Find Your Expat Network in Hungary

Published on October 4, 2025 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Relocating to Hungary as an expatriate can be an exciting adventure, but building a social network is often essential for fully integrating into this new country. Thanks to the cultural richness and diversity of this Central European nation, expatriate communities play a crucial role by offering mutual support and opportunities for cultural exchange.

Whether you’re in Budapest, charming provincial towns, or even picturesque villages, there are numerous groups and activities that allow you to build meaningful connections with others who share similar interests and challenges.

This article explores in depth where and how to find your network in this unique multicultural environment, highlighting the key places and initiatives that will facilitate your integration and enrich your Hungarian experience.

Expatriate Networks in Hungary: A General Overview

The main expatriate networks in Hungary include associations, active social media groups, dedicated forums, and events that facilitate integration. Here is a structured overview of key players and their services.

Organization / Group	Type	Main Services / Support
Budapest Accueil	Association	Welcoming newcomers, neighborhood coffee meetings, cultural events, private Facebook group
Union of French Citizens Abroad (UFE)	Association	Administrative and legal advice, relocation assistance
French Citizens Worldwide – ADFE	Association	Social and administrative support for expatriates
DEFH (French-Speaking Leaders & Entrepreneurs in Hungary)	Professional club	Business networking, business creation assistance
InterNations	Online community	International help forums, organization of multilingual events

Active Social Groups & Online Forums

• Private Facebook groups managed by Budapest Accueil
• InterNations communities offering exchanges between expatriates
• Specialized forums on French-speaking expatriation

Key Events for Integration

• Regular neighborhood coffee meetings hosted by Budapest Accueil
• DEFH business networking evenings
• Cultural outings organized by various associations
• Thematic workshops (job search, administrative orientation)

Concrete examples of complementary resources:

• French-Hungarian Chamber of Commerce: facilitates professional connections and offers job workshops.
• National clubs: gatherings around national heritage or sports.
• French-Hungarian Youth Foundation: educational support and youth activities.

List of main types of services offered:

• Job search assistance through workshops or professional clubs
• Group or individual Hungarian/French/English language classes
• Personalized legal advice (residency, taxation)
• Administrative support (local procedures)
• Cultural activities promoting local discovery

Opportunities offered:

• Personal development through language classes and intercultural activities
• Professional development through business networking (DEFH), entrepreneurial mentoring
• Concrete improvement in daily life through sharing practical information

Impact on quality of life:

• Faster navigation of procedures thanks to community support
• Increased sense of belonging, reduced culture shock through social events
• Creation of a strong friendly network enabling better social adaptation

The community feeling is strengthened through:

The regular organization of themed meetings where newcomers are naturally integrated. The constant sharing between long-term expatriates and new arrivals creates an environment conducive to mutual assistance, promoting a more peaceful adaptation to Hungarian life.

In summary:

Associative networks,
digital groups,
and professional clubs form a vibrant ecosystem that actively supports every step of the expatriate journey—both personally and professionally—while cultivating a genuine, supportive community at the very heart of daily Hungarian life.

Using Facebook Groups to Build Connections

Facebook groups dedicated to expatriates in Hungary represent a valuable opportunity to meet other expatriates and integrate into local life. These virtual spaces facilitate connection building, information exchange, and the organization of friendly or professional meetings.

How to search for and join these groups:

• Use specific keywords in the Facebook search bar, such as:
• expatriates in Hungary
• French speakers in Hungary
• international community in Budapest
• expats Budapest
• French in Budapest
• Browse the list of suggested groups, read the descriptions, then request to join those that match your expectations.
• Some groups require answering a few questions or accepting a code of conduct before being accepted.

Advantages of these Facebook groups:

• Ask practical questions (housing, healthcare, administrative procedures, schooling, employment, etc.).
• Request local advice on neighborhoods, transportation, leisure activities, or restaurants.
• Organize or participate in in-person meetings (happy hours, brunches, cultural outings, sports activities).
• Receive alerts and announcements about events, job offers, or useful services for the community.
• Quickly build a social network, essential for better integration and sharing experiences.

