Home » Hungary » Hungary – Banking

Hungary – Banking

Hungary is a country in Central Europe with a well-developed banking system. There are many local and international banks operating in Hungary, offering a range of products and services to both residents and non-residents. In this article, we will discuss the main local banks in Hungary, whether major UK and USA banks have a presence in Hungary, accounts and services specifically aimed at expats, typical bank opening hours, any specific areas of concern, and how to open a bank account in Hungary.

Local banks in Hungary

There are many local banks in Hungary, with the three largest banks being OTP Bank, UniCredit Bank, and K&H Bank.

  • OTP Bank: OTP Bank is the largest bank in Hungary, offering retail, corporate, and investment banking services. OTP Bank has more than 1,500 branches in Hungary and also operates in several other countries in the region. Contact details: Website: otpbank.hu | Phone: +36-1-366-6666 | Email: otpdirekt@otpbank.hu

  • UniCredit Bank: UniCredit Bank is the second-largest bank in Hungary, offering a range of banking services to both individuals and businesses. UniCredit Bank has more than 200 branches in Hungary and is also present in several other countries in the region. Contact details: Website: unicreditbank.hu | Phone: +36-1-20-10-100 | Email: ucbdirect@unicreditgroup.hu

  • K&H Bank: K&H Bank is the third-largest bank in Hungary, offering a range of banking and financial services to both individuals and businesses. K&H Bank has more than 400 branches in Hungary and also operates in several other countries in the region. Contact details: Website: kh.hu | Phone: +36-1-483-1111 | Email: khdir@kh.hu

International banks in Hungary

There are several major UK and USA banks that have a presence in Hungary, including Citibank, HSBC, and Barclays. However, their presence is limited compared to the local banks in Hungary.

  • Citibank: Citibank has a presence in Hungary, offering a range of banking and financial services to both individuals and businesses. Contact details: Website: citibank.hu | Phone: +36-1-374-7400 | Email: hungary.customer.service@citi.com

  • HSBC: HSBC has a limited presence in Hungary, offering a range of banking and financial services to both individuals and businesses. Contact details: Website: hsbc.hu | Phone: +36-1-268-8800 | Email: info@hsbc.hu

  • Barclays: Barclays has a limited presence in Hungary, offering a range of banking and financial services to both individuals and businesses. Contact details: Website: barclays.hu | Phone: +36-1-235-6000 | Email: info@barclays.hu

Accounts and services for expats

Most banks in Hungary offer accounts and services specifically aimed at expats. These services can include multilingual support, assistance with setting up a new account, and specialized products designed to meet the needs of non-residents. Some banks may also offer expat-specific savings and investment products.

Specific Areas of Concern in Hungary

One area of concern for expats in Hungary is the prevalence of hidden fees and charges. It’s important to carefully review the terms and conditions of any bank account or service you are considering, and to ask questions about any fees that may apply. Additionally, while Hungary is a member of the European Union, it does not use the euro as its currency. Instead, the Hungarian currency is the forint (HUF), so expats may need to be aware of exchange rates and potential currency conversion fees.

Opening a Bank Account

Opening a bank account in Hungary is generally a straightforward process. Follow these steps:


Get Our Best Articles Every Month!

Get our free moving abroad email course AND our top stories in your inbox every month


Unsubscribe any time. We respect your privacy - read our privacy policy.


  1. Research different banks and compare their account offerings to determine which one best meets your needs.

  2. Once you’ve chosen a bank, visit a branch location in person to begin the account opening process. Some banks may also allow you to open an account online.

  3. To open a bank account, you will typically need to provide the following documents:

  • Valid passport
  • Proof of address (e.g. utility bill, rental agreement)
  • Hungarian tax identification number (you can obtain this from the Hungarian Tax and Customs Authority)

  1. Depending on the bank, you may also need to make an initial deposit to open the account.

  2. Once your account is open, you will typically receive a debit card and instructions for accessing online banking services.

Overall, opening a bank account in Hungary is generally a simple process as long as you have the necessary documentation and a basic understanding of the local banking system.


Latest Videos

Expat Focus

848 subscribers

Move abroad easily with Expat Focus.

Expat Focus
Writer and Editor Kirsten Raccuia is known for her Sand in My Curls blog, which until recently, was all about her expat life in Malaysia. We last spoke at the height of the global pandemic, when she and her husband were closing in on a decade in Penang. Fast-forward a couple of years, and they’re in a new country, Mexico. I’m chatting with Kirsten again to find out what factors influenced their decision to move, and why Mexico? And what it was like to close the Malaysia chapter of their life abroad.

Writer and Editor Kirsten Raccuia is known for her Sand in My Curls blog, which until recently, was all about her expat life in Malaysia. We last spoke at the height of the global pandemic, when she and her husband were closing in on a decade in Penang.

Fast-forward a couple of years, and they’re in a new country, Mexico. I’m chatting with Kirsten again to find out what factors influenced their decision to move, and why Mexico? And what it was like to close the Malaysia chapter of their life abroad.

YouTube Video UCB21b-C4O2aXm7H18_GsXMQ_2iutaBgsCRk

Moving From Malaysia To Mexico

Expat Focus 15 August 2023 3:23 pm

A topic that comes up quite often in our Facebook groups is moving abroad with children. What’s the ideal age? Especially if they're going to need to learn a new language? What about the best time of year to move? And how do you make the assimilation process, from learning new cultural norms to making new friends, as smooth and enjoyable as possible? My guest today is someone who can speak from experience. Sharon Green is the founding editor of online publication SHE DEFINED. And in 1998, just before she turned 12, Sharon migrated with her family from Durban in South Africa to Melbourne in Australia. Sharon’s going to share her experience of being a third culture kid, and how it has shaped her sense of belonging as an adult.

A topic that comes up quite often in our Facebook groups is moving abroad with children. What’s the ideal age? Especially if they're going to need to learn a new language? What about the best time of year to move? And how do you make the assimilation process, from learning new cultural norms to making new friends, as smooth and enjoyable as possible?

My guest today is someone who can speak from experience. Sharon Green is the founding editor of online publication SHE DEFINED. And in 1998, just before she turned 12, Sharon migrated with her family from Durban in South Africa to Melbourne in Australia.

Sharon’s going to share her experience of being a third culture kid, and how it has shaped her sense of belonging as an adult.

YouTube Video UCB21b-C4O2aXm7H18_GsXMQ_62EMRLnSni4

Growing Up As A Third Culture Kid In Australia

Expat Focus 26 July 2023 6:48 pm

When American, Samaki Dorsey Schneider moved to France permanently five years ago, the last thing the 44 year-old expected was to need to take a driving test. But that’s the reality for some expats who can’t simply exchange their existing driver’s license for a French one. Keep listening to find out why this is the case, what the testing process is like in France, some of the costs involved and the road rules that might be a little different to what you’re used to.

When American, Samaki Dorsey Schneider moved to France permanently five years ago, the last thing the 44 year-old expected was to need to take a driving test. But that’s the reality for some expats who can’t simply exchange their existing driver’s license for a French one. Keep listening to find out why this is the case, what the testing process is like in France, some of the costs involved and the road rules that might be a little different to what you’re used to.

YouTube Video UCB21b-C4O2aXm7H18_GsXMQ_hrrVi0XbYgg

How To Get A French Driver's License

Expat Focus 23 June 2023 2:29 pm

Load More... Subscribe
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Important: No API Key Entered.

Many features are not available without adding an API Key. Please go to the YouTube Feed settings page to add an API key after following these instructions.