FAQs

Below, we try to provide straightforward explanations to questions that often come up in discussions with our clients. Please browse through these FAQ, and if you don't find what you are looking for, feel free to contact us and ask. We always welcome feedback on our website and on our work in general.

What does HELPERS do? How are the different services of HELPERS related?

Helpers is made up of three different departments. Helpers Expat Services is specialized in everyday problems facing foreigners, as well as all the paperwork you might come across when living or doing business in Hungary. The name Helpers Language Services speaks for itself - this branch does interpretation, translation and proofreading, in addition to various innovative language-related work. Helpers Business Services specializes in providing business launch and support services to small and medium-size businesses.

Can I combine the different services of HELPERS?

Of course! If you decide to use the services of more than one department, we can offer you special discounts. Another advantage of combining our services is that we (actually, the account manager assigned especially to you) will become your single point of contact - saving you not only money but also time. We guarantee the same excellent level of quality across all our services, and many areas of our activity overlap - makes sense, doesn't it?

Why are you called HELPERS?

The first service offered by our company back in 2004 was the personal assistance service we still provide for expats in Hungary, so the name reflected this. By now, we have developed a much more comprehensive service offering but since many of our clients are attached to the brand and equate it with tailored, professional, practical service, we have kept the name.

Is there a point in contacting you in advance, even before I'm ready to start my project?

If you are moving to Hungary or starting a business here, you might like to have certain things arranged before you even get started. Especially if you are looking to purchase property in Budapest or in the Hungarian countryside, to start a business venture, or to relocate with family, planning ahead is of the essence, and can save you stress and costly detours.

If I work for a corporation or have a foreign colleague, can our employer order relocation services from you?

Companies often need to get documentation for their foreign employees or for the company itself. Papereater will happily devour your company's paperwork, or refer your organization to a highly qualified, English-speaking specialist (lawyer, accountant). So, contact us and we'll get in touch with your HR Department.

I heard that Hungarian company incorporation is really fast, is this true?

Yes. Helpers offers full-service assistance with setting up a new company in Hungary. Despite recent changes affecting the incorporation process (please click here to read about these) Hungarian company setup is one of the fastest in the European Union - from the signing of the registration documents, it takes no more than about one week, including VAT registration.

I would like to have a virtual office in Budapest, do you offer that service?

Yes. We can provide a full range of Budapest-based virtual office services including a simple registered office or complex back office services and secretarial help. Please look under Business Services > Company set-up or Business support for details.

I need to do market research in a number of Eastern European countries. Do you work outside Hungary?

Yes, we do. We can do research in a number of countries in the region. We are primarily active in Slovakia, Romania, Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia and other CEE markets, but we also routinely work with partners in more remote locations. We offer special discounts for regional orders, so consult us about the options.

How to get a quote for translation cost?

Translation fees are based on the languages involved, the target document's character count, the complexity of the subject matter, the document format, the deadline, etc. It is also important to discuss with the project coordinator whether bilingual or monolingual proofreading will be required. Furthermore, texts that contain a large amount of repetition can be significantly cheaper to translate.
To obtain an exact quote for your translation project, please send us your document.

How much does interpreting cost?

It depends on your requirements. At times (e.g. when signing an important document in front of a notary or the authorities) you may be required to come with a certified interpreter. Other times you might need someone who is specialized in a certain area of expertise. Alternatively, you may just wish to have someone accompany you to assist with shopping or running errands. Since these tasks require very different levels of expertise, they are also priced differently, from EUR 40 to 80+VAT/hour.

Why is proofreading important?

Translation jobs do not end when the translators are finished. Experienced native speakers of the target language immediately start checking whether the style and tone of the translation are appropriate, subject-matter experts scan the document once again to make sure technical terms are used correctly, and an additional translator is invited to double-check that there is no mistake in names and figures throughout the document.

How does translation support software help improve quality?

First and foremost, by providing a working environment in which the translators can communicate with each other effectively and work together on finding the best answers to specific terminological and stylistic questions. Also, by serving as a sort of 'warehouse' where the best results of our translators' efforts can be stored, maintained, and accessed easily and effectively. The result is a translation memory and a term base that are constantly updated and edited to serve the specific needs of our clients.

What payment methods are possible, especially from abroad?

We can accept payment via bank transfer or cash at the time of delivery. After our job is done, we invoice our services to individuals or companies on a VAT-invoice under the title "language services," "administration" or "consulting". Although our prices are set in euros, Hungarian companies can be charged in HUF at the current exchange rate. Foreign companies receive an English-language invoice, and can pay in whatever currency they wish.



How can I arrange a consultation with you?

Since we work for your convenience, we are more than happy to come to wherever you are for a free consultation. Alternatively, you are welcome to visit our office (located conveniently in the central part of the 9th district, at Ráday u. 8) - we do ask, however, that you make an appointment via email or phone to make sure one of us is available to focus on you exclusively. For clients who are not based in Hungary, we can arrange a phone or skype meeting.