Save Money on Your Bank Account: Discover Free Options for Hungarians in Budapest

Published: November 13 2023

Bank account fees in Hungary may not seem high, but over the course of a year, we end up paying tens of thousands of forints for our accounts. However, it is possible to have a completely free bank account package without having to be a high-income premium customer. In fact, there are several banks that offer fee-free options.

For an average Hungarian, the cost of a bank account may not initially seem significant, but on an annual basis, they pay an average of 35,000 forints for their accounts, which amounts to roughly 330 billion forints for the entire domestic bank account population. Given this, it's surprising that an average Hungarian can actually find a completely free account. These accounts not only have free account maintenance, but also no fees for cash withdrawals, transfers, bank cards, and notifications. In fact, an average Hungarian can choose from multiple free account packages.

Not every bank offers completely free accounts, or at least there are different requirements – such as minimum monthly deposits – in exchange for fee waivers. It's also important to consider what exactly is included for free in each bank's account package.

Choosing the right account is important, but so is examining and adjusting our own financial habits. How much cash do we use? How often do we withdraw money in installments? How can we reduce our reliance on cash? It's crucial to take advantage of the option for free cash withdrawals, but keep in mind that this is not automatic and needs to be communicated to the bank. Additionally, using the bank's online or mobile banking services can reduce costs compared to in-person transactions at the bank. Opting for push notifications instead of SMS notifications can also be cheaper, but requires a suitable mobile device and internet connection. By adopting these habits, we can significantly reduce our account costs without switching or changing account packages.

With a little research and consideration of our own banking needs and habits, it is possible to find and utilize a completely free bank account in Hungary. By taking advantage of fee-free services and optimizing our use of online and mobile banking, we can save money and make the most of our bank accounts.

=== How much do Hungarian residents typically pay for their bank accounts annually? On average, Hungarian residents pay approximately 35,000 forints per year for their bank accounts. This amounts to roughly 330 billion forints for the entire bank account population in Hungary.

Is it possible to find a completely free bank account in Hungary? Yes, it is possible to find a completely free bank account in Hungary. There are several banks that offer free account packages where there are no fees for account maintenance, cash withdrawals, transfers, bank cards, and notifications.

Who can qualify for a free bank account with the UniCredit Bank Partner Aktív Zéró? To qualify for the completely free UniCredit Bank Partner Aktív Zéró account, the bank expects a monthly credit of 75,000 forints.

What is the minimum income requirement for the CIB ECO Bankszámla to be free? To have the CIB ECO Bankszámla completely free, a minimum credit equivalent to the minimum wage is required. Currently, this is 154,280 forints.

What is the income requirement for the Erste Privilégium 2.0 Partner bank account to be free? For the Erste Privilégium 2.0 Partner bank account to be free, a monthly credit of 225,000 forints is required.

Are these free bank account options achievable with the average salary in Hungary? Yes, these free bank account options can be achieved with the average salary in Hungary. According to data from the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH), the average gross salary in August 2022 was 573,132 forints. This corresponds to a net monthly salary of 381,133 forints, which meets the requirements for free bank accounts.

How important are banking habits when it comes to choosing a bank account? Banking habits are very important when choosing a bank account. Not all banks offer completely free accounts, or the conditions to maintain the free account may vary. It is important to consider factors such as free cash withdrawals, free online or mobile banking transactions, the type of bank card provided, free notifications, and the duration of the fee exemption.

What should be considered in terms of banking habits to save money on bank account fees? To save money on bank account fees, it is important to consider your personal banking habits. This includes reducing cash usage, taking advantage of free cash withdrawal options, utilizing online and mobile banking services, and opting for push notifications instead of SMS notifications. These habits can significantly reduce account costs.

Is it necessary to inform the bank for free cash withdrawals? Yes, it is necessary to inform your bank if you want to take advantage of free cash withdrawals. Without notifying your bank, you may be charged for each ATM withdrawal.

How can using online and mobile banking help save money on bank account fees? Using online and mobile banking can help save money on bank account fees. Transactions done through these channels are typically cheaper than in-person transactions conducted at a bank branch.

What is the role of Bankmonitor in choosing a bank account? Bankmonitor provides a bank account search tool that allows individuals to compare different options and find accounts with annual costs ranging from 0 to 30,000 forints.

Can changing banking habits alone reduce bank account costs? Yes, changing banking habits alone can help reduce bank account costs. By utilizing free cash withdrawal options, conducting transactions through online and mobile banking, and opting for push notifications, account costs can be significantly decreased. Bank account switching or package changes are not always necessary.

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