Uncovering foreign presence: Regulations and statistical insights on immigration in Hungary

Immigration, in its myriad forms, often takes a backseat amidst the glare of illegal migration, propelled by political agendas. However, the complexity of immigration is often oversimplified, both by the public and politicians. A deep dive into the factual data on foreign immigration, as provided by the Ministry of the Interior and Eurostat, offers a nuanced understanding of the true numbers underpinning this multifaceted issue.

Legal migration receives scant media coverage in contemporary discourse, given its complexity and lack of sensationalism compared to illegal migration, making it less conducive to campaigning or publicising. However, the European Union aims to ease legal constraints on migration for two primary reasons. Firstly, there is a growing need for labour that countries struggle to meet, prompting them to recruit immigrants. Secondly, European societies are experiencing rapid ageing alongside declining birth rates, compelling measures to address shifting demographics, as reported by Portfolio.

Navigating regulations

Under EU law, immigrants are defined as third-country nationals relocating to an EU Member State not due to persecution but possessing permits for entry and residence. Member States retain the authority to influence this regulation independently, determining quotas for third-country nationals admitted for employment, education or family reunification purposes. It’s crucial to distinguish this right from the right to asylum; while the latter is deemed a fundamental human right, the former remains the subjective choice of Member States. Notably, EU law supersedes national legislation, regulating both internal EU movement and immigration from non-EU countries. Additionally, origin holds significance; third-country nationals fall under immigration policies, while EU Member State citizens are subject to provisions concerning the free movement of persons. Upholding the principle of free movement of workers, the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union explicitly prohibits discrimination based on nationality among workers from Member States regarding employment, wages and other work-related conditions. Moreover, there’s the EU Blue Card, implemented over fifteen years ago, offering non-EU citizens an opportunity to reside and work within the EU with their families. To qualify, applicants must undergo a rigorous assessment and hold a degree or possess professional experience equivalent to higher education, along with a job offer meeting specified minimum salary thresholds. In Hungary, regulations stipulate that third-country nationals must obtain visas unless they are nationals of countries eligible for visa waivers. Visas or visa-free entry allow a maximum stay of 90 days, beyond which individuals require permits. Regarding the admission of guest workers to Hungary, the official stance is that only vacancies will determine the number admitted.

Immigration in figures

In 2022, the European Union reported a total of 37.7 million registered immigrants, encompassing both internal EU movement and arrivals from third countries, constituting 8.5% of the EU’s overall population. Specific to Hungary, data from 2021 reveals that 333,000 foreigners aged between 15 and 50 possessed residence permits, including 223,000 individuals from neighbouring countries, with the majority (169,000) holding Hungarian citizenship. The spatial distribution of foreign nationals of working age is notably concentrated, with nearly half residing in Budapest (47,000), followed by Pest and Győr-Moson-Sopron counties (8,000 each), while the remaining counties average around 2,000 immigrants per county. Békés, Tolna and Nógrád counties recorded the lowest numbers, with none surpassing 800 immigrants.