Moving to Hungary – from Switzerland to Budapest and throughout the country

As mentioned above, the Hungarian tax and customs authority NAV requires at least 12 months of residence outside the EU and a genuine transfer of residence. NAV has published a detailed information sheet on this. It contains several points that matter when planning your move.

How NAV assesses your usual place of residence

Whether a residence has really been transferred is judged by NAV on several factors, including physical presence, housing situation, the children's school and place of work. If the usual place of residence cannot be proven beyond doubt, NAV does not grant the exemption. When goods are released for free circulation, the authority first checks the 12 months outside the EU.

For families this means: school registration, tenancy agreement and employment contract in Hungary are not just private documents but also evidence for customs. Collect these documents in a folder before moving day and carry it with you yourself.

If you move to Hungary alone first and your family follows later, document especially carefully from when the centre of your life actually lies in Hungary. That way NAV's criteria – presence, housing, school, work – can be proven without gaps.

Settlement permit for third-country nationals

According to NAV, a temporary entry for work is not sufficient. People transferring their usual residence from a third country to Hungary only receive the relief with a settlement permit (letelepedési engedély). If you do not hold an EU or EEA passport, make sure your residence status is settled before the removal van leaves.

If the permit is still pending, your household goods can stay temporarily in our furniture storage in Switzerland until the paperwork is complete. That way your belongings only cross the border once your status is clear.

List, electronic declaration and part loads

For release into free circulation, NAV says you submit a list of your personal property to the competent directorate; it is attached to the customs declaration. The customs declaration is processed electronically. Within the 12-month deadline, goods may also be imported in several consignments.

According to NAV, it makes no difference to the procedure whether you move with your own car or with a removal company. Excluded are means of transport for commercial purposes as well as tobacco and alcohol products. After clearance, the goods may not be lent, pledged, rented out or transferred for 12 months without prior notification.

• Collect evidence of your residence in Hungary: tenancy agreement, employment contract, children's school registration.
• As a third-country national, settle the settlement permit before the move.
• Prepare the list of personal property for the customs declaration.
• With part loads, plan all deliveries within 12 months.
• Do not pack alcohol and tobacco with your household goods.
• In Switzerland, declare the export at a customs office for commercial goods during its opening hours (BAZG).

NAV's information is authoritative; check details in advance with the Hungarian customs administration. Neighbouring destinations can be found under removals to Austria and removals to Poland.

Frequently asked questions

Who looks after my Swiss flat if I am already living in Hungary?
Our cleaning team, if you wish: it cleans the previous flat after loading and accompanies the inspection with the property management. If defects are found, it fixes them immediately at no extra cost. You arrange the key handover itself with the landlord, also through a representative.

How do you protect furniture on the long route to Hungary?
We wrap wood and upholstery in blankets and film, edges get corner protectors, and glass and mirrors stand upright in their own padding. In the vehicle, straps secure every load against slipping. Your household goods are insured all the way to Budapest or any other region.

How do you organise a move to Hungary in two stages if the family follows later?
With a first trip for what you need straight away and a second for the rest, which stays in our storage in Switzerland until then. NAV allows part loads within its deadline. We keep a single shared list on which every trip is recorded, so that both clearances match.

Where do I declare my own car that travels to Hungary alongside the removal van?
On export from Switzerland, separately from the household goods, together with a copy of the Swiss vehicle registration document. So plan to be at the customs office with the car at the same time as the removal van. According to NAV, a vehicle used for commercial purposes is not covered by the exemption and does not belong on the list.

What do we need to watch out for in an old building in Budapest without a lift?
Staircase width, doors and the space in front of the building. Send us photos of the entrance, stairwell and street in advance, and we will plan team size, furniture dismantling and a furniture lift if needed. We cover stairs and floors before carrying, so that the handover in Budapest goes without damage.

What is the maximum cost of a move to Hungary if I want a cost ceiling?
As much as the cost ceiling or flat rate we agree with you after the free survey. It is based on volume, distance and access. The agreed amount then applies as the upper limit for your move to Hungary; additional services are listed separately in the quote.

Why is a packing service worthwhile when moving to Hungary?
Because in the weeks beforehand you are collecting documents, cancelling contracts and perhaps still working. On request our team packs the kitchen, books and fragile items professionally and labels the boxes by destination room. In Hungary we can also unpack them again on request.

What does the electronic customs declaration in Hungary mean for packing?
The list of personal property has to be correct before the van leaves, because it is attached to the electronic declaration. We therefore agree a packing cut-off with you: anything added after that, we add neatly to the list or take along with a later part load.