Tag Archive for: Inter Relocation Group

Brexit Update – what changes for Brits in Hungary from 1st February?

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Brexit Update – The United Kingdom left the EU at 00:00 CET on Saturday 1st February 2020. We take a look at what that means for UK citizens who are already in Hungary and for any Brits that may still plan to relocate to Hungary this year.

Many believed this day would never come. It did though and all UK citizens in Hungary who have not yet managed to establish Hungarian or perhaps Irish citizenship, ceased to be EU citizens on Saturday. There have been many articles over the last year or more, communicating what Brexit will mean for UK citizens living in Hungary and here we seek to provide clear guidance as to what to do, if anything, now that Brexit day has indeed arrived.

Brexit and Immigration

If you’re a UK citizen and already hold a registration card (Regisztrációs Igazolás) and address card (Lakcímkártya­) then the good news is that your residence status in Hungary is guaranteed, for life. You do not need to do anything right now, your existing cards will remain valid until the end of the transition period, which forms an important part of the Withdrawal Agreement between the UK and EU.

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The transition period is currently set to expire on 31st December 2020, after which time one of the following options will apply:

  1. If you have already legally resided in Hungary for three years on 1st January 2021 then you will immediately be allowed to apply for a national permanent residence permit on preferential terms
  2. If you have not yet legally resided in Hungary for three years you will be allowed to retain your current cards and then once the three years has been completed, then apply for the aforementioned national permanent residence permit.

More information on Brexit and how it affects existing residents can be found by following this link.

Not yet established residence?

If you either plan to relocate to Hungary this year or already arrived but have not yet got around to registering, the good news is that during the transition period set out in the Withdrawal Agreement between the UK and EU, UK citizens may continue to establish their right to reside in Hungary, as if they were still EU citizens. However, the clock is ticking and unless the transition period is extended, there are now less than 11 months until this window of opportunity closes.

On 1st January 2021, current legislation states that newly arriving UK citizens will be treated as the non-EU citizens they are and will need to apply for a combined work and residence permit if they wish to engage in work for a Hungarian company. However, there is always the possible that a bi-lateral agreement will be signed between the UK and Hungary, allowing for a more simplified process.

If you are in any doubt as to what to do, or would like more information on the process of establishing or retaining legal residence in Hungary, post-Brexit, please contact us here or at [email protected].

UK citizens with non-EU spouses

More positive news here. Any non-EU spouse of a UK citizen who is currently legally resident as the dependent of an EU citizen, retains the right to reside, post-Brexit. When the UK citizen attains the right to apply for permanent residence on preferential terms, the spouse and any other dependents also qualify, subject to some terms and conditions.

This also applies to any UK citizen who applies for residence during the transition period.

Public transport

One key issue that UK retirees to Hungary have always enjoyed is the majorly discounted national travel and the right to use the Budapest public transport system, free of charge.

Whilst it is reasonable to assume that this right will be lost after the transition period, our opinion is that as the transition period allows for all rights and benefits of EU membership to be retained by UK citizens, this right to discounted or free travel should be retained, at least for the rest of 2020.

In conclusion

Although the UK has now left the EU, in reality the transition period means that not much has changed. Watch this space for more information.

Inter Relocation Continuously Sponsors Charity Horse Race

145,000ft for the Children of Zsámbék!

As the many successful and not-too successful but all very happy punters disappeared into the night after another evening of drama, excitement, disappointment, wild celebration and best of all Great Fun, and the snow of winning and torn-up and discarded loosing betting slips settled, the air cleared to reveal “not too” Honest Bob the bookie with assistant and runner joyously counting the evening’s takings and donations and Sponsor monies which, yes, amount to another 145,000 forint for the Children of Zsámbék!!

Nine Races this year, shown on all the television screens and the Big Screen in the Clubhouse and on “not too” Honest Bob’s ‘betting shop’ screens giving no shelter to the faint hearted from the tension and excitement of close run races.

Fortunately Champs bar staff kept the liquid refreshment coming to help ease the blood pressure and The Club Bp’s usual charity horse race Chili con carne after the fifth race gave a chance to calm any overstressed nerves before they were stretched to breaking point yet again… but everyone survived to some extent or other!!

