Hungary

Each country has its own requirements and qualifications when it comes to teaching. Some require a bachelor’s degree in any field. In others, you’ll qualify with only a high school diploma and your TEFL certificate. Some countries have strict visa requirements that may disqualify you based on your citizenship or criminal background. Let’s take a look at the qualifications needed for teaching English in Hungary. Education A bachelor’s degree is required to teach in schools in Hungary. Citizenship European Union (EU) citizens are able to work legally in Hungary. There are no specific citizenship requirements to teach English in Hungary, and you do not need to be a native English speaker in order to find a job there. See more below regarding English fluency levels. For those without EU citizenship, it will be much harder to find a school that can hire you and sponsor you, outside of the Central European Teaching Program (CETP). Citizens of the U.S., Canada, the UK and the EU are eligible to apply to this program. English Fluency As mentioned above, there are no citizenship requirements to teach in Hungary. That being said, if English is not your first language you’ll still need to have a high fluency in English, and you might need to be more flexible about your school and location preferences to compete with native English-speaking candidates. Background Check While a 100% clean criminal record check is not generally a requirement to teach in Hungary, you will still need to …

While Hungary might often be overlooked for its neighbors in Central Europe, like the Czech Republic or Austria, when it comes to tourism, many are starting to see that it is a hidden gem! With more than 1,300 thermal springs (many of which are connected to bath houses), a thriving nightlife scene, interesting food, all while being relatively cheap compared to Western Europe, it is a backpacker’s dream. Where there is a rise in tourists, there is a demand for English and there are many opportunities throughout the country. Hiring seasons are extremely important for Hungary. September is the first peak hiring season right after everyone is back from their summer vacations and ready to start the school year; the second being January just after the holidays. It is very hard to find a job outside of the hiring seasons and we do not typically recommend going to Hungary at any other time. Contracts are typically valid for 10-12 months. The Central European Teaching Program (CETP) hires teachers to start for September and January also, but hires well in advance and throughout the year for positions. You can find English teaching positions in private language schools, private or bilingual/international schools, or even public schools via the Central European Teaching Program (CETP). Private language schools are privately-run and typically for-profit language training centers that can cater to students of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. For positions in bilingual/international …

Congrats! You have decided between applying to a private language school , a private or international school, or the Central European Teaching Program (CETP)…or maybe you haven’t yet. That’s okay! We can at least start the necessary steps for the application process in Hungary. Heads up! For non-European Union (EU) citizens, be sure to check out our Teaching in Hungary Timeline, as well as the Applying for the Visa section for more information and to make sure that you are staying on track with your documents. As most positions do not offer a work permit, you will be going over on a student visa or working holiday visa (if you qualify) which have certain timelines before going abroad. For CETP, you apply anywhere from 4-9 months in advance and get a specific visa for this program. *ITA does not review public school program applications, including the CETP program. Please refer to the program’s website for program application details and deadlines. Step 1: Prepare Your Initial Application Materials Resume & Cover Letter Your resume and cover letter are the keys to connecting with schools and beginning the application process. International employers look for specific elements in a resume that may differ from what you’re used to seeing domestically. Once you’ve updated your resume and cover letter to meet the recommended international standards, submit your draft to your Student Affairs Advisor for review. Photos In Europe, it is very common to include a photo on your resume …

Congratulations on your job offer(s)! If you’ve been offered a position with a public school or bilingual school with the Central European Teaching Program (CETP), there’s not much else to consider besides whether or not you’ll accept the offer. If you’ve applied to work at a private language school, and you’ve followed our previous advice you’re already off to a great start. But what’s next? Determining whether or not the offer is right for you. To help make this determination, follow the recommendations below. Whether you have one offer, or several, the key elements you’ll want to take note of are: salary, working hours, vacation days, sick days, medical insurance, and bonuses. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect with each of these elements. Review the Basics Salary The average starting salary for a first-year English teacher in Hungary is 250,000 HUF — 366,000 HUF per month. Anything significantly lower or higher should make you ask a few questions. The exception being CETP, where your stipend is closer to 180,000 HUF – 250,000 HUF  due to the fact you get housing and other program benefits. If the reason for the pay difference is obvious, like a rural location with a low cost of living or longer than average working hours, you may find that you’re okay with it. But don’t accept a contract that is paying you less for doing the same amount of work the average English teacher does, or one that doesn’t fit into your work-life-travel balance. Working Hours Teaching En…

