Foreign Students In Budapest

By Athos Mikonya

So you are interested, planning to study or even currently studying in Budapest. The possibilities to study in the city are vast with all major programs like Erasmus, Socrates and so on, available at almost all state universities and also on various private colleges and universities. Budapest is a very developed city but has its strange characteristics though. For foreigners its easy to live and have fun in Budapest nevertheless some quick tips will make things easier for you.

Wi-Fi

Regarding Wi-Fi availabilities, Budapest is developing fast. Every coffee shop that respects it self has Wi-Fi connection and also network it's available in most of the restaurants downtown. In Universities it's available mainly through a secure connection. So you have to register in the corresponding office to be able to use it.

Visas and Permits

For EU nationals

Needed for residence permit:

• Passport
• Medical insurance proof from your county
• 2 passport-size photographs
• Acceptance Letter from the university/college in English and in Hungarian
• 1500ft post stamps ("illetékbélzegben" you may ask it in any post office)
• A filled form for the application which you may ask from your university or college or from the immigration offices
• Completed housing address registration form signed by your host - you can get the form in your university or college office. (The host of those staying in the dormitory is the director of the dormitory) • If you are renting a flat: contract - in Hungarian, signed by the owner of the flat (with ID card number included), signed by you (with passport number) and two Hungarian witnesses (with address and ID card number)
• The document proving the proprietorship of the flat ("tulajdoni lap") - you have to obtain this from the owner of the flat (when registering your place of residence you will need to show the original document and they will make a copy of it).
• A foreign currency account statement (if you do not have a foreign currency account, you have to open one or if you are using a VISA bank card or any other make a photocopy of 1-2 of your transaction receipts(shopping or using ATM machines).

Non EU nationals

Needed for Visa

• Completed application form for a residence permit stamped by your university or college Completed housing address registration form signed by your host - you can get the form your university or college office. (The host of those staying in the dormitory is the director of the dormitory) If you are renting a flat: contract - in Hungarian, signed by the owner of the flat (with ID card number included), signed by you (with passport number) and two Hungarian witnesses (with address and ID card number) the document proving the proprietorship of the flat ("tulajdoni lap") - you have to obtain this from the owner of the flat (when registering your place of residence you will need to show the original document and they will make a copy of it).
• A foreign currency account statement (if you do not have a foreign currency account, you have to open one. Or if you are using a VISA bank card or any other make a photocopy of 1-2 of your transaction receipts.
• Your valid passport
• D-5 student visa and a copy
• Two passport-size photos 6. Duty stamp ( "illetékbélyeg") worth HUF 5,000 (you can buy it at the post office)
• Certificate from your university in Hungarian that you study there
• Entry form ("Beutazólap")
• Medical certificate: you have to go to ÁNTSZ - Állami Népegészségügyi és Tisztiorvosi Szolgálat, address: 13th district, Váci út 174. Gate 1. Phone: 465-3879. To get there; take the blue (M3) metro line to Gyöngyösi utca. Office hours: weekdays, 8 - 11 a.m. Approximate cost: 12,000 HUF for medical consultation and 4,700 HUF registration fee - this latter can be bought on the spot. Lung x-ray - you can get this done in the district where you live. Cost: 3-5,000 HUF Proof of medical insurance If you have an official state medical certificate from your own country (a certificate from your GP is not acceptable) you do not need to undergo the Hungarian medical certificate procedure. You will, however, have to take the medical certificate issued abroad to the ÁNTSZ for approval. The medical certificate is valid for three months from its issuance.

Immigration Offices

11th district, Budafoki ut 60. Phone: 463-9100 or 463-9233

Useful numbers

• Airport Minibus Service (296-8555)
• Ferihegy - general (flight information) number: 296-7155
• Airport Ferihegy Terminal 2A - information about arrivals: 296-8000 departures: 296-7000
• Airport Ferihegy Terminal 2B - information about arrivals: 296-5052 departures: 296-5883
• International Bus Info - to Western countries: 485-2162
• International Bus Info - to Eastern countries: 252-1896
• International Bus Ticket Office: 252-1896 (Mon-Fri 6am to 6pm)
• Railway Station (MAV) info (24 hours) 461-5400
• Railway Station (MAV) international 461-5500
• MAV ticket ( Andrassy ut 73-75.): 322-8082
• Car assistance nation-wide: 06-1 355 0379
• Hungarian Auto Club in Budapest: 345-1800 Help-line: 188

Taxi

Try to avoid hailing a taxi on the street and avoid at all cost unmarked taxis. Ordering a taxi by phone is cheaper than hailing one on the street. The following taxi companies, with logos well marked on the side of the car, are reliable and reasonably priced.

• Volán Taxi 466-6666
• Taxi 2000 - 2000000
• City Taxi - 2111111
• Fotaxi - 2222222
• Est. Taxi - 2444444
• Buda Taxi - 2333333
• 6 x 6 Taxi - 2666666
• Tele 5 - 3555555
• Radio Taxi - 3777777

Medical Issues

Having a medical insurance for the duration of their enrollment and residence is obligatory. Universities usually provide access to a Health Insurance Plan through Companies like Generali Providencia Insurance Company or other. Students have the option to purchase the Plan that is offered or an individual plan from another provider. EU NATIONALS are entitled to the same health care services as Hungarian nationals but they have to prove health insurance with a form provided to them at their countries. Some of the insurance companies offering medical and health insurance for foreigners are given below (for detailed information on costs and coverage, please contact the insurance companies directly):

• AHICO (First American Hungarian Insurance Company) 1092 Budapest, Ráday u. 51. ( Bakáts Center ) tel.: +36 1 215-8124 fax: +36 1 215-8154
• Generali-Providencia 1066 Budapest, Teréz krt. 42-44. tel.: +36 1 301-7300 fax: +36 1 301-7301
• GROUPAMA 1114 Budapest, Hamzsabégi út 37. tel: +36 1 279-4000 fax: +36 1 361-0091
• Department of Voluntary Health Insurance Országos Egészségbiztosítási Pénztár Önkéntes Egészségbiztosítási Osztály Budapest, 13th district, Teve u. 1/a-c. Open: Tuesday and Thursday: 8 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. Phone: 288-5100, ext. 5335.

