Multilingual Education and Language Policy in Hungary

Hungary's relationship with foreign languages runs deeper than most visitors realize. As a small nation of roughly 10 million speakers surrounded by countries with entirely different language families, Hungarians have long recognized that multilingualism is not a luxury but a practical necessity. This awareness shapes everything from primary school curricula to university graduation requirements and government scholarship programs.

For international students considering Hungary as a study destination, understanding this linguistic landscape helps explain why the country has developed such a strong infrastructure for language education and why Budapest in particular has become a magnet for language learners from around the world.

Foreign Language Education in Hungarian Schools

Hungary's national curriculum mandates foreign language instruction beginning in the fourth grade (around age 10), though many schools introduce basic language skills as early as the first grade. By secondary school (gymnasium), students typically study two foreign languages simultaneously.

The Dominance of English and German

The two most widely taught foreign languages in Hungary are English and German, reflecting both historical ties and practical economic considerations. According to data from Eurostat, approximately 57 percent of Hungarians aged 25-34 report speaking at least one foreign language, with English leading at roughly 40 percent, followed by German at about 18 percent.

Germany and Austria remain Hungary's largest trading partners, which sustains strong demand for German language skills in business, engineering, and tourism. English, meanwhile, dominates in technology, academia, and international communications, and its share continues to grow among younger generations.

Other Languages

French, Spanish, Italian, and Russian are also available at many secondary schools, though enrollment numbers are considerably smaller. Russian, once mandatory during the Soviet era, experienced a sharp decline after 1989 but has stabilized in recent years. Chinese language programs have been expanding at select schools, reflecting growing economic ties between Hungary and China.

University Language Requirements

Hungarian universities require students to demonstrate proficiency in at least one foreign language to receive their degree. Most institutions accept a B2-level language certificate (intermediate-upper) from a recognized examination system such as:

• ELTE Origo: Hungary's own widely recognized language examination system, testing approximately 100,000 candidates annually across 30 languages
• Cambridge English Examinations: The FCE (B2) and CAE (C1) are the most commonly submitted for English
• Goethe-Zertifikat: For German proficiency, levels B1 through C2 are accepted
• DELF/DALF: For French language certification

This requirement means that virtually every Hungarian university graduate has demonstrated formal proficiency in at least one language other than Hungarian, creating a broadly multilingual professional workforce.

Programs for International Students

Stipendium Hungaricum

The Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship program, funded by the Hungarian government, is one of the most generous study-abroad schemes in Europe. It covers tuition, provides a monthly stipend, and includes a one-year Hungarian language preparatory course for students whose programs are taught in Hungarian.

Over 80 sending countries participate in the program, and thousands of scholarships are awarded annually. For language learners, the embedded preparatory year is particularly valuable: it provides intensive Hungarian instruction at no additional cost, bringing students from zero to a functional level before their degree program begins.

Erasmus+ in Hungary

Hungary is a popular Erasmus+ destination, receiving students from across the EU for one or two-semester exchanges. Most Erasmus students attend programs taught in English, but many also take Hungarian language courses alongside their main studies. Budapest's ELTE, Corvinus, and BME (Budapest University of Technology) are among the most-selected Hungarian institutions by incoming Erasmus students.

Bilingual and International Schools

Budapest is home to several bilingual and international schools that operate partially or entirely in a language other than Hungarian:

• German-language schools: The Deutsche Schule Budapest and several Hungarian-German bilingual secondary schools offer curricula that lead to the Abitur or its Hungarian equivalent
• English-language schools: The British International School, American International School, and several IB-program schools operate primarily in English
• French-language school: The Lycee Francais de Budapest provides a French-curriculum education from primary through secondary levels

These institutions serve both the expatriate community and Hungarian families who want their children to achieve native-level fluency in a second language. Demand has grown steadily over the past decade, reflecting both increased internationalization and parent recognition that bilingual education provides significant cognitive and career advantages.

The Broader Value of Studying in Hungary

Beyond formal language programs, studying in Hungary offers an immersive multilingual environment that is difficult to replicate elsewhere. Budapest's international student population includes people from over 100 countries, creating natural opportunities for language exchange that extend far beyond the classroom.

The city's cultural infrastructure supports this: museums offer guided tours in multiple languages, theaters stage productions in English and German alongside Hungarian, and public signage in tourist areas is increasingly trilingual. For language learners, this means constant exposure to multiple languages in authentic, everyday contexts.

For detailed advice on choosing a school in Budapest, see our guide to language schools and courses. If you are specifically interested in learning Hungarian, our Hungarian language basics guide provides a foundation for getting started.