Many thanks for all the sponsors

So, Many Thanks to all the Members and Guests who came to support the Children of Zsámbék and bet with such glee and enthusiasm, many even donating their winnings and more at the end of the evening….and to Champs attentive staff who raced up and down the Clubhouse and Bookie’s shop all evening keeping glasses refilled.

And Special thanks to The Club’s resident Bookie “not too” Honest Bob, and staff, and hard-working Bookie’s Tout, who all managed the challenges of the electronic (??) tote board, the punters’ cheers and tears and of course the selling and taking of bets and the (reluctant?) paying out, with aplomb.

Inter Relocation Continuously Sponsors Charity Horse Race

Sponsoring seven year in a row

During the next couple of weeks we will be discussing with the Norbertine Sisters what we can most help them with – the last couple of years it has been equipment for their kitchen training workshop, but we shall see and will let you know!

And lastly, but certainly not least, many thanks to those others whom without the evening would not have been so successful – the many Race Sponsors, to friends who couldn’t be there but made donations, and of course our Main Sponsor, for the Seventh time, Inter Relocation!

Inter Relocation is proud to be the main sponsor of this charity event to support the Children of Zsámbék. More about Inter Relocations’s charity work: HERE

We always love receiving good news like this especially around Christmastime! :)

 

 

Inter Relocation Receives Commitment to Excellence Gold Award

Stars of Global Mobility

(Boston October, 2019) — Inter Relocation was honoured for its outstanding performance at Cartus Corporation’s 2019 Global Network Conference held October in Boston, MA.

The Global Mobility Oscars

Cartus Global Network is Cartus’ industry-leading worldwide service provider network. Each year, Cartus recognizes the companies and individuals in the Network who have provided extraordinary service to its customers and clients worldwide.

Inter Relocation was also nominated for the prestigious Cartus Masters Cup in 2016.

This year Boston was the venue of the 2019 Global Network Conference

Winner 7th year in a row

Inter Relocation was named winner of the Global Network Commitment to Excellence Gold Award, the seventh year in a row that Inter Relocation has won such an award. This award was given for its exceptional service results, and it is one of the highest level awards a supplier can achieve through service performance. In addition, this award recognizes a supplier’s measurable commitment to excellence and is presented to Global Network service providers who have distinguished themselves by achieving critical performance metrics.

Inter Relocation owner Stuart McAlister receives Cartus Gold Award

A proud global mobility company owner

Stuart McAlister, Inter Relocation’s owner and Managing Director

Stuart McAlister, Inter Relocation’s owner and Managing Director, collected the award on behalf of his entire team. We asked him how he felt about this latest success:

“I’m delighted that Inter Relocation’s destination services team has maintained a consistently high level of quality service, over a seven-year period, and all the while expanding the volume of business we manage for Cartus and also widening our geographic coverage. I’m extremely proud of every member of staff that contributed to this amazing result.”

 

About Inter Relocation

 Founded in March 2002 , Inter Relcoation is a provider of relocation destination services and immigration compliance in Budapest, Hungary. Established with three full-time members of staff, Inter Relocation has a current staff of 21.

In addition, in 2003 Inter Relocation founded the international side of the company. From humble beginnings with the company offering relocation services in Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Poland. Inter Relocation now boasts franchise group members in 25 countries across Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia, with the Budapest office acting as the group headquarters.

Must-have guide for newly arrived expats in Hungary

How can expatriates living in Budapest find foreign language education institutions? How can you find your way around the Budapest (public) transport system? And where can you meet other foreigners living and working in Budapest? Our recently updated Welcome to Our World guide is here to help. It introduces Budapest and the peculiarities of Hungarian living from the perspective of expats.

Foreigners flock to Budapest not only for sightseeing trips, they often settle down for longer periods as well. Choosing and arranging the right place to live, organising medical treatment, education, as well as acquiring the necessary permits can present serious difficulties for expats, and there is no guarantee that information pieced together from several sources on the internet will be of great help.

A new English-language guide for expatriates

This English-language guide published by Inter Relocation, a leading relocation firm, is intended to make your integration easier. Here you can find comprehensive information to ease the stress of organising your stay and everyday living in Hungary. This guide will assist you in finding apartments, understanding lease contracts, and the specific rules of parking, public transport, the healthcare system as well as financial and education services. It provides advice for shopping, social and business networking and filling your free time with useful leisure activities. It also provides an insight into the history and sights of Budapest, while describing the districts of the city from the perspective of epxat residents.

