How do you choose a school in Hungary when moving back home?
For parents returning to Hungary from Switzerland: the structure of the Hungarian school system, school types, admission deadlines, recognition of certificates, and the most important steps, step by step.
What is the structure of the Hungarian school system?
Hungarian public education is divided into three main stages:
Stage | Grades | Age (approx.) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
Primary school (basic education) | Grades 1–8 | Ages 6–14 | Compulsory, catchment-area enrollment |
Secondary school | Grades 9–12 (or 13) | Ages 14–18/19 | Depends on the type and program |
Vocational education (dual or school-based) | Grades 9–11 | Ages 14–17 | Technical school or vocational school |
In Hungary, compulsory schooling lasts until the age of 16; after that, the student may decide whether to continue their studies.
Important difference compared with the Swiss system: In Switzerland, the canton-specific structure (e.g. Primarschule 6 or 8 years, then Sekundarschule) does not automatically match the Hungarian grade system. Placement is always determined by the receiving school.
What types of schools can you choose from?
Gymnasium — the path preparing for the school-leaving exam and higher education
Gymnasium (in four-, six- or eight-year forms) is primarily for students who want to continue in higher education. The school-leaving exam (matura) is a basic requirement for admission to higher education.
Four-year Gymnasium: after completing 8 years of primary school, from age 14.
Six-year Gymnasium: after completing 6 years of primary school, from age 12 — with an entrance exam.
Eight-year Gymnasium: after completing 4 years of primary school, from age 10 — with an entrance exam.
Admission to six- and eight-year Gymnasium is competitive, and getting into the best schools requires strong preparation.
Technikum (formerly: vocational secondary school) — secondary school leaving certificate and vocational qualification at once
The technikum is a five-year programme (grades 9–13), and by the end of the studies it awards both a school-leaving certificate and a vocational qualification. It is suitable for those who want to learn a specific trade while still keeping the option of higher education open. Since 2020, the term “technikum” has been used in Hungarian legislation instead of the former name vocational secondary school.
Vocational school — direct route into a profession
Vocational school (formerly: trade school) is a three-year programme and primarily provides a vocational qualification, without a school-leaving certificate. It is recommended for those who want to enter the labour market as soon as possible in a specific profession.
Which one should we choose? This depends on the child’s academic performance, interests, and the family’s long-term plans. For children moving back from Switzerland, strong foreign-language skills — especially German — are a major advantage, and this should be taken into account consciously when choosing a school.
When and how do admissions procedures take place?
Primary school enrolment
Primary school enrolment in Hungary is based on catchment areas: the school assigned to the child’s place of residence is obliged to admit them. Free school choice is also possible, but schools outside the catchment area are only obliged to admit a child if they have available places.
Enrolment usually takes place in April–May (for the given school year). If a family moves back during the school year, the headteacher should be contacted for an individual decision — this is usually handled flexibly.
Secondary school admissions — deadlines and process
The secondary school admissions process runs through the Köznevelési Regisztrációs és Tanulmányi Alaprendszer (KRÉTA) and follows a strict calendar.
Event | Approximate date |
|---|---|
Submitting the application form (in KRÉTA) | End of January (before the given school year) |
Written entrance exams (if any) | Early February |
Publication of results | March |
Enrolment | June |
⚠️ Exact deadlines may change from year to year. The current calendar for the 2025–2026 school year should be checked on the website of the Oktatási Hivatal (OH).
For families moving back from abroad: if the child is still in Switzerland during the admissions period, most schools allow documents to be submitted in advance and — based on individual arrangement — the entrance exam to be taken later. This must be requested separately from each institution, as there is no uniform procedure.
What language-teaching and international programmes are available?
Bilingual and advanced language programmes
Many Hungarian state and foundation-run grammar schools offer bilingual programmes (Hungarian–English, Hungarian–German, Hungarian–French), in which certain subjects are taught in the target language. These programmes are available through separate admissions and also prepare students for advanced-level school-leaving exams.
For children moving back from Switzerland the Hungarian–German bilingual programme may be especially relevant if the child acquired strong German language skills.
IB (International Baccalaureate) and IGCSE
In Hungary, only a limited number of schools offer the IB Diploma Programme (IB DP) or IGCSE exam options — these are typically found in Budapest and a few larger cities, and the vast majority are private schools or institutions maintained by foundations.
The list of Hungarian schools offering IB programmes can be checked on the official website of the IBO (International Baccalaureate Organization).
Important: the tuition fee for the IB Diploma Programme in Hungary varies from one private school to another, and can range from several hundred thousand forints a year to as much as millions of forints. This option requires financial planning.
English-language and international schools
Budapest and a few major regional cities (Győr, Debrecen, Pécs) have private schools with English-language or partly English-language instruction. These mainly provide a transitional solution for children who have lived abroad for a longer period and are returning, or for children with dual citizenship.
How are qualifications earned in Switzerland recognised in Hungary?
The general principle
As an EU member state — and within the framework of Swiss–EU relations — Hungary in principle recognises foreign school certificates, but this is not an automatic process. The head of the receiving school decides on grade placement and may order a placement test if necessary.
Required documents
The following documents usually need to be presented:
Certificates for all completed school years in Switzerland (Zeugnis) — with a certified Hungarian translation
Birth certificate
TAJ number (if you have one, or if the application is in progress)
Address card or proof of registered address in Hungary
Any documentation relating to speech therapy, developmental support, or special educational needs, if relevant
In Hungary, the translation can be done by the Országos Fordító és Fordításhitelesítő Iroda (OFFI) or by a court interpreter. It is also possible to start the translation in Switzerland and have it certified in Hungary — this can save time.
