British Expats

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- Hungary (https://britishexpats.com/forum/hungary-140/)

- - Newbie (https://britishexpats.com/forum/hungary-140/newbie-840300/)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pollypaprika (Post 11365741)

We were advised to buy those power circuit breakers from MediaMarkt :blink:

But to be honest, once a Hungarian storm hits...anything can happen!

I suppose the alternative is to unplug everything?

Quote:

Originally Posted by cathyg (Post 11360685)

I have found that once you are in the system it seems very efficient. In the past I have had serious medical treatment which means that I need regular checkups and tests. I tried to organise this through my village doctor but due to problems with communication it didn't work so I put it off for a while. Then I found out that a neighbour worked in our county hospital and she kindly arranged an appointment for me with the appropriate specialist. I used to work in the NHS so was very interested to find out what it would be like here. My impression is that the systems are very efficient. Basically I arrived at the hospital with a Hungarian friend in tow to help me. I had to register at reception which was a ticket system and a friendly receptionist registered me on the computer within about 5 minutes. This is where your HAJ card and address card are invaluable. I then proceeded to the clinic. Whilst seeing the specialist another nurse printed out the paperwork I needed for the tests. I then went back down to reception showed my paperwork and they booked the appointments for me there and then. I had to have an array of blood tests done so I arrived at my local clinic at 7 in the morning, handed in the paperwork and was given a printed bar code in return. I was whisked in for the test and out again in about 30 seconds flat! The next afternoon I returned to the clinic with my barcode which was used to printout the results from the computer and given to me. From what I understand here you as the patient collect your test results and then take them back to the specialist for interpretation if needed. All in all the systems seem to involve the patient more. I don't know why I felt surprised by this, even now Hungary can still surprise me and makes me realise that us 'westerners' can be blooming arrogant sometimes thinking that we have everything sussed.
Also health prevention here is another interesting story but that can wait for another time.

Very helpful. :thumbup:

Rural, would it be possible to move this informative post to another thread about healthcare (perhaps a new one)? I was looking for it earlier this week...I would like to add my experience which might also be of help to others.

Many thanks

I think there are several threads on health care, probably easier to paste into one of the ongoing ones.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rural Hungary (Post 11419299)

I think there are several threads on health care, probably easier to paste into one of the ongoing ones.

I found one on registering for State healthcare but couldn't find any others. If you could suggest one that would be great.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pollypaprika (Post 11361718)

Ha Ha! I am sure there is much more...I ran out of steam :rofl: In any event, I am sure one person's perspective is not the same as everyone elses...they are just some general pointers. I think a good list would be 'what to and what not to bring from the UK'. I.e. English garden tools just don't cut it (excuse the pun) - and wish we had brought more useful tools i.e. angle grinder, chain saw, etc. Oh and the fact that mattress sizes are different still irks me :lol:

Hi Polly,
Sorry to bother you and take you back to this point but could you scratch your head and expand a bit on this?....what did you wish you brought with you along this line?..i.e. tools machines and equipment, etc.
Most stuff where I am now is tax free and I think it would be a good idea to bring some basic and semi professional stuff.

Thanks.

A few people have told me that places like Hungary routinely receive "seconds" i.e. products that don't quite pass the quality control inspections for countries where the customers are perceived as being more fussy, like Germany. I don't know if this is true but certainly some of the electrical items I've bought in Hungary have given trouble very early on. I know from personal experience that such practices do go on in manufacturing industry. I used to be a metallurgist and I found that once we started doing routine sampling of each delivery of steel bars and rejecting the duff ones we magically started to receive better quality steel.

More of a reason to find out what needs shipping really. In my experience the western european standards on these things sometimes send their prices way up, but maybe ultimately it is worth it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chips55 (Post 11419680)

I guess it depends on where you are going to live and the size of your garden. All gardening tools (but make sure your mower and strimmer are decent ones), angle grinder, chainsaw, wrenches screws bolts...as many power tools as possible.

Thanks Polly...will get down to pricing things.
Can I just ask, can't you just cross the border to Austria or somewhere in western Europe and buy that stuff from there? I am assuming it would comply to the kite mark quality there too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chips55 (Post 11420259)

Can I just ask, can't you just cross the border to Austria or somewhere in western Europe and buy that stuff from there? I am assuming it would comply to the kite mark quality there too.

Yes you can, but I have never subscribed to the view that Hungary is sent sub-standard goods because its Hungary.

I don't know where you are coming from but your statement that 'things here are duty free' implies that you are outside the EU. It would be worth inquiring of any import duties payable before you stock up with kit. Another consideration might be the guarantee, if something does go wrong you usually have to take it back to the supplier, not send it to the manufacturer, so cross border claims (especially outside the EU) would be problematic.

Having said that last year I bought a DeWalt drill and impact screw driver package on-line (from the UK as it happens) and it was delivered for a price that was cheaper than available in Hungary. But it was on offer. I have also bought electric fence supplies from Germany (on-line) as they were cheaper than here but now the prices have come down here (I wonder why?:unsure:;))

So buying on-line is an option as part of the strategy, also remember that Hungary is still a repair society where many things are (affordably) repaired where in the UK they would be thrown out due to repair costs.

If you relocate somewhere is not expected that you will be moving your house from somewhere to somewhere with all you might have for the house and garden?...why should equipment be taxed then?
I had the misfortune of having to pay tax once in relocation but admittedly I had what cn be classified as heavy duty woodworking machines. But hand and power tools..!!!
I will ask anyway as I know a Hungarian customs officer.
Thanks again for the help.

There is usually an allowance (depending upon from where and the reasons for relocating) but typically this would apply to your personal possessions (ref your comment above about heavy duty (professional? machines) however the usual exemption does not typically apply to new kit. When I moved to Hungary (pre EU membership) there was a requirement that possessions had to be at least 6 months old to qualify for import tax exemption. (i.e. visibly look used, not new)

As always understand the rules before making the decisions because you can't assume the regulations are in any way reasonable or logical!!.

Just a quick reminder that Screwfix do free delivery to Hungary on orders over Â£100 but you can't order big, heavy items. I did get an electric mitre saw that way but that is probably one of the biggest items they will ship to Hungary. I find it useful for getting various types of plumbing fittings that are not available in Hungary.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chips55 (Post 11420456)

We have had friends move from both Turkey and Cyprus and neither had to pay duties on their possessions. So long as you are not transporting a van full of boxed electrical goods you won't have anything to worry about. ;)