The above are for the visa issues but if you have a problem and want to visit a doctor try going to the hospital with a Hungarian national or with a friend that speaks Hungarian because if there is a problem with your papers maybe the doctor will "pretend blind" and write the prescriptions on the Hungarian national also saving time and paperwork. In any other case if you wish to go to a private clinic here are some English speaking ones:

• American Clinic Address: 1st district, Hattyú u. 14, 5th floor; phone: 224-9090 Mon-Thurs 8.30 am - 7 pm, Fri 8.30 am - 6 pm, Sat 8.30 am - noon (They are in contact with more than 20 insurance companies.)
• Evening and weekend emergency service 3 rd district, Vihar u. 29. (M2 to Batthyány tér, bus 86 to Flórián tér.) Phone: 388-8501; open: 8 am - 8 pm.
• International Medical Services (IMS) 13th district, Váci út 204, blue underground line to Gyöngyösi utca. Phone: 329 8423; open: Mon-Fri 7.30 am - 8 pm.

Budapest Ferihegy International

Airport The airport is located 10 miles (16 km) southeast of the centre of Budapest, accessible by the major transport artery of Üllői út. Regular international flights at Ferihegy 2 Airport start from Terminal 2A or Terminal 2B.These two terminals very close to each other. Terminal 2A usually serves the national company (MALÉV), and Terminal 2B serves most other flight operators while Terminal 1 serves all low-cost airlines. Ferihegy airport has three main terminals (1, 2A, 2B) and a small one for general aviation (GAT) flights. A new large air cargo base is about to be built. Transfer between terminals 2A and 2B is convenient enough to be completed on foot. However the older Terminal 1 is farther away and must be reached via bus.

Terminal 1: the newly opened Terminal 1 serves all low-cost airlines. The terminal was recently renovated and opened up to the public in September 2005.

Terminal 2A: Terminal 2A was originally built exclusively for MALÉV Hungarian Airlines, but it now serves not only MALÉV, but its code-share airline partners as well. This modern, well-designed terminal replaced the original terminal in 1985.

Terminal 2B: although connected to Terminal 2A, it is referred to as a separate terminal, opened in 1997. It serves all of the other international flights and airlines not served by Terminal 2A.

How to get there:

By minibus similarly to all airports, Budapest Airport also operates a ‘shuttle service' called as ‘Airport Minibus'. Passengers are taken to the previously requested address by microbuses with eight to eleven seats. The drivers know Budapest and its traffic, including the simplest and fastest routes, very well. Who uses the Minibus can get into direct contact with the Airport and might obtain information about the required flights already during of the journey.

By metro and bus Budapest Airport is relatively well accessible also by Public Transportation Means. Passengers are taken by a direct bus service from Terminals 1 and 2, called the Bus 200 to Köbánya-Kispest metro terminal. The new service from BKV adjusts much better to the passenger traffic at the airport: it is larger so bigger luggage can be transported; it operates more frequently; and it operates for longer hours providing a link between the city and the airport even after midnight and at early dawn. Bus 93 operates from Terminal 1 to Kőbánya-Kispest Metro Station. By the 'blue' (3) Metro you can reach Deák Ferenc Square in the City in 20 minutes. Public Transportation Means can be used for a fare: the one-way through-ticket costs around HUF 185.

By taxi Taxis queue up at the arrival level of Ferihegy Airport 2A and 2B Terminals but the cars of the taxi company preferred by the passenger would arrive at the Terminal in 5 minutes. Taxi fares include VAT but exclude tip. Most taxi services apply 'transfer fares' which is a lump-sum fare used for taking passengers to a Budapest include VAT but exclude tip. Most taxi services apply 'transfer fares' which is a lump-sum fare used for taking passengers to a Budapest destination. For taxi numbers see Telephones section.

By car The Airport is well accessible by car from any point of Budapest. Ferihegy can be reached in 20 minutes from the City by the „Ferihegy High-Speed Road". By that high-speed road, separated by string barrier from public traffic, the Airport can be accessed practically unhindered and any obstacle might be expected under extraordinary circumstances only.

Cinemas

While Budapest has over 30 cinemas, only a very small percentage of films shown are Hungarian but be careful because Hungarians usually dub foreign films. Nevertheless you may find films in English. Check the Budapest Sun website or the various informative magazines available for free in the city.

For more tips like these and help don't forget to visit http://www.studentshungary.com

Quick tips like these are important for students in a foreign city that in addition do not speak the language. For more of these tips plus help from other students, housing help and more visit International Student Network - Hungary and http://www.studentsHungary.com

International student network in Hungary is a Network where all international students can meet, share views and experiences; find apartments to rent and housing opportunities and have fun together. Our Network brings together students from Corvinus, CEU, BBS, Semmelweis, IBS, BME, ELTE, Erasmus exchange programs and all foreign students living in Budapest and other cities of Hungary.

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