Examples of popular groups	Language	Main Feature
Expats in Budapest	English	Large and active community
French Speakers in Budapest	French	Solidarity and mutual assistance among French speakers
Budapest Moms	English	Targeted at expatriate families and parents
French in Budapest	French	Practical information and French-speaking meetings
International Friends in Budapest	English	International activities and outings

Expatriate testimonials:

“Thanks to a Facebook group, I was able to find an apartment in a few days and meet other French people to share advice and organize outings.”

“The members helped me understand the local administrative procedures and I was quickly invited to a brunch among expatriates.”

“The groups are very responsive. I posted a question about international schools and received ten responses in less than an hour!”

Best practices for interacting in these groups:

• Read and respect the group rules before posting or commenting.
• Briefly introduce yourself in your first post to facilitate welcoming by the community.
• Prioritize politeness, kindness, and clarity in exchanges.
• Avoid sensitive or controversial topics that could harm the group atmosphere.
• Participate actively: answer other members’ questions, share feedback, or propose meetings.
• Show cultural curiosity and remain open to differences to maximize social enrichment.

Facebook groups are essential tools for integrating, exchanging, and expanding your social circle in Hungary. They foster authentic meetings and enriching experience sharing, provided you respect the community dynamics.

French-Speaking Meetings: How to Connect Easily

To facilitate connections between French-speaking expatriates in Hungary, several online platforms and social networks play a central role:

Essential platforms and social networks:

• Dedicated Facebook groups: “French Speakers in Budapest,” “French-Speaking Expats Hungary” offer exchange spaces to ask questions, share tips, or organize meetings.
• Meetup: allows you to find or create thematic groups (French happy hours, book clubs, game nights) specifically targeting the French-speaking community.
• LinkedIn: useful for professionals wanting to expand their network via the DEFH club (French-Speaking Leaders & Entrepreneurs in Hungary).

Platform/App	Main Use	Concrete Examples
Facebook	Sharing practical information, event organization	Groups “French-Speaking Expats Hungary,” “French in Budapest”
Meetup	Event organization and registration	Monthly language happy hour, book club
LinkedIn	Professional networking	DEFH Club

Cultural and social events organized by local associations

• French Institute of Budapest: regularly organizes conferences, film debate screenings, art exhibitions, and festivals such as the Book Festival or Francophonie Week.
• Professional clubs like DEFH: informal professional meetings around business in French.
• Various French-Hungarian associations (ADEFO, Alcyon):
  • Cultural evenings (French-speaking concerts)
  • Literary clubs
  • Monthly friendly dinners
  • Culinary workshops

Concrete example:
The ADEFO association offers each year a series of conferences on French-Hungarian history as well as thematic workshops.
The Francophonie Festival brings together artists and enthusiasts every spring around a varied program.

Practical tips to fully benefit from groups on Meetup/Facebook

• Subscribe to notifications to be quickly informed when a new event is announced.
• Don’t hesitate to post a question or propose a meeting yourself if none match your expectations. Communities are generally welcoming towards newcomers.

Tip: Prepare a short personal introduction in French before your first participation to break the ice.

Overcoming language barriers

• Even in a mostly French-speaking setting, some members may be bilingual with Hungarian or English.
  • Don’t hesitate to politely ask if someone can briefly translate if needed.
  • Use mobile applications like Google Translate during initial mixed meetings if you don’t yet master Hungarian well.

Quick list of tips facilitating integration:

• Arriving a few minutes before the event often makes it easier to start conversations with the first arrivals.
• Actively participate in proposed activities (collaborative language games for example).
• Offer your help for the next organization – this naturally accelerates your integration into the group.

Regularly participating in local events not only strengthens your language skills but also your social network while discovering different cultural facets of the host country.