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Austria’s growing Hungarian population: What’s behind the numbers?
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The number of Hungarians living in Austria has increased significantly in recent years, and the number of Hungarians in Austria could reach more than 100,000 by early 2024. Reasons include better job opportunities, a more stable healthcare system and higher incomes.
In an interview with Szeretlek Magyarország, the Császár couple explained their decision to move to Austria: They decided to move because of their child’s health problems, as they could not find adequate care in Hungary. According to them, the Austrian healthcare system is so advanced and reliable that their child is already receiving the treatment he needs.
The basics of living in Austria
In addition to the healthcare system and higher wages, cost coverage is an important consideration in Austria. For instance, a family of three must have an income of EUR 2,000 to obtain a residence permit, which ensures that the family can live on its own. Rental prices are relatively similar in the countryside and in Vienna, usually between EUR 600 and EUR 800, which includes a share of the rent. Car maintenance, internet and telephone costs are also considerable, but two earners can live comfortably.
In terms of food prices, meat and services are more expensive than in Hungary, but the difference in quality makes it worthwhile for many. Rental prices in eastern Austria and western Hungary are converging, so some families are moving to areas close to the border.
When working in Austria, German language skills are a priority, especially for those looking for graduate jobs. Although English may be sufficient for certain professions, such as programming or medicine, it is mainly spoken in Vienna. In rural areas, German is almost essential. There is less demand for language skills in catering and in lower-skilled jobs such as cleaning or dishwashing, but even here, at least a basic knowledge of the language comes as an advantage.
The situation is somewhat easier for skilled workers, as there is a high demand for this type of labour. They can find employment without language skills, as practical skills predominate. Factory workers working three shifts can earn up to €2,000, well above what they can earn at home.
Lucky Hungarians. You have a neighbor with a better quality life overall, wondering what woudl those hungarians living in Austria do in case of HUXIT? Surely they will not go back to Fidesz arms….
“100.000 by early 2024” – HOW old is this article ???
DOES this mean – being LATE 2024 – it’s exceeded the 100.000 ?
Imagine it has, as Orban “sinks” Hungary further into the “mire”.
I believe this figure isn’t correct, it actually underestimates the number of Hungarian nationals living in Austria which I believe is 200k according to official Austrian figures when you include the retired and children under 18. Hungarians form one of the largest foreign national groups living in Austria and are second only to Germans on the job market where 125k Hungarians are registered as being in full time employment, which includes cross border commuters. This figure doesn’t account for those in part time work or the self employed which must make up a significant proportion of the expat Hungarian workforce, particularly as so many of them will be skilled tradespeople such as construction workers who tend to ply their trade in a self employed capacity. 100k is probably the number of Hungarian citizens of working age employed or self employed in Austria while also living there. Further distorting the figures is the fact that since 2013, Hungarians that have emigrated aren’t obliged to de-register from their Hungarian address, thus they can retain a Hungarian lakcim kartya showing their former Hungarian address. If this weren’t the case and those that have emigrated were correctly represented in the Hungarian statistics, the apparent rate of Hungarian emigration would be all the more visible.