Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students in Hungary

Students searching for fully funded scholarships for international students 2026 in Hungary have several strong options through Hungarian government programmes. The most popular is Stipendium Hungaricum, which provides tuition-free education, a monthly stipend, accommodation support and medical insurance.

Other major opportunities include the Scholarship Programme for Christian Young People, the Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship, and the Students at Risk Subprogramme.

One important point should be clear: even scholarships commonly described as “fully funded” may not cover every personal expense. Hungary’s official scholarship authorities state that monthly stipends and housing allowances are contributions toward living costs and may not fully cover private rent, especially in Budapest.

Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students in Hungary

1. Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship 2026

Stipendium Hungaricum is the leading Hungarian Government scholarship for international students.

For the 2026/2027 academic year, students could apply for:

• Bachelor’s programmes.
• Master’s programmes.
• One-tier Master’s degrees.
• PhD programmes.
• Selected non-degree programmes.

The application deadline for students beginning in September 2026 was January 15, 2026 at 2:00 PM CET. The 2026/2027 application round is therefore already closed.

Students targeting the following intake should monitor the official portal for the next call.

What Does Stipendium Hungaricum Cover?

For Bachelor’s, Master’s, one-tier Master’s and eligible non-degree students, the scholarship currently provides:

• Full tuition fee exemption.
• HUF 43,700 per month for living expenses.
• Free university dormitory accommodation or HUF 40,000 per month toward housing.
• Hungarian healthcare services.
• Supplementary medical insurance worth up to HUF 65,000 per year.

PhD Scholarship Amount

Doctoral students receive higher financial support:

• HUF 140,000 per month during the first four semesters.
• HUF 180,000 per month during the second four semesters.

This makes Stipendium Hungaricum particularly attractive for students looking for a fully funded PhD in Hungary.

Eligibility depends on the educational agreement between Hungary and the applicant’s Sending Partner, meaning available programmes vary according to nationality.

2. Scholarship Programme for Christian Young People

The Scholarship Programme for Christian Young People (SCYP) is another major government-funded opportunity.

The programme was established by the Hungarian Government for eligible Christian students living in crisis regions or facing persecution, threats or restrictions related to their faith.

Students currently participate from countries including Syria, Iraq, Palestine, Lebanon, Pakistan, Egypt, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Kenya, Armenia, Ghana and Nicaragua. The programme offers more than 200 courses at Hungarian universities across areas such as medicine, engineering, architecture, IT, economics and humanities.

What Does SCYP Cover?

The scholarship provides:

• Full tuition fee coverage.
• Monthly stipend.
• Accommodation support.
• Reimbursement of eligible travel expenses.
• Medical insurance.
• Free scholarship application and admission examinations.

Applicants also need an official recommendation from an eligible church organization.

For 2026/2027, the application deadline was January 10, 2026 at 23:59 CET. Applications are currently closed, and the next application period for 2027/2028 is expected to start in autumn 2026.

3. Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship

The Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship is another comprehensive Hungarian Government scholarship, but it is intended for applicants with Hungarian roots who live in diaspora communities outside Europe.

For the 2026/2027 academic year, the application deadline was February 2, 2026 at 2:00 PM CET, so this round is also closed.

Scholarship Benefits

Eligible students can receive:

• Tuition-free education.
• HUF 43,700 monthly stipend at Bachelor’s and Master’s levels.
• HUF 140,000/180,000 monthly stipend at doctoral level.
• Free dormitory accommodation or HUF 40,000 monthly housing contribution.
• Medical insurance.
• A one-time travel allowance of HUF 330,000 for eligible applicants living at least 8,000 km from Budapest.
• Reimbursement of a Hungary Pass for domestic public transportation.

The scholarship is available across different degree levels, but applicants must satisfy Hungarian heritage and identity requirements.

4. Students at Risk Scholarship

The Students at Risk Subprogramme operates within Stipendium Hungaricum.

For 2026/2027, it provides opportunities for eligible Ukrainian citizens affected by the war to begin their studies in Hungary.

Benefits include:

• Tuition-free education.
• HUF 43,700 monthly stipend at Bachelor’s and Master’s levels.
• HUF 140,000/180,000 at doctoral level.
• Free dormitory or HUF 40,000 monthly accommodation contribution.
• Medical insurance.

Applicants can choose from most programmes offered under Stipendium Hungaricum, subject to programme restrictions.

5. Bilateral State Scholarships

Hungary also awards scholarships through bilateral scientific and educational agreements with foreign governments.

These programmes may support:

• University students.
• Researchers.
• Lecturers.
• Short-term study.
• Research stays.

Applications can be made through nomination by the applicant’s home-country scholarship authority or, in some cases, through an individual application managed by Tempus Public Foundation.

However, benefits vary by country and agreement, so bilateral scholarships should not automatically be described as fully funded.

Which Fully Funded Scholarship in Hungary Is Best?

For the widest range of international applicants, Stipendium Hungaricum is generally the strongest option because it combines tuition-free education with a monthly stipend, accommodation assistance and healthcare.

Applicants with more specific backgrounds may find better opportunities through:

• SCYP for eligible Christian students from crisis regions.
• Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship for eligible applicants with Hungarian roots.
• Students at Risk for eligible Ukrainian citizens.

Does Fully Funded Mean You Need No Personal Money?

Not necessarily.

Stipendium Hungaricum explicitly states that the scholarship benefits are contributions toward students’ living costs and may not cover every expense.

Students should budget separately for possible costs such as:

• Additional private rent.
• Food and personal expenses.
• Airfare.
• Residence-related expenses.
• Study materials.
• Emergency expenses.

The HUF 40,000 housing contribution, for example, may be significantly lower than the cost of a private apartment in Budapest.

How to Prepare for the Next Hungary Scholarship Intake

Students targeting 2027/2028 should begin preparing before applications open.

Important documents typically include academic diplomas, transcripts, passport documents, proof of language ability and a motivation letter. PhD applicants may also need a research proposal and additional academic documents.

Applicants should also verify nationality-specific requirements because eligibility for Hungarian government scholarships can vary substantially by country.

Final Thoughts

The strongest fully funded scholarships for international students 2026 in Hungary include Stipendium Hungaricum, SCYP, the Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship and the Students at Risk Subprogramme.

Stipendium Hungaricum remains the broadest option, offering full tuition coverage together with monthly stipends, accommodation support and health insurance. SCYP can provide similarly comprehensive funding to eligible applicants from crisis-affected Christian communities, while the Diaspora Scholarship offers extensive financial support to eligible students of Hungarian heritage.

Because the major 2026/2027 application rounds are now closed, students preparing for the next intake should follow the official scholarship portals during autumn 2026.

Official Sources

• Stipendium Hungaricum – Official Scholarship Website
• Stipendium Hungaricum – Application Information
• Hungary Helps – Scholarship Programme for Christian Young People
• Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship – Official Website
• Study in Hungary – Bilateral State Scholarships