Complete guide

How to find software developers in Budapest

Budapest
February 22, 2023
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Budapest is the capital and largest city in Hungary. Located along the Danube River, Budapest is a vibrant city with a rich cultural heritage. It is home to many iconic landmarks and attractions, such as the Hungarian Parliament, the Fisherman's Bastion, Buda Castle, and the Széchenyi Chain Bridge. Budapest is also known for its hot springs, thermal baths, delicious cuisine, and lively nightlife. With its stunning architecture, world-class museums, and lively atmosphere, Budapest is a must-visit destination for any traveler. Budapest is also a great place to find software developers. But software engineers in Budapest are also hard to find and hard to hire. Experienced developers get a lot of messages from recruiters, in some cases five or ten messages per day. To find engineers in Budapest you have to search for engineers in different sources, reach out based on their preferred contact details, personalize your outreach and make an attractive offer. In this guide you'll learn more about the tech ecosystem in Budapest, which methods to use to find developers and how to hire them.

Why Budapest is a good place to find developers

Developer statistics in Budapest

The statistics on tech talent in Budapest are quite impressive. According to a recent report from the Hungarian Investment Promotion Agency, Budapest is home to more than 25,000 tech professionals and boasts an impressive talent pool of tech experts in various fields, such as software development, artificial intelligence, and data science. Additionally, the city has seen a steady growth in the number of tech companies and startups in recent years, with over 400 tech companies and startups located in the city. Furthermore, due to its location in the heart of Europe, Budapest is an attractive destination for both local and international tech talent. The city is also home to several universities and research institutions, making it an ideal place for tech-focused education and research.

The tech ecosystem in Budapest

The tech ecosystem in Budapest is vibrant and growing. The city is home to a number of successful startups and tech companies, as well as a thriving co-working scene. It is also the home of several incubators and accelerators, such as The Connectory, TechCube, and Mindspace. Furthermore, the city is home to several international organizations, such as the European Institute for Innovation and Technology (EIT Digital), and the Hungarian Technology Transfer Office (HTTO). Budapest also hosts numerous tech conferences and events throughout the year. Additionally, the city is home to many talented developers, entrepreneurs, and investors, making it a great place to launch a successful tech business.

Best tech meetups in Budapest

Attending local meetups is a great way of getting introduced  to technical talent and getting a better feel for what software developers care about.
These are the best local meetups:

1. Budapest Web Meetup
2. Tech Leads Meetup
3. Mobile & Web Development Meetup
4. Budapest PHP Meetup
5. JavaScript Meetup
6. Budapest Data Science Meetup
7. Budapest Machine Learning Meetup
8. Budapest Blockchain Meetup
9. Budapest Cloud Computing Meetup
10. DevOps Meetup Budapest

Best methods to source and recruit talent in Budapest

There are many different ways to find and hire developers, some examples are:



1. Online job boards: Posting job ads on online job boards like Indeed, Monster, and Glassdoor can be a great way to source software development talent in Budapest.

2. Referral programs: Ask your existing team members for referrals. Offer incentives for successful referrals.

3. Professional networks: Reach out to your contacts in the software development industry in Budapest and ask for referrals.

4. Technical colleges and universities: Contact technical colleges and universities in Budapest and inquire about their software development graduates.

5. Social media: Leverage social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook to source software development talent in Budapest.

6. Freelance websites: Post your job on freelance websites like Upwork or Fiverr. This can be an effective way to find experienced software developers.

These are currently the best methods to find and hire developers:

Search LinkedIn, GitHub and Stack Overflow and reach out

The best way to find developer talent in Budapest is to find them in the places where they have an online profile and are active. Examples of those platforms are GitHub and Stack Overflow. LinkedIn can also be a valuable source.

Talent search engines can help you find developers online through a variety of sources. Most talent search engines also provide verified contact details so you can reach out to the talent you have found. In some cases these engines even automate a big part of the outreach process so you can reach hundreds of candidates per day.

An example of a talent search and engagement engine is HeroHunt.ai which can find 1 billion candidates worldwide and lets you reach out automatically with personalized messages.

Best job boards to find developers in Budapest

An alternative way to attract development talent is to post a job on a (local) job board.

These are the best local job boards to post your developer job on:

1. LinkedIn
2. Indeed
3. Glassdoor
4. Jobline
5. Monster
6. Careerjet
7. Startap
8. AngelList
9. TopTal
10. Stack Overflow

Best remote job boards to find developers in Budapest

If you are sourcing for remote talent then you can utilize remote specific job boards where you can post your remote job.

These are the best remote job boards to post your developer job on:

1. Budapest Remote
2. FlexJobs
3. Workana
4. Upwork
5. Freelancer
6. Fiverr
7. Guru
8. Remotive
9. WeWorkRemotely
10. RemoteOK

How to hire software developers from any place without a local office

When you’re hiring software developers you need to be aware of the local average salaries in order to provide a competitive job offer. Below are the average salaries for software developers per experience level.

Average local salaries

Average salary for a junior software developer in Budapest

The average salary for a junior developer in Budapest is approximately $2,500 per month. This figure can vary depending on experience and the specific role, but it is a good starting point for those considering a career in software development in Budapest. The salary range for junior developers typically ranges from $2,000 to $3,000 a month. There are also benefits associated with the job, such as health insurance, vacation time, and other perks.

Average salary for a senior software developer in Budapest

In Budapest, the average salary for a senior developer is around $58,000 USD per year. This amount can vary greatly depending on the type of company and the complexity of the projects the senior developer is working on. The average salary for a senior developer in Budapest is also dependent on their experience, the size of the company, and the industry they work in. For example, a senior developer working in the software development industry can expect to earn more than a senior developer working in the finance industry. Additionally, the level of seniority and the specific job title can affect the salary. Generally, a senior developer can expect to make more than a mid-level or junior developer.

Employing software developers (remotely)

Maybe your company doesn't have an office (yet) in Budapest. But that doesn't mean you can't hire employees in Budapest. There are several options like EORs which can help employ developers legally according to the regulations in Budapest.



An Employer of Record (EOR) is a third-party service that provides employers with the ability to hire employees in countries where they don't have an established legal presence. This allows employers to hire workers in countries such as Hungary without having to establish their own legal entity, saving them time and money.

1. Find a reliable EOR. Make sure the EOR you choose is properly licensed and experienced in the market you want to hire in. Check the company's reviews, ask questions, and research their track record.

2. Understand the regulations. Before you hire, make sure you understand the applicable labor laws and regulations in Hungary. The EOR should be able to provide you with the necessary information and guidance.

3. Set up the employment agreement. The EOR will help you create an employment agreement that meets the requirements of Hungarian labor law.

4. Set up the payroll. The EOR will manage the payroll for your employees in Hungary, ensuring that taxes and other deductions are taken care of.

5. Manage compliance. The EOR will help you stay compliant with the applicable labor laws and regulations in Hungary.

Using an EOR in Hungary is a great way for employers to hire quickly and easily in a new market. With the right EOR, you can be sure that your employees are well taken care of and that you are in compliance with the local laws.

Use a platform to find and hire the best developers:
Best platforms to employ developers worldwide

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