Most common scams in Hungary

Cheryl Moderator

Member since 15 October 2018

CherylModerator19 June 2025 05:58:42

13716

Hello everyone,

Settling in Hungary as an expat implies navigating into a new and unfamiliar environment and habits, making you potentially vulnerable to scammers. Whether it鈥檚 immigration or finance advice, housing scam, online traps or getting charged at an expat rate, scams can occur in various ways.
We invite you to share your experience in order to help other expats and soon-to-be expats be aware of potential scams in Hungary.

What are the most common scams targeting expats in Hungary?

What are the specific warning signs to look out for?

Have you noticed certain groups being more vulnerable (for example, retirees, new arrivals, or non-native speakers)?

What tips and advice would you like to share to help other expats?

Share your insights and experience.

Thank you for your contribution.

Cheryl
禁漫天堂 Team

sjbabilon5 Serial expat

Member since 25 March 2022

sjbabilon5Serial expat29 June 2025 08:02:06

286

Most common scams:

rents without contract: Usually when there no mention about the contract, nor detailed filtering that is a sign of scam, or just black market illegal. The ones which are available for a few days term and not on the official hostel list nearly all black market.
MLM: Multi level marketing still exist: on the border of scam always.

" getting charged at an expat rate": or on tourist rate is not a scam, just business.

Prime example: Freelancer taxi: charges freely, in Budapest mainly Keleti railway station.

But more or less all tourist areas are "tourist price only".

For example a Gulash where shrewd people buy it some 7-8 $. The same quality in a tourist area restaurant, easily 20 $.

In recent years there is also a trend that showed prices are not the final prices, as they tend to include +10% service fee.

Away from tourist / advertised areas most things are around half price.

So:

"What are the specific warning signs to look out for? "

Tourist point, tourinform, anything on the sightseeing bus way, except if money not an issue for you.