Student guide

Renting in Budapest, Szeged, Debrecen and Pécs: districts, prices, deposit

Most students rent a room in a shared flat, not a whole flat, in Budapest and in the other university cities alike. This chapter covers where, for how much, and what goes in the contract.

What it costs

In Budapest a room in a shared flat is roughly 110,000–170,000 HUF/month and a studio 180,000–260,000; in Szeged, Debrecen and Pécs a room is roughly 65,000–110,000 and a studio 120,000–190,000; plus utilities of about 25,000–45,000 HUF/month (autumn 2026, indicative).

How long it takes

Good rooms go within days in early September; look in August and in January.

Budapest: which district for which university

The Pest campuses of ELTE, Corvinus and Semmelweis are in the inner districts: V, VI, VII, VIII, IX. Districts VIII and IX (Józsefváros, Ferencváros) are the classic student quarter; the Corvin quarter and the streets around Ráday utca are the most popular.

BME and the ELTE Lágymányos campus are in district XI, Újbuda; many students live there and towards district XXII, with metro line 4 and the trams making it easy to get in. Óbuda University is in district III, the University of Physical Education in XII. District XIII (Angyalföld, Újlipótváros) is well priced and fast to anywhere by metro.

Szeged: the centre, Rókus, Újszeged

SZTE's buildings stand in the centre and along the Tisza, within walking distance of each other: the main building on Dugonics tér, the clinics by the river. Students live inside the Nagykörút ring road, in Rókus, in Alsóváros and across the river in Újszeged; the city is flat, and from anywhere inside the ring every faculty is 10–15 minutes by bike.

A room in a shared flat is roughly 70,000–100,000 HUF/month, a studio 120,000–170,000 plus utilities (autumn 2026, indicative). The streets around the clinics and Dóm tér are the most sought after; Rókus and Alsóváros are cheaper.

Debrecen: the Nagyerdő, the centre, Újkert

The University of Debrecen's main building, the clinics and the dormitories are in the Nagyerdő, the forest park north of the centre; the economics and IT faculties are on the Kassai út campus to its east. Students live around the Nagyerdő, in the centre, and in Újkert between the two, from where trams 1 and 2 run to the university.

Debrecen is the dearest of the three cities, with its large international student body: a room is roughly 80,000–110,000 HUF/month, a studio 140,000–190,000 plus utilities (autumn 2026, indicative). The Nagyerdő area is the most sought after; the centre and Újkert are cheaper.

Pécs: the centre, Uránváros, Kertváros

PTE is spread across the city: the medical school and the clinics are on Szigeti út, west of the centre; the humanities and science faculties on Ifjúság útja in the same direction; engineering on Boszorkány út, economics in the centre. Medical students live in the centre and in Uránváros, next to the campuses and cheaper; Kertváros is further out but well served by bus.

A room in a shared flat is roughly 65,000–95,000 HUF/month, a studio 120,000–170,000 plus utilities (autumn 2026, indicative). The city climbs a hill: the Mecsek slopes are pretty and pricey, and a bike is not a good idea everywhere.

What the price includes

The rent ("bérleti díj" or "albérlet") usually does not include utilities: water, gas, electricity, heating, internet and the "közös költség" (the building's maintenance fee) come on top, and are much higher in winter. Ask whether the price is "rezsivel" (with utilities) or "rezsi nélkül" (without), and ask for a bill from last winter.

The deposit ("kaució") is the security: typically one or two months' rent, returned when you move out if there is no damage or debt. Three months is a lot; an "agency fee" (a month's rent to a middleman) is not a thing with a private landlord.

The contract

Always have a written lease, in Hungarian, and with an English translation if you do not read Hungarian. It should state: the parties, the address, the rent, how utilities are settled, the deposit and the terms of its return, the notice period (typically 30–60 days), and whether the landlord will sign the address registration form.

On moving in, take photos and write a condition report listing any defects, signed by both sides. This is what protects your deposit when you move out.

Step by step

1. Pick a city and a neighbourhood by your university, then set the city, a maximum price and, in Budapest, districts on the board; you get an e-mail when a fitting room appears.
2. View in person or by video call before paying anything.
3. Settle the price with utilities, the deposit, the notice period and the address registration.
4. Written contract, photo condition report, a receipt for the deposit.

Common questions

Last checked: 2026. 09. 06. Prices and official rules change; always check the official sites before you act.