A recent international study published by Oeconomus Economic Research Foundation highlights three essential factors that can make returning home a realistic option for Hungarians working abroad: secure housing, a family-friendly environment, and a stable livelihood. The Hungarian government has made significant efforts over the past decade to address these needs—and the newly launched Otthon Start Program (Home Start Program) is the latest initiative aimed at supporting repatriation and domestic home ownership.
What sets the Home Start Program apart is its dual focus: it supports both residents in Hungary and those currently living abroad who intend to build a future in Hungary for themselves and their children.
Since Hungary joined the European Union in 2004, one of the most impactful changes has been the freedom of mobility. This has opened up new career and education opportunities across Europe—through scholarships for students, internships for young professionals, and jobs for those seeking better financial prospects. Although each departure represents a potential loss for the country, free movement remains one of the EU’s core achievements, widely embraced by young Europeans.
Still, in a regional comparison, Hungary’s emigration rate remains relatively low. While 24.1% of Romania’s population, 21.3% of Croatia’s, and 18.5% of Bulgaria’s have left the country, Hungary’s rate is only 5.6%—less than a quarter of Romania’s figure and below the EU average. This places Hungary close to the Czech Republic (5.4%) and Slovenia (3.7%).
As data confirms, between 2005 and 2024, the number of Hungarian-born individuals living abroad increased by 181,000, reaching a total of 538,000. However, this trend is increasingly balanced by a rise in returnees. Since 2010, the number of people returning to Hungary has steadily grown, reaching a record in 2024, with nearly 29,000 people moving back.
Additionally, over 120,000 people live in Hungary but work in a neighboring country, according to the 2022 census. Austria remains the most common destination for cross-border commuters. But this trend is not limited to international borders—domestic commuting is also on the rise. In 2022, nearly 2 million workers had jobs located in a different town from their permanent residence, reflecting a growing flexibility among Hungarian workers.
The reasons for returning to Hungary are as varied as those for leaving. Some return after achieving their goals abroad, others come back due to disappointment, or simply because circumstances change. For many, the emotional cost of separation from family—like missing out on their children’s upbringing or caring for elderly parents—can outweigh financial benefits. Others face limitations in career advancement, such as hitting a “glass ceiling” in foreign organizations. In some cases, it is not the individual’s life that changes, but conditions in the host country—economic downturns, rising xenophobia, or political instability—that prompt the decision to return.
As OECD’s 2024 study reports, the three main factors influencing return migration are: access to secure housing, a supportive family environment, and a predictable income. The Hungarian government has introduced a range of policies over the past decade to address these concerns. The Home Start Program is another strategic step in this direction.
Having a stable home is central to any decision to return. The Home Start Program offers 3% interest rate loans even for those living abroad, including Hungarian citizens working in neighboring countries, regardless of current employment or insurance status in Hungary.
Eligibility extends to Hungarian nationals, dual citizens, and even those without citizenship but who have permanent residency rights in Hungary—such as individuals born abroad to Hungarian families. For those working outside neighboring countries, the program requires at least two years of insurance history, with at least 180 days spent in Hungary before applying. Some foreign full-time student status may also count toward eligibility.
To verify foreign income, applicants must submit documentation such as employment letters, pay slips, or official statements from local authorities abroad. The Home Start loan can be combined with other housing and family support schemes such as CSOK Plus, rural CSOK, or the baby-expecting loan, increasing the overall financial support available to returnees.
In recent years, Hungary has developed a wide range of family-oriented policies that are unique even by international standards. These support both young couples planning to have children and larger families seeking to improve their quality of life.
The government’s approach to supporting families is seen as a strategic priority. Highlights include housing assistance programs (CSOK Plus, rural CSOK, Otthon Start, Rural Home Renovation Program), tax benefits (personal income tax exemptions for mothers with multiple children or under 30, and tax-free childcare allowances), and childcare support (parental leave benefits, baby loans). Additional perks include student loan forgiveness tied to childbirth, and personal income tax exemption for workers under 25.
Photo: Pexels
For families with children, further support includes extra vacation days, free school textbooks, discounted transportation, subsidized school meals, and nursery care assistance. Older children also benefit from state-funded university places, refunded driving theory and language exam fees, among others. These measures help stabilize family finances and support decisions around childbearing and returning home.
Since 2010, Hungary has shifted toward a new economic model that prioritizes fiscal stability and job creation. Tax cuts and employment protection measures have contributed to a booming labor market. Foreign investment has accelerated, with major industrial players—particularly in the automotive and electronics sectors—establishing facilities in major cities across the country such as Győr, Kecskemét, and Debrecen, generating thousands of jobs.
Employment has surged since 2010. By 2014, Hungary matched the EU average, and by 2020, the country hit the EU’s strategic target with nearly one million new jobs created. By 2024, three-quarters of the working-age population were employed. Unemployment fell from 11% in 2010 to a historic low of 3–4% during the 2020s.
As housing programs like Otthon Start drive construction, they also stimulate job creation. New building projects require not just manual labor but also professionals—engineers, supervisors, project managers, administrators—boosting both the construction and service sectors.
Budapest, Photo: Pixabay
Beyond job creation, the government has also introduced structured career paths—in education, public service, law enforcement, health care, and defense—giving returning Hungarians the opportunity to plan long-term careers, not just find temporary jobs.
Like moving abroad, coming home is never a simple decision. But with the Home Start Program, the Hungarian government is offering yet another reason to return. It offers the possibility to realize the dream of owning a home—something most Hungarians deeply value—and builds a foundation for a stable and fulfilling life back home.
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Via Oeconomus Economic Research Foundation; Featured image: Facebook/Migrációkutató Intézet
The post Return Migration Hits Record as Government Expands Housing Support appeared first on Hungary Today.
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