Your Ultimate Free Guide to Hungary

“From exploring schools to finding the right doctors”

“We receive most questions about real estate, since it is really hard to find a good deal that represents value for money when you are looking to rent, especially in such an oversaturated market. Even though we are not able to find city centre houses with gardens and pools either, our advisers do their best to find the ideal solution in the client’s interest.

Relocation services, however, cover a wide range of aspects of the arrival process, from exploring schools to finding the right doctors speaking the right languages, and locating electricians, if required. We have handled a huge number of questions over a period of more than fifteen years now, and we have used them to compile this guide to provide a comprehensive picture of life in Hungary for workers of SMEs and large corporations moving here.” – says Stuart McAlister, founder and manager of Inter Relocation.

You can download the guide from HERE, but Inter Relocation clients receive a printed copy too. Expatriates living in Budapest can find a wealth of useful information in our magazine at EXPAT PRESS, and in the Budapest Expats Group on Facebook that is open to everyone.

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About Inter Relocation: Founded in Budapest in 2002, Inter Relocation has in the last 17 years become a significant player on the market, and its partner offices in 25 countries help expats settle down. It is the only company in Hungary to have the Quality Seal of EuRA (international organisation for relocation service providers), and in Hungary alone it has so far helped 25,000 people settle into life in Budapest.

Inter Relocation takes the stress out of the EuRA conference

Inter Relocation is proud to be co-sponsoring a Relaxation Station at the upcoming EuRA conference in Munich

Inter Relocation, together with two of  its strategic partners, is sponsoring a Relaxation Station at the upcoming EuRA conference in Munich. Conference participants are encouraged to take a break from their busy weeks to get a professional chair massage from one of the two expert therapists. Massages are free of charge but anyone taking advantage of this indulgence is encouraged to make a donation of at least €20 to EuRA’s chosen charity for 2019.

Come and find the Relaxation Station at the rear of the exhibit hall, in front of the staircase. Take a well-deserved rest and help us raise money for a good cause!

Inter Relocation and Charity

Inter Relocation is a proud holder of the EuRA Global Quality Seal. This industry recognised quality standard commits Inter Relocation to charitable activity as a part of its overall CSR strategy. In 2018 Inter Relocation’s charity activity included purchasing a digital infusion pump for the paediatrics department of a hospital in southern Hungary and to purchase a signed Liverpool FC shirt at the EuRA charity auction in Dubrovnik.

Inter Relocation takes the stress out of the EuRA conference

In 2019 Inter Relocation will continue to support sick and under privileged children in Hungary via its partnership with the Robert Burns International Foundation. Inter Relocation is also committed to working with EuRA again to ensure it raises the most money it can for its chosen charity for 2019, a multi-lingual language support service for immigrants.

Brexit Town Hall meeting report – 20th March 2019

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The British Embassy hosted a second Brexit Town Hall meeting last Wednesday, 20th March at the Budapest Marriott Hotel. Again, more than 200 UK citizens and other interested parties attended what this time was a more understated meeting. Significantly, the panel included senior figures from all the relevant ministries of the Hungarian government, while the United Kingdom government was represented by Her Majesty’s Ambassador, Iain Lindsay and Tom Whitehead.

Her Majesty’s Ambassador commenced the meeting by re-stating that it is critical all UK citizens register for legal residence before 29th March. Ambassador Lindsay also stated that the UK government’s aim remains to depart the EU with a deal.

The UK government continues to work with the Hungarian government to ensure that UK citizens can continue to live their lives exactly as they have done as EU members.

Pál Péter Schmidt, deputy secretary of state at the Hungarian Prime Minister’s office stated that the Hungarian government welcomes the vote of the UK parliament on 14th March stating that a no-deal Brexit should not take place under any circumstances. The Hungarian government has already passed a law covering many issues, intended to protect the rights of UK citizens in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

One key statement was to confirm that there would be no visa requirements for UK citizens within the EU, regardless of whether there is a Brexit with a deal or not. However there is likely to be a requirement in the future and certainly under a no-deal Brexit, for UK citizens travelling as tourists or on business to the EU, to pay the planned ETIAS electronic visa waiver fee.

