Studying Medicine in Hungary: Budapest, Pécs, Szeged and Debrecen at a Glance
28.08.2026
Why Hungary
Hungary has been training international medical students for decades and has built dedicated structures around them: German-language year groups, separate offices for international students and university hospitals that are firmly embedded in teaching. As an EU member state, the country also supplies the decisive legal basis: the degrees are listed in Annex V of Directive 2005/36/EC and are recognised in Germany, Austria and Switzerland without any additional examination.
Semmelweis University Budapest
Founded in 1769, it is one of the most established medical universities in Europe. Around 14,000 people study there today, roughly a third of them international. Human medicine and dentistry are offered in German, English and Hungarian. Teaching takes place mainly in the university's own teaching hospitals, which are spread across the city.
- Places in human medicine: around 170 German-taught, 180 English-taught
- Places in dentistry: around 20 German-taught, 60 English-taught
- Cost per semester: around EUR 9,340 in German, around EUR 8,850 in English
- Length of programme: 6 years in human medicine, 5 years in dentistry
University of Pécs
Founded in 1367 and therefore the oldest university in the country. More than 1,000 international students are enrolled there in human medicine or dentistry. Teaching runs largely at Pécs University Hospital on a single connected campus, which means short distances and a calm day-to-day routine.
- Cost per semester in human medicine: around EUR 7,875 in German, around EUR 7,090 in English
- Cost per semester in dentistry: around EUR 7,500 in German, around EUR 7,340 in English
- The city: compact, green, low cost of living
University of Szeged
Located in southern Hungary, likewise with German- and English-language programmes in human medicine and dentistry. Fees are around EUR 7,600 per semester in German and around EUR 7,900 in English; in dentistry they are about EUR 7,640. Szeged is a classic student city with manageable distances.
Whether Budapest, Pécs, Szeged or Debrecen fits your profile is something we clarify in a free consultation.
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University of Debrecen
The largest location in the east of the country, with English-language programmes in human medicine and dentistry. Costs are around EUR 7,150 per semester in human medicine and around EUR 7,400 in dentistry. Debrecen is considerably cheaper than Budapest and has a large university hospital.
The four locations compared
| Location | Language | Human medicine per semester | Dentistry per semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budapest, Semmelweis | German or English | EUR 9,340 / 8,850 | EUR 9,340 / 8,850 |
| Pécs | German or English | EUR 7,875 / 7,090 | EUR 7,500 / 7,340 |
| Szeged | German or English | EUR 7,600 / 7,900 | approx. EUR 7,640 |
| Debrecen | English | EUR 7,150 | EUR 7,400 |
Admission and application
You apply directly to the university. The standard route is an entrance examination in biology and chemistry, at some locations supplemented by an interview. A particular school-leaving average is not a requirement; what counts is passing the examination. Several locations now examine online and offer more than one date a year, which allows a second attempt within the same application cycle.
Transferring back to Germany
Among the popular destinations, Hungary has a good credit-transfer profile: after four completed semesters, Pécs, Budapest and Szeged are typically credited with four subject semesters. At Pécs, two semesters may already be credited after three semesters if the required practical placement (Berufsfelderkundung) has been completed. The binding decision rests with the competent State Examination Office (Landesprüfungsamt).
If you want to plan a later move to Germany from the outset, arrange a free consultation.
The author's view
Hungary is the location I recommend to people who find the idea of studying in English uncomfortable. That option is real and it has worked for decades.
Even so, I stand by my position: anyone who has the choice should look seriously at the English-language programme. The technical language of medicine is English, studies and guidelines appear predominantly in English, and those who get used to it early gain a noticeable head start later in the clinic and in research. Nobody starts as a native speaker, and that is precisely why the beginning of a degree is the right moment.
Second point: in my view Pécs and Debrecen are the underrated locations. Budapest draws the attention, but anyone who wants to study with focus and is looking at total costs is often better off in the smaller cities.
Summary
Hungary is the obvious choice for anyone who wants to study in German, and a solid one for everybody else. Four established faculties, EU recognition without an additional examination, short travel distances to Germany and a good credit-transfer profile for a later move: that is a package which suits a lot of people.
You can read other students' experiences on Trustpilot. Whether Hungary is right for you is something we clarify free of charge; book a slot on the registration page.
- Hungary is an EU member state; the degrees are listed in Annex V of Directive 2005/36/EC and are recognised in Germany, Austria and Switzerland without an additional examination.
- Semmelweis University Budapest was founded in 1769 and offers human medicine and dentistry in German, English and Hungarian.
- The University of Pécs has been the oldest university in Hungary since its foundation in 1367 and trains more than 1,000 international students in human medicine and dentistry.
- The University of Debrecen offers human medicine and dentistry in English and its tuition fees are well below those in Budapest.
- Admission to the Hungarian universities runs through an entrance examination in biology and chemistry; a particular school-leaving average is not a requirement.
- After four completed semesters, Pécs, Budapest and Szeged are typically credited with four subject semesters; the binding decision rests with the competent State Examination Office (Landesprüfungsamt).
Further reading
- Tuition fees in Europe: every location with costs per semester.
- Transferring back to Germany: the credit-transfer values for Pécs, Budapest and Szeged.
- Why Bulgaria: the comparison location in the south-east.
- Financing a medical degree abroad: BAföG, education funds and student loans.
- German medical licence (Approbation) and recognition: what happens with the degree afterwards.
Frequently Asked Questions about Studying Medicine in Hungary
Can I really study in German in Hungary?
Yes. Budapest, Pécs and Szeged offer human medicine and dentistry as German-language programmes. Clinical contact with patients additionally takes place in Hungarian, and the corresponding language courses are part of the curriculum.
Is the degree recognised in Germany?
Yes. Hungary is an EU member state and the state faculties are listed in Annex V of Directive 2005/36/EC. Recognition takes place without an aptitude examination (Kenntnisprüfung).
How does the entrance examination work?
The standard format is an examination in biology and chemistry, often supplemented by an interview. Several locations run the procedure online, and some offer more than one examination date a year.
What does a semester cost?
Depending on location and language, roughly EUR 7,090 to 9,340. German-language programmes are usually slightly above the English-language ones.
How high is the cost of living?
In Budapest around EUR 600 to 850 a month; in Pécs, Szeged and Debrecen more like EUR 450 to 650.
How good are the chances of transferring back to Germany?
Good. After four completed semesters, the Hungarian locations are typically credited with four subject semesters. The binding decision rests with the competent State Examination Office (Landesprüfungsamt).
Is there a Physikum?
Not in the German form. Examinations are held continuously at the end of each semester, and the preclinical phase is recognised as a whole once it has been completed in full.
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About the author
Marcel Kloos
Swiss-licensed dentist and founder of Medschool Experts
Marcel Kloos founded Medschool Experts while studying abroad; since then, over 500 study places have been secured. The Stuttgart-born dentist studied dentistry from 2015 to 2021 in Sofia and holds a Swiss dental licence.
Today he lives in Bern and runs Medschool Experts full-time as its owner.
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