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Gov’t Shuts Down Foreign Guest‑Worker Permit System in Hungary

• 9 Jun 2026 12:12 PM
• Budapest Business Journal

The government has terminated the existing guest‑worker residence‑permit system with immediate effect, closing the channel through which labor‑leasing companies previously brought large numbers of foreign workers into the country.

The new decree removes the earlier country list by no longer designating any third country whose citizens may work in Hungary under a guest‑worker permit.

The change is intended to curb the “mass influx” of guest workers and to protect Hungarian employees, noting that foreign workers often enter the labor market with lower wage expectations.

However, the employment‑purpose residence permit remains available for citizens of three countries (the Philippines, Armenia, and Georgia), provided they meet all legal requirements. Existing permits are unaffected.

Workers already in Hungary may remain until their permits expire, and renewals or ongoing applications submitted by June 5 will continue to be evaluated under the previous rules.
 
The combined number of guest‑worker and employment‑purpose permits had been capped at 35,000 for both 2025 and 2026, though this limit did not apply to other categories such as the National Card, Hungarian Card, or EU Blue Card.

The government says this decree is only the first step in a broader overhaul of all foreign‑employment regulations, with a new legal framework expected later.

Photo: Pixabay

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Budapest Business Journal

Hungary's largest and oldest source of business and financial news in English. Since 1992 it has presented essential information on Hungarian business life, including international analyses about the country. These days the BBJ newspaper is published every other week, while it releases daily business news online including premium paid content.

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