Registration Card and Address Card

The critical information for UK citizens who are existing legal residents in Hungary, is that anyone holding a Registration Card and Address Card on Brexit Day (whenever that might occur), will be allowed to continue to hold those documents and use them as proof of legal residence for up to 3 years. Any UK citizen that has held legal residence 3 years or more, they will be allowed to transfer to a national permanent residence permit immediately after Brexit, with preferential terms. This provides lifelong equal treatment for work, residence, social security etc. If a UK citizen that has held legal residence 5 years or more, they will be allowed to transfer to an EU permanent residence permit, which also affords some rights to work in other EU member states.

Permanent residence

The preferential terms under which UK citizens would be able to apply for permanent residence are as follows: The normal requirement for non-EU/EEA citizens to prove that they have held significant savings for at least a year would not be imposed on UK citizens, neither would the requirement to prove that their being awarded permanent residence would be in the best interests of the Hungarian state.

Finally, if a UK citizen can only prove that they have applied for Hungarian residence or started the process of applying but has not yet got the required cards, they will still be allowed to continue to reside as if they had applied before the deadline. The indication here was that flexibility would be given to UK citizens in the event of any issue in the short-term after Brexit day.

Questions & Answers from the participants

Q: How would this offer of permanent residence work in a no-deal scenario?

A: It’s important to hold a registration card or residence card at the time of Brexit. The cards UK citizens hold can be retained for up to 3 years, by which time they should apply for a national settlement permit.

Q: What documentation would a person need if they travel from London to Budapest on 30th March and then return to London on 2nd April [this question was asked before the Brexit extension to 11th April was granted by the EU].

A: There are two scenarios that must be addressed here, if you hold a registration card and re-enter the EU via any border and you will be recognised as an EU resident. If you don’t hold a residence card you can travel to and from Hungary with a passport, as a non-EU tourist.

Q: I hold a valid residence card and address card, do I need to do anything now?:

A: You do not need to do anything, just wait to see what happens with Brexit

Q: My registration card shows a different address to where I currently live. I have changed my address card, do I need to change my registration card too?

A: No, so long as your address card is updated you do not need to modify your registration card.

Q: If Brexit day is delayed, can a UK citizen apply for registration as an EU citizen between 29th March and, for example, the end of June?

A: If Brexit is delayed then UK citizens would continue to be EU citizens and would retain their existing rights to apply for residence as EU citizens.

Q: I have only been resident for 1.5 years. Until I have the 3 years needed, post-Brexit, for permanent residence, what are my intra EU travel rights, post Brexit?

A: The registration card will be registered with all EU borders, so you will be allowed to prove your residence in Hungary with that card.

Q: If the UK finally does not leave the EU, is the deal on permanent residence still on offer?

A: The EU registration card is of itself valid permanently, so EU citizens do not qualify for the national permanent residence permit.

Q: I hold a green ID card, can I travel freely?

A: You will need your passport to travel within the EU but the green ID card combined with passport will allow you to travel, post-Brexit.

Q: EIHC – will this card continue to be valid in the event of a no deal Brexit?

A: According to the law passed by the Hungarian government, these cards will remain in force until 31st Dec 2020. Whether the UK government will then accept the EIHC for a UK citizen resident in Hungary, in the event of a no-deal Brexit, is not yet clear.

Q: I am a UK pensioner and I have a Hungarian social security card, funded by the UK government. Will this status remain in the event of a deal or no-deal Brexit?

A: Either way you will continue to have full access to the Hungarian state healthcare system in the same way that Hungarian pensioners have this right.

More information:

The Hungarian government published a new website about Brexit in English:

Information for British nationals and their family members

UK in Hungary (British Embassy Facebook page)

 

Cartus Commitment to Excellence Gold Award – the ‘Oscars of Global Mobility’

(Chicago – October, 2017) — Inter Relocation’s outstanding performance was honoured at Cartus Corporation’s 2017 Global Network Conference. Cartus Global Network is Cartus’ industry-leading worldwide service provider network. Each year, Cartus recognizes the companies and individuals in the Network who have provided extraordinary service to its customers and clients worldwide.

