[2] It was long thought to be a subspecies of the southern birch mouse (S. subtilis), but a 2016 study found sufficient genetic and anatomical divergence for it to be considered its own species.

[3][4] The Hungarian birch mouse was formerly found throughout the Pannonian Basin, including most of Hungary, Austria, Slovakia, and Serbia.

Based on records, it was likely abundant in Hungary prior to 1950, but it is now restricted to the Borsodi Mezőség Protected Landscape Area.

The Hungarian subspecies is most abundant in remnant patches of tall vegetation such as thistle in pastures that are otherwise grazed by livestock.

[5] The Hungarian subspecies has been extirpated from most of its range due to mechanized agriculture allowing for larger areas to be mowed at once, which reduces the diversity of plant species and makes the habitat unsuitable for the birch mice.