you encounter problems with the system, your applications will be accepted in paper form). 

Modulo is a web based system to support dealing with official matters. Students can easily, without standing in a queue, deal with their official matters by filling in electronic application forms. (Certain rules, of course, must be complied with – e.g. the deadlines of submission should be kept, the required documents should be attached, etc.)

You can use WIFI at each Faculty of the BBS. There is internet connection in the Dormitories as well. You can easily access the “eduroam” network by using the login: your Neptun Code@uni-bge.hu and your password.

You will need at least 80,000 Hungarian forints (approx. 255 Euros) per month to cover the costs of accommodation including utilities, pay for local transport, and even go out occasionally. This amount should cover the costs of utilities, shopping for everyday items and local transport. The final amount will depend on whether you rent a room, a flat, or whether you are accommodated in a dormitory. There are regional differences in this amount: life in Budapest is more expensive than in other Hungarian cities. 

Living costs (food, transport, miscellaneous): about EUR 250 – 400 per month.

Average prices: 

• rent of a small flat in Budapest (per month): from 120 000-180 000 HUF (370 EUR-550EUR) + utilities (200-230 EUR) 
• rent of a room in Budapest (per month): from 80.000-100.000 HUF (220-305 EUR) + utilities 
• 1 loaf of bread: 250 HUF (0,8 EUR;) 
• 1 bottle of beer: 250 HUF (0,8 EUR; ) 
• 1 bottle of wine: from 1.000 HUF (3.5 EUR; ) 
• 1 liter of milk: 220 HUF (0,6 EUR) 
• eating out: 1.500-2.500 HUF (5-8 EUR) 
• daily menu: 890-1.500 HUF (3-5 EUR) 
• cinema ticket: 1.410-1.850 HUF (4-6 EUR); Digital 3D 1.820-2.250 HUF (6-7 EUR). 
• accommodation: about EUR 250 – 550 per month per person, depending on the size and location of the flat as well as on the number of students sharing it. 
• academic related expenses (books, photocopying, etc.): about EUR 50 – 100 per semester. 

Budapest has an efficient network of public transport, including bus, trolley bus, tram, metro services plus suburban railway lines called HÉV lines and boat services. Tickets are available at metro stations or street kiosks. Passengers can use the same type of ticket for all forms of public transport but they need to validate a new ticket when making transfers. Bus drivers on specific routes do sell tickets but passengers need to prepare exact amounts as no change will be given back. If one regularly uses public transport, it is economically more viable to buy a monthly pass. 

Please note that you will get a Student Card which will enable you to get student discount of monthly Budapest pass. (3.450,- HUF)

One single ticket is valid for one uninterrupted journey of up to 60 minutes, whereas a pass is good for unlimited travel in Budapest. 

Tickets and passes can be purchased at major Metro stations, such as Deák Ferenc tér. 

Tickets can be validated by means of meters on board of buses and trams or at entrances of metro stations. The validated tickets should be kept till the end of the trip and handed over to the controller on request. It is cheaper to buy a 10-piece discount coupon book ("gyűjtőjegy": 3.000, - HUF) than buying the single tickets separately.

Important: You must have a ticket or a valid pass before boarding the vehicles. The tickets should be validated by the punchers before starting your trip on the Metro lines, or right after embarking other means of transport. BKV officials are authorized to check the validity of your ticket or pass any time during or after your trip. Passengers without valid ticket or pass are to pay a heavy fine - 16.000,- HUF (approx. 55 euros) on the spot. If it happens to you that you leave at home your monthly ticket, you have to present your pass and cash or bankcard payment at any of the BKK customer service points strictly within 2 working days. 

In case you are in possession of a pass and a related ID (student ID, personal photo ID) that was valid at the time of control having been purchased before but was not presented, you can take care of penalty fare payment within 2 workdays from the issuance of the penalty fare at any of the BKK customer service points by presenting the pass or travel document and paying the appropriate fee. The fee is 2,000 then. This option is available up to twice in each calendar year.

The option of presenting their pass is available to the customer only if you have no current debt due to a previous violation. A pass purchased after the issuance of a penalty fare is not accepted for presentation.

If your friends or relatives may visit you, they can choose from the following options while traveling on Budapest public transport: 

• a single ticket: 350,- HUF 
• a Budapest 24-hour travel card (1.650,-HUF) 
• a 7-day travel card (4.950,- HUF) 
• a monthly Budapest pass (9.500,- HUF). The monthly pass allows you to travel day and night on any vehicles run by BKK (Budapest Transport Limited).

Be aware of pickpockets on crowded lines of public transport such as metro lines, tram number 4-6!!!

