Cost of Living

For each month you are living in Budapest, you should consider the below sums of money to cover your expenses in the Academic Year 2017/18.

All costs listed in this document are estimates only and are intended to help students plan their financial resources. Actual expenditures will vary depending on individual spending habits.

CEU estimates that students need to budget an average of 200,000 HUF (approx. 660 EUR / 700 USD) per month to cover accommodation costs, costs of utilities, meals, city transportation, instructional materials, some personal expenses and incidentals.

Student parents should take into consideration additional cost of accommodation, health insurance, childcare, and other related expenses. All this can add up to a substantial amount for each month. (Please contact Viktoria Magocsi, studentlife@ceu.edu, in the Dean of Students Office for further details).

Students who have to cover all costs themselves are strongly advised to have a larger amount at their disposal - approximately 450,000 HUF (1500 EUR / 1600 USD) - at the start of the Academic Year to cover basic expenses, such as health insurance coverage and rental deposits.

Check the PalPrices.com site for useful information on prices in Budapest or compare the prices of Budapest with those of your home city. Find the daily exchange rates here.

1. Accommodation Costs

Housing in CEU Residence Center (costs are per student per night in sgl room) -- Prices are based on Academic Year 2016/2017 and are subject to change.

CEU Degree students

Short-term stay (less than 31 nights)
Long-term stay (over 30 nights)

3,000 HUF/night
2,600 HUF/night

Exchange/Visiting students
under special institutional agreements

Short-term stay (less than 31 nights)
Long-term stay (over 30 nights)

5,500 HUF/night
3,000 HUF/night

Rented Accommodation in Budapest

Shared apartment

Range of 50,000 - 70,000 HUF/month

2. Residence Permit

As part of the requirements, budget also around 100,000 HUF for Accommodation and 65,000 HUF/10 months for Insurance

3. Utilities (electricity, gas, water, common fees)

In shared rented accommodation

Range of 10,000 - 25,000 HUF/month

4. Meals

Student Menu at the CEU cafeterias	Range of 990-1300 HUF/meal (subject to periodic adjustment)
Lunch/Dinner at a local (fast food) restaurant	Range of 990-1,500 HUF/meal
Meals at CEU cafeterias or local restaurant (based on one meal per weekday)	30,000 HUF/month
Estimated cost of food (local shopping in addition to one meal at the CEU cafeterias or local restaurants)	30,000 HUF/month

5. Public Transportation

Monthly travel pass	9,500 HUF/month
Single ticket	350-530 HUF/trip

6. CEU Instructional Materials

Fall and Winter term language courses	Hungarian Beginner: 29,000 HUF/ semester (2x2 hours/week for 10 weeks)
	Other levels of Hungarian: 42,000 HUF/ semester (2x2 hours/week for 10 weeks)
	French, German, Italian and Spanish: 42,000 HUF/ semester (2x2 hours/ week for 10 weeks)
	Chinese courses – 10,000 HUF/ semester (2x2 hours/ week for 10 weeks)
Spring term language courses	Hungarian Beginner: 18,000 HUF/ Spring term (2x2 hours/ week for 6 weeks)
	Other levels of Hungarian: 26,000 HUF/ Spring term (2x2 hours/ week for 6 weeks)
	French, German Italian and Spanish: 26,000 HUF/ semester (2x2 hours/ week for 6 weeks)
	Chinese courses – 6,000 HUF/ semester (2x2 hours/ week for 6 weeks)

7. Personal Incidentals

Personal care products, laundry products, and other

8,000 - 18,000 HUF/month

8. Health Insurance

All enrolled, full-time students at CEU are eligible to receive health insurance free of charge, upon arrival.

For more information about the coverage, please click here.

9. Miscellaneous Expenses

Students must expect to pay such miscellaneous charges as:

Replacement of CEU ID card 10 EUR
Replacement of locker key 1,500 HUF
Transcript Fee per official copy 500 HUF (issued within 3 working days)
Transcript Fee per official copy 1,000 HUF (issued within 1 working day)