The Relocation Oscars – Cartus Commitment to Excellence Gold Award

Inter Relocation Receives Cartus Commitment to Excellence Gold Award

Cartus named Inter Relocation winner of the Global Network Commitment to Excellence Gold Award for its exceptional service results. This award recognizes a supplier’s measurable commitment to excellence.

Stars of Global Mobility

Global Network service providers who distinguish themselves by achieving critical performance metrics receive it. Inter Relocation has now won either a gold or platinum award at the Cartus Global Network Conference every year for the past five years. Inter Relocation was also nominated for the prestigious Cartus Masters Cup in 2016.

A proud relocation company owner

Stuart McAlister, Inter Relocation’s owner and Managing Director, collected the award on behalf of his entire team. We asked him how he felt about this latest success:

“I’m extremely proud of how the entire team consistently receives such excellent feedback. The volume of work we do for Cartus has increased significantly over the last few years and to continue to maintain such a high standard of quality across the board is challenging to say the least. We continue to analyse every aspect of our service delivery and take any less than positive feedback on board and learn from it wherever possible. Delivering such a high standard of service over many years involves a re-focusing of our efforts from time to time and we do that specifically to avoid becoming complacent. We very much hope we’ll be back to receive another award in 2018.”

About Inter Relocation

Founded in March 2002 , Inter Relocation is a provider of relocation destination services and immigration compliance in Budapest, Hungary. Established with three full-time members of staff, Inter Relocation has a current staff of 17.

In addition, in 2003 Inter Relocation founded the international side of the company. From humble beginnings with the company offering relocation services in Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Poland. Inter Relocation now boasts franchise group members in 23 countries across Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia, with the Budapest office acting as the group headquarters.

Inter Relocation Sponsors Horse Race, Charity Wins!

Inter Relocation helps The Club Budapest to raise a record sum to support a charity for children. The Norbertine Sisters run the organisation called Children of Zsámbék. The beneficiary of the donation is Children of Zsámbék and the Norbertine Sisters work for that organisation, free of charge.

As noted in our article of 15th November, Inter Relocation’s sponsorship of The Club Budapest’s Horse Racing Event  resulted in a record donation to the Children of Zsámbék charity.

The winnings were used to purchase much-needed kitchen equipment. On Monday (28th November), the Club and Charity members descended upon one of Budapest’s largest home equipment stores. They came away with kitchen machines, food processors, pots and pans, and many other useful items.

The donation was a joyfully received by the Norbertine Sisters’ Kitchen as an early Christmas present.

The Sisters have a challenging time keeping their work supported. Sister Katalin sent her blessings and thanks to all who supported and helped raised the money to buy the saucepans et al….

Above all, Sister Katalin was very kind and spent almost an hour of her valuable time explaining their work in the community and showing the Club members around the workshops and schools which they have built/renovated and maintain.

Inter Relocation Sponsors Horse Race, Charity Wins!

Inter Relocation is proud to be the main sponsor of this charity event to support the Children of Zsámbék. More about Inter Relocations’s charity work: HERE

We always love receiving good news like this especially around Christmastime! :)

Inter Relocation Charity Support Breaks New Record

Inter Relocation charity support efforts reached new heights again this year, contributing to a record-breaking fundraising event that benefits our wider community.

Inter Relocation helps The Club Budapest to raise a record sum to support the Children of Zsámbék. 

We are happy to announce that a record amount of money was raised at last Friday’s Charity Horse Racing Evening. The event was organized by The Club Budapest, and we received the following report from them:

“The Club Budapest’s Fifth Annual Charity Horse Races
In aid of the Children of Zsámbék through the Norbertine Sisters’ work.
November 11, the Clubhouse, Champs, Dohány utca.
Main sponsor: Inter Relocation

127,000 HUF for the Children of Zsámbék!!!

Yes, a Record of Note!

The Club Budapest’s Fifth Charity Horse Racing Evening was an enormous success. Sweeping up the sawdust and horse droppings and discarded betting slips and counting the money from the record attendance took even longer than last year when the previous record of 100,000 HUF was raised!

