Budapest is set to increase police presence at some of the capital's most problematic locations following an agreement between the government and five district mayors. There will be a concentrated police presence at 19 permanent locations and regular police checks at a further 90 locations across the capital.
The exact locations will be agreed with district municipalities and are expected to be finalised by 15 September 2026. The measures follow 30 days of heightened police checks introduced in Budapest from 20 July after five district mayors called for action over public safety.
For anyone considering a property in Budapest , it is also worth taking some time to look at the surrounding area.
Visit the Area at Different Times
A property viewing tells you little about the surrounding area after dark. Visit during the day and again in the evening. If you expect to use public transport, walk from the nearest stop to the property after dark and check whether the route is well lit.
If you are seriously considering buying, visit without the estate agent as well.
Look at the Street, Not Just the Statistics
Crime statistics can be useful, but they do not tell you everything about an individual street or building. Look at lighting, entrances, pedestrian activity and the condition of the immediate surroundings.
It is also worth speaking to the building manager and, where possible, local residents. People who live there can often tell you about nighttime noise, poorly lit areas or other recurring problems that may not be obvious during a property viewing. You can ask the estate agent as well, but do your own research rather than relying on any one person's opinion.
Check the Building
For an apartment, security does not stop at the street.
Check how easily someone can enter the building, whether the main entrance closes and locks properly and whether the intercom works. Look at access to the staircase, courtyard and basement storage, as well as any ground-floor or otherwise accessible windows and terraces.
There are also relatively simple improvements owners can make.
“When we advise clients about security, we normally start with the easiest points of entry. A good-quality entrance door and locks should be the starting point. If replacing the entire door is unnecessary or too expensive, a properly installed hevederzár a reinforced horizontal security lock can strengthen an existing apartment door at considerably lower cost than replacing it with a new security door.
“Motion-sensor lights can also be installed at suitable apartment entrances, terraces and other dark access points. Position them so that somebody approaching the property is illuminated rather than leaving the entrance in shadow. Where new electrical wiring is required, use a qualified electrician,” says Alex Markus, Chief Executive, City-Lets Ltd.
Changes affecting condominium common areas should first be agreed with the building where required.
Budapest's Wider Public-Safety Measures
The agreement goes beyond additional police patrols.
The government is also considering a Budapest salary supplement for law-enforcement workers. Districts could receive greater powers to restrict the nighttime opening of tobacco shops and suspend their operation following serious violations. The Interior Ministry also supports extending enforcement for traffic offences documented by CCTV and is preparing proposals to expand the powers of municipal enforcement bodies.
Not all of these measures have been implemented yet, and the locations of the new concentrated police presence still have to be finalised.
Budapest's increased focus on public safety is encouraging. If the new measures work as intended, they could make affected neighbourhoods more comfortable for the people who live there and that would be good news for Budapest property as well.