What Should My Portfolio Look Like as an Expat in Hungary?

A Simple, Effective Strategy to Structure Your Investments Abroad

One of the most frequent questions I hear from expats living in Hungary is: “How should I structure my investment portfolio now that I’m living abroad?”

It's an important — and very smart — question. Living and working in a different country often brings exciting opportunities, but also added complexity when it comes to managing your money:

• Which currency should I invest in?

• Should I invest locally or globally?

• How do I stay diversified while living in a single country?

If you're looking for a simple yet powerful framework to organize your portfolio as an expat, the Core-Satellite strategy is an excellent place to start.

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Why It Matters for Expats

As an expat in Hungary, you might earn in forints, save in euros, and plan for a retirement in another country altogether. Your portfolio needs to be:

• Flexible enough to adapt to changing plans

• Diversified to reduce geographic and currency risk

• Cost-efficient and easy to manage from anywhere

That’s where the Core-Satellite approach comes in.

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Core vs. Satellite: How It Works

1. The Core – Your Global Foundation

This is the stable, long-term part of your portfolio.

• Designed for broad market exposure (think MSCI World or S&P 500 ETFs)

• Typically low-cost, passive investments (index funds, bond ETFs)

• Can be held in euros or USD, depending on your goals

• Helps manage currency and home-country bias

2. The Satellites – Your Strategic Layer

These are smaller, actively managed or thematic investments.

• Might include technology ETFs, sustainable investing, or emerging markets

• Gives you the ability to express personal views or hedge specific risks

• Can also include alternative assets like real estate, gold, or even crypto (if aligned with your profile)

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Example: Expat Portfolio in Hungary (€100,000)

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 Key Benefits for Expats

• Reduces overexposure to a single country or currency

• Combines global diversification with personal flexibility

•  Helps you stay invested long-term, while remaining adaptable

• Easy to monitor from anywhere — whether you're in Budapest or back home

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Disclaimer

The content of this article is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalised financial advice. The strategies discussed are most effective when understood within the broader context of the investment principles covered in my advisory course. If you haven’t attended the course, I strongly recommend doing so before applying any of the ideas presented here.