The hardest part of studying abroad usually isn't the studying. It's the first month: a new city, a new language, and a list of official tasks that nobody explained at home.

This guide walks you through your first weeks as an international student in Hungary, week by week. Save it, because you'll want it again when you land.

Two things worth knowing before you read on. First, your D-type visa is valid for a limited period after you enter Hungary, so the early steps are time-sensitive. Second, you won't be doing this alone: the university's international offices, the student administration centre and the partner TroubleShooter office all exist to help new arrivals with exactly these tasks.

Before You Fly: Five Things to Sort Out

1. Arrange your arrival transport. Most students fly into Budapest, which is about a three-hour drive from Debrecen. The university's TroubleShooter office can arrange a door-to-door minibus shuttle from Budapest Airport, which is far less stressful than working out trains with your luggage after a long flight.

2. Confirm your accommodation. Whether it's a dormitory place or a private flat, have written confirmation. You'll need proof of accommodation for your residence permit, and a lease contract showing the rent and the end date.

3. Photocopy and scan everything. Passport, visa, acceptance letter, payment receipts, school certificates, insurance documents. Keep digital copies in cloud storage and printed copies in your hand luggage.

4. Bring some cash in euros or forints for your first days, plus a card that works internationally. You won't have a Hungarian bank account yet.

5. Check your start dates. First-year Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy students have a compulsory Hungarian crash course that begins before the semester, so they arrive earlier than the official term start. Don't book flights before you've checked your start date.

Week 1: Registration and the Essentials

Register at the university

This is the first thing to do, because almost everything else depends on it. You'll go to your faculty's student administration office with your passport, original certificates, acceptance documents, and payment receipts.

Registration gives you the three things you need immediately:

Start your residence permit process

Your entry visa is temporary. The residence permit is what lets you stay for your studies, so start this in your first week, not your last.

The application is submitted through the Enter Hungary online system, and the processing fee is paid online by bank card. A few practical tips that save people a lot of frustration:

The documents you'll typically need include the application form, your student status certificate, proof of accommodation (lease contract or a statement from whoever is providing it), and a written declaration of your financial circumstances.

Get a Hungarian SIM card

Mobile data makes everything else easier, from maps to appointment bookings. Bring your passport, since you'll need ID to register a SIM. A prepaid card takes minutes to set up, and you can switch to a monthly plan later once you have a bank account and an address card.

Find the essentials near you

Spend an hour walking your neighbourhood: the nearest supermarket, pharmacy, tram or bus stop, and the route to your campus. Doing this in daylight in your first days is much easier than working it out in the rain before an 8 am lecture.

Week 2: Bank Account, Address Card and Student Card

Open a Hungarian bank account

You don't strictly need one on day one, but it makes student life far simpler. Rent, bills, and mobile plans are easier to pay locally, and there's one university-specific reason: any balance left on your Neptun account can only be transferred back to a Hungarian bank account.

Take your passport, residence permit or visa, student status certificate, and proof of your Hungarian address. Some banks offer student accounts with reduced fees, so ask when you apply.

Register your address

When you have accommodation confirmed, your address gets registered, and you receive an address card (lakcímkártya), the small official card proving where you live in Hungary. You'll be asked for it repeatedly: at the bank, at the immigration office, and for other administrative tasks.

Address registration is handled at the government office (kormányablak). In Debrecen, the main one is on Piac utca, near the Szent Anna utca tram stop. Check the opening hours before you go, take your passport and your accommodation documents, and expect to queue.

If your address changes later, report it. Your residence permit is tied to where you live, so an out-of-date address causes problems at renewal.

Apply for your student card

Registered international students can apply for a Hungarian student card, which gives discounts on public transport, museums, cinemas and more. You apply through the university, and the Registrar's Office tells you when to collect your temporary card. The permanent card can take several months, and you can track its status in Neptun under the student card request section.

For the 2026/27 academic year, the student card is included in University of Debrecen tuition, so there's nothing extra to pay.

Sort out your transport pass

With your student card or student status certificate, you can buy a discounted monthly pass for Debrecen's trams and buses. If you live near campus and plan to walk or cycle, work out whether a pass is worth it before committing.

Weeks 3 and 4: Settling In

Complete your medical check-up

International students complete a medical check-up after arrival. For 2026/27, the cost is included in the University of Debrecen tuition, so it's one less expense in an already expensive month.

Get your timetable and start lectures

Use Neptun to register for courses and check timetables, and ask for help early if something looks wrong. Course registration deadlines are firm, and sorting out a problem in week three is far easier than in week eight.

Learn a few Hungarian phrases

You can live in Debrecen in English, but a handful of Hungarian words makes daily life smoother and is appreciated in shops and offices. Medical students need Hungarian later anyway, since clinical training involves talking with patients, so early practice is an investment rather than a distraction.

Build your support network

Join your faculty's student groups and international societies. The people who arrived a year before you are the fastest source of practical answers about landlords, doctors, shops and exams.

The university also runs a mental health counselling service for international students. Feeling unsettled in your first weeks is normal, and asking for support early is sensible, not dramatic.

Set up your university payments

University fees are paid through your Neptun account, and transfers take one to three working days to appear. Top up a small amount in advance so you're not caught out by a deadline or an unexpected fee, and always include your Neptun code exactly as instructed in the transfer comment.

Mistakes New Students Make in Their First Month

Your First 30 Days: Checklist

Week 1

Week 2

Weeks 3–4

Planning Your Arrival? We Can Help

If you haven't started your journey yet, we're here from the first question to your first day in Debrecen.

Tell us your program and intake, and we'll walk you through what to expect before you fly, what to prepare, and what to do in your first weeks.

Prefer to talk? Contact us today or visit the University of Debrecen South Asia Regional Office.

Still applying? Check the entry requirements, read the student visa guide, and see the application deadlines. Applications for the February 2027 intake close on 1 November 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do first when I arrive in Hungary as a student?

Register at the university. Registration gives you your Neptun code and your student status certificate, which you need for your residence permit, bank account, and student card.

How do I get my residence permit after arriving?

The application is submitted through the Enter Hungary online system, with the fee paid online by bank card. The card is delivered by post. If you're asked to attend in person for fingerprints and a photo, book an appointment within 15 days.

What is an address card and why do I need it?

It's the official card showing your registered address in Hungary. You'll need it for banking, immigration matters, and general administration. You get it after registering your address at the government office.

Do I need a Hungarian bank account?

It isn't compulsory, but it makes paying rent, bills, and mobile plans much easier. It's also the only type of account the university can transfer a remaining Neptun balance back to.

How do I get a student card in Debrecen?

Apply through the university after registering. You collect a temporary card first, and the permanent card can take several months. You can check its status in Neptun.

Is the medical check-up expensive?

For the 2026/27 academic year, the medical check-up is included in the University of Debrecen tuition, along with health insurance and the student card.

Will I manage without speaking Hungarian?

Yes, for study and daily life. University programs are taught in English, and the university's offices work with international students constantly. Learning basic phrases still makes everything easier, and medical students study Hungarian for clinical training.

What if I get stuck with paperwork?

Ask early. The university's international and student administration offices, and the partner TroubleShooter office, handle these questions for new students every year. Most problems are quick to fix when raised early and slow to fix when left.