The race cards and races could be seen from all over the clubhouse area – shown on all the TV screens and on the two big screens—with punters jumping around in joy or slumping despondently on the floor, or both in turn, as they watched their horse come from last to first or go from first to last in the final few strides—betting slips torn up or raced with to “not too” Honest Bob, the Club’s bookie, to collect their winnings and then, generally, straight to the Club’s Top Bookie’s Tout, who strangely placed himself strategically near “not too” Honest Bob, to purchase another betting slip… or two!

More details

The record attendance was sustained by the Chili con carne, served before the racing began, and refreshed during the racing by frequent re-filling of the glasses by Champs attentive staff—who were also able to keep up with the supply of handkerchiefs necessary to dry the tears of joy or disappointment…

So, First, Many Thanks to all who came to support the Children of Zsámbék and bet with such glee and enthusiasm, many even donating their winnings and more at the end of the evening…and Special thanks to The Club’s resident Bookie “not too” Honest Bob, and staff, and resplendent Bookie’s Tout, who all managed the challenges of the electronic (??) tote board, the punters’ cheers and tears, and of course the selling and taking of bets and the (reluctant?) paying out, with aplomb…

The Club will be buying equipment for the Norbertine Sisters’ kitchen training workshop with the money raised!

And finally, thanks to those others who, without them, the evening would not have been so successful – the many Race Sponsors, private and corporate; to friends who couldn’t be there but made donations; and last but by no means least, our Main Sponsor Inter Relocation!”

Inter Relocation is proud to be the main sponsor of this charity event to support the Children of Zsámbék. More about Inter Relocations’s charity work: HERE

Congratulations to the organizers and members; we always love receiving good news like this!

Inter Relocation Group Named to Short List of Recipients for Prestigious Cartus Masters Cup Award

Highest Honor Bestowed by Cartus Global Network will Recognize Winner’s Outstanding Service and Performance

The Inter Relocation Group has been named to the short list of finalists for the Cartus Masters Cup Award at its 2016 Global Network Conference to be held on October 3-4, in Washington, DC at the Omni Shoreham Hotel.

The Cartus Global Network is Cartus’ industry-leading worldwide service provider network. Each year, Cartus recognizes the companies and individuals in the Network that have provided extraordinary service.

Inter Relocation Group has been nominated for the Cartus Masters Cup

The Inter Relocation Group has been nominated for the Cartus Masters Cup in the category of home-related services. Presented annually, only to high achieving Global Network members who have previously received top awards, the Cartus Masters Cup recognizes a service provider that has achieved exceptionally high standards of quality.

Winners must show collaboration in developing cost effective and innovative approaches for Cartus clients, and demonstrate outstanding performance and commitment – not only to Cartus’ vision and values, but also to Cartus’ mission statement: “We come to work every day to help our customers and clients succeed.”

Platinum Commitment to Excellence

The Inter Relocation Group has achieved Cartus’ highest award for customer service, the Platinum Commitment to Excellence award for the last three years.

Moreover, there is an expectation that this achievement will be repeated in 2016. Inter Relocation has also achieved major cost savings for Cartus’ clients over the course of the last 12 months, in line with its goal to demonstrate real value to the clients it serves.

“Cartus’ rigorous criteria and performance standards make nomination for this award an honor in and of itself,” said Stuart McAlister, Managing Director. “We believe in providing the highest levels of service. This nomination underscores that dedication – and also reflects our companies’ common goals.”

Learn who won the award here!

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About Cartus

For more than 60 years, Cartus has provided trusted guidance to organizations that require global relocation solutions. Providing the full spectrum of relocation services, including language and intercultural training, Cartus serves more than half of the Fortune 50 and has moved employees into and out of 185 countries.

Cartus is part of Realogy Holdings Corp. (NYSE: RLGY), a global leader in real estate franchising and provider of real estate brokerage, relocation and settlement services. To find out how our greater experience, reach, and hands-on guidance can help your company, visit www.cartus.com for more information.

About Inter Relocation

Inter Relocation was founded in March 2002. It is a provider of relocation destination services and immigration compliance in Budapest, Hungary. The company was established with three full-time members of staff and has since grown to its current staff of 16.

In addition, in 2003 the international side of the company, called the Inter Relocation Group. From humble beginnings with the company offering relocation services in Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Poland. Inter Relocation now boasts franchise group members in 22 countries across Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The Budapest office acts as the group headquarters.