The word “visa” tends to provoke daunting images of endless red tape and paperwork but we’re here to ease your anxiety and hopefully have you zipping through this process like a pro. Below, we’ll outline the most common visa routes for foreign English teachers in Hungary. As is always the case with any of the visa advice we provide, please be sure to cross-check this information with your local Hungarian consulate or embassy to ensure you are getting the most up-to-date, accurate, and personalized instruction there is! Visa Types Work Permit What is it? This visa allows you to work legally in Hungary with a registered Hungarian employer for a stay longer than 90 days. It is not common for Hungarian schools to hire foreign, non-EU English teachers on a work permit, however, as the process for obtaining this visa type can be quite lengthy and expensive for employers. Teachers who obtain a work permit in Hungary are typically hired by bilingual or international schools or through the Central European Teaching Program (CETP). How do you get one? Your hiring school will apply for your work permit on your behalf by submitting all required work permit documents to the immigration office in Hungary. This can be processed once you are in the country. ITA graduate Kristen H. who taught in Tapolca explains the process, “I came on a tourist visa, and my work visa was processed upon entering the country. I had a list of documents that I needed to send in advance, and bring copies of. Thes…

In the days, weeks, and months leading up to your move abroad, it’s more important than ever to stay organized and ask yourself: What are the logistics I have to consider and the loose ends I have to tie up in order to thrive in my new home? Do I have to worry about taxes? What about health insurance? And what the heck do I do about a cell phone? Fear not, TEFL teacher. In this section, you’ll find the tips, resources, and wisdom to tackle these questions and more! Review the Basics Health Insurance Although in a perfect world an apple a day would keep the doctor away, in reality, even teachers get sick. Cue health insurance/care. Regardless of the country you end up in, you should always inquire about health insurance before accepting a position. If health insurance is indeed provided by your employer, it’s imperative that the relevant details are outlined clearly in any contract you sign. More often than not in Hungary, basic health care is provided by the government if you are studying, part of the Central European Teaching Program, or working legally! Check out the “Accepting the Right Offer” section to learn more. Private healthcare is possible if you would like to pay for it on your own. It is also a good idea to purchase travel insurance which is separate from health insurance. This typically covers any major expenses if you are severely injured or sick in another country. ITA recommends World Nomads . Savings & Banking In Hungary, it may take anywhere from six to nin…

You have finally made it to the end of the Hungary section, no small feat! Here is all of that wonderful information from the previous sections laid out step-by-step and month-by-month before your intended departure date for Hungary. This timeline is not only for the planners and check-list lovers (although you will love this too). It is strongly encouraged for anyone planning a move to Hungary to help keep you on track and organized as you make your way through the process. Finding a Job in Advance with CETP (Central European Teaching Program) Please keep in mind that the main hiring seasons for Hungary are September and January. Take your desired start date and subtract from there. While it may be possible to move some parts of the process along quicker, follow this timeline as closely as possible. 6-9 months before departure: Begin your research & application process ___ List out your preferences and priorities ___ Chat with ITA alumni and read about alumni experiences __ Read through ITA’s resources, attend the Student Affairs webinar ___ Network with ITA Alumni and watch Instagram takeovers, etc. ___ Read about Hungary and Hungarian culture, etc. ___ Reach out to Student Affairs Advisor ___ Ensure your passport is valid for the entire time you plan to be in Hungary, as well as six months after ___ Finalize your international resume and cover letter ___ Order transcripts ___ Collect two letters of recommendation using the CETP form ___ Get two passport photos ___ Obtain b…

In CETP there are both rural and urban placements. I was in a rural placement. Public transportation is well-connected and I was able to travel many places throughout the country. I think this allows you to get a different perspective than if you were in Budapest, because in Budapest there is a big expat culture. Kristen H. Tapolca, Hungary Hungary is great! I love living here. There is so much to see not only in Budapest but also all around Hungary. Also, since Hungary is in such a centralized location, it is easy to travel all around Europe on the weekends! Megan L Budapest, Hungary Hungary is the first place I've visited where I knew almost nothing of the language. I tried to learn some before I arrived and continued to take online classes while here, but I think the language-learning window has finally closed for me. This should not put off others, however. The Hungarian language has some very interesting features that I've not seen before. Moreover, I suspect that for a younger person, it's not as difficult to learn as the Hungarian people would have us think. Alan Miskolc, Hungary