Buses, trolley buses, tram

Budapest has more than 200 bus routes covering most inner city and suburban areas. Some routes offer an express service, indicated with an E following the bus number. Express and regular services cover the same routes but express services have a reduced number of stops. On the main routes, service are available even during the night hours. 

Night buses are operating during night too in Budapest.

Metro

Budapest metro has four lines, three of which (M1, M2 and M3) intersect at Deák tér: 

M1: the Yellow Line between Vörösmarty tér and Mexikói út. 

M2: the Red Line between Déli pályaudvar and Örs vezér tere, 

M3: the Blue Line between Újpest Központ and Kőbánya-Kispest, 

M4: the Green Line between Kelenföld vasútállomás and Keleti pályaudvar. 

Each metro station is marked with a letter M enclosed in a circle. Although navigating in the Budapest metro poses no difficulty for tourists, metro maps are available at any of the station entries. Metro services run from 4:30 until 23:30.

HÉV

The suburban train service of Budapest called HÉV connects Budapest with its suburban areas. 

HÉV lines are also numbered: H5, H6, H7, H8 and H9. A popular journey for tourists is from Batthyány tér to Szentendre by the line H5. If you leave the administrative border of Budapest, you need to purchase an additional ticket to your destination.

Taxi

When taking a taxi, tourists should avoid hailing unmarked taxi cabs. Even if they have a taxi sign on the roof and are seen standing at taxi ranks, do not get in the car unless they have a company name on the outside of the car. You can always hail a taxi in the streets but it is cheaper to book one over the phone. From September 2013 every taxi in Budapest is uniformly yellow and the price is unique. 

Food shops are open Monday–Sunday. 

Most stores are open from Monday till Friday between 10:00–18:00 or 20:00 and on Saturday and Sunday between 10:00–17:00. Shopping centres have longer opening hours, from Monday till Sunday between 10.00–19.00. Stores of the following chains can be found in most cities in Hungary: Tesco, Spar, Lidl, Aldi.

Forint (HUF) has been the local currency in Hungary. Banknotes come in denominations of 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000 and 20,000. Six different coins are in use: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 forint coins. (It is important to be aware when you pay in cash, the bill will be rounded up or down so that the last digit will always be five or zero.) Credit cards are accepted at many places. 

• Phones 

Hungary’s country code is 36. To make a long distance call within Hungary, you have to dial 06 followed by the area code, then the actual number. ‘Green numbers’ starting with 06 80 are free of charge. 

If you plan to live in Hungary for a while, look out for discounts by using phone cards. In Hungary there are three service providers: Telekom, Telenor and Vodafone, whose networks can be accessed all over the country. They all offer prepaid cards, which you can buy at newsstands, post offices and petrol stations. 

• Hungarian mobile number 

In Hungary there are three mobile service providers: Telekom, Telenor and Vodafone. Since you are a foreign student, you can only buy pre-paid mobile number which means that every time you do not have enough money on the card you have to go either to the mobile service provider to put some money on the card, go to the news agent’s, fill it through bank automat or online. 

For buying a pre-paid card you need to have the following documents with you: 

- passport containing your visa 

You can find the shops of the mobile service providers almost everywhere, but the best option is if you go to a shopping mall, for example Árkád (Budapest, Örs vezér tere 25/A, 1106) or Westend (Budapest, Váci út 3, 1062). 

• Postal services 

There are numerous post offices throughout the country. Opening hours vary, depending on office locations. Mail boxes are red and bear the word: ‘Posta’. Besides mailing your letters at a post office, this is also a place where you can pay your bills, transfer money, send faxes, buy phone cards.

If you want to enjoy Hungarian culture, rich cultural life awaits for you in every town, especially in the capital.

• Cinema 

Besides Hollywood movies, Hungary offers a wide selection of art films from all over the world. You can choose from various films, dubbed or subtitled, depending on your knowledge of foreign languages. 

• Theatre 

There is a very rich and active theatre life throughout the country. The season starts in September and ends in May. To be on the safe side, you should book your tickets well in advance for the play of your choice. There are several performances in English language. 

• Museums and Art Galleries 

The best places to learn about Hungarian culture, art and history are exhibitions. Museums are open from 10 am to 6 pm, and are usually closed on Mondays. If you use your student ID, you will be entitled to a discount from the ticket price. 

General emergency number: 112 

Police: 107 

Ambulance: 104 

Fire service: 105 

To call the numbers above is free of charge.

24-hour English-language crime hotline: +36 1 438 8080 

English language telephone directory service: 191 

International operator: 199