Placement test
If the headteacher orders a placement test, it usually covers Hungarian language and literature, mathematics, and — where relevant — a foreign language. For children coming from the Swiss system, Hungarian spelling and literature tend to be the biggest challenge, especially if the child has spent several years in Switzerland.
It is worth starting preparation already in Switzerland: Hungarian reading, writing, literature — either through a weekend Hungarian school or with a private tutor.
What else should be done in Switzerland before moving back home?
The following steps should ideally be taken 3–6 months before the planned move back home:
Gathering documents: all school certificates, report cards, developmental records — preferably both originals and copies.
Order the translation: from OFFI or a court interpreter; the process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a month.
Map out the schools: identify the catchment-area school for your planned address in Hungary, and look for alternative options (bilingual, advanced-track, private).
Contact the school: ask by email or phone about available places, admission requirements, and the placement test procedure.
KRÉTA registration: required for secondary school admission; the parent can complete this after registering the Hungarian address.
Hungarian language preparation: if the child has not studied Hungarian regularly for years, it is worth starting to make up the gap already in Switzerland.
What needs to be arranged in Hungary after arrival?
The following steps are needed in the first 4–8 weeks after arrival:
Register your address at the local document office — this is the basis for all further procedures.
Apply for a TAJ number (if you do not already have one), and arrange health insurance.
School enrollment — at a time agreed with the principal, with the documents presented.
Placement test (if required by the school) — typically within a few weeks of enrollment.
Textbooks and supplies — Hungarian schools issue a list; in the first few weeks they are usually flexible about missing items.
Parent meeting / homeroom teacher meeting — it is worth proactively contacting the homeroom teacher, mentioning the foreign background and any special needs.
Where can you ask for help and information?
Official channels
Oktatási Hivatal (OH): the authority handling secondary school admissions, the KRÉTA system, and the recognition of certificates.
Pedagogical Service: if the child has developmental, integration, or special educational needs, the locally competent service provides free assessment and counseling.
Local municipal education office: for the list of catchment-area schools and information on available places.
Parent communities and online resources
Hungarian Facebook groups for people living in Switzerland (e.g. Hungarians in Switzerland) — many parents who have moved back share their experiences, and you can also ask for specific school recommendations.
Forums for Hungarians moving back — these kinds of experiences are also collected in the svajc.com Knowledge Base and community platform.
Hungarian weekend schools in Switzerland (Zürich, Bern, Geneva, Basel) — the teachers working there often know the return-migration process and can offer practical advice.
Educational consultants
In Hungary, there are private educational consultants (typically based in Budapest) who help with school selection, entrance exam preparation, and administrative procedures. These are paid services; prices and quality vary — it is worth asking for references.
Sources
National Office for Education (OH) — secondary school admissions procedure and KRÉTA system: www.oktatas.hu
Office for Translation and Attestation Ltd. (OFFI): www.offi.hu
International Baccalaureate Organization — list of schools in Hungary: www.ibo.org
State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SBFI): www.sbfi.admin.ch
Swiss Universities (Swiss higher education accreditation): www.swissuniversities.ch
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In Brief
When moving back to Hungary, choosing a school depends on the child’s age, academic level, language skills, and the family’s long-term plans. Primary school is based on catchment areas, while secondary school admissions are tied to strict deadlines, so it is worth preparing the documents and application already in Switzerland. Recognition of Swiss certificates is not automatic: the head of the receiving school decides on placement and may also request a level assessment.
Key Takeaways
- When enrolling in primary school, first check the catchment-area school for your place of residence, because it is obliged to admit the child.
- For secondary school applications, follow the deadlines in KRÉTA and the current calendar of the Oktatási Hivatal.
- Recognition of Swiss certificates is not automatic, so the placement level and required documents must be discussed separately with each school.
- Translations can be prepared by OFFI or a court interpreter, and it is worth allowing time for these before moving back.
- If the child’s Hungarian language skills are weaker, extra preparation in Hungarian spelling and literature is necessary, because this is usually the biggest challenge.
- Choosing a bilingual, IB, or English-language school is only realistic if the institution has available places and the family accepts different admission or tuition conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which school type is most suitable after moving back home: gimnázium, technikum, or szakképző iskola?
The choice depends on the child’s academic performance, interests, and the family’s long-term plans. A gimnázium primarily prepares students for higher education, a technikum provides both a school-leaving certificate and vocational qualification, and a szakképző iskola leads directly to a vocational career path.
How does primary school enrollment work in Hungary?
Primary school enrollment is based on catchment areas, meaning the school in the child’s place of residence is obliged to admit them. School choice is also possible, but a school outside the catchment area is only required to admit the child if it has free capacity.
When should secondary school admission be arranged?
Secondary school admissions usually start at the end of January with the submission of the application form, written exams take place in early February, results are published in March, and enrollment happens in June. Exact deadlines may change every year, so the current calendar of the Oktatási Hivatal should be checked.
Are certificates earned in Switzerland automatically accepted in Hungary?
No, not automatically. The head of the receiving school decides on placement level and may also order a level assessment test if necessary.
What documents are needed for enrollment?
Usually you need the certificates from all Swiss school years with certified Hungarian translation, the child’s birth certificate, a TAJ number or proof that one has been requested, an address card or proof of address, and any documents related to developmental support or special educational needs.
Which subjects can be included in a level assessment test?
It usually covers Hungarian language and literature, mathematics, and, if needed, a foreign language. For children coming from the Swiss system, Hungarian spelling and literature are usually the biggest challenge.
Is there a school in Hungary that fits a Swiss background better?
Yes, bilingual gimnáziumok, schools offering the IB programme, and English-language private schools can be a transitional or international solution. These are mainly available in Budapest and a few larger cities, and they usually involve separate admissions or tuition fees.
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