Hungary’s 2026 guest worker quota set – and many may be disappointed

In 2024, the economic crisis visibly began to ripple through Hungary’s economy, hitting hardest those industries that relied on foreign guest workers due to the lack of local labour. The repercussions followed swiftly: Hungary’s government was the first that year to introduce legislation limiting the number of guest workers arriving from third countries. In 2025, this quota was reduced further, and recently the numbers for 2026 were announced. According to these figures, a substantial number of foreign workers can still legally come to work in Hungary.

Slowing growth, fewer foreigners

Hungary’s economy experienced strong growth right up until the coronavirus pandemic hit in 2020. COVID-19 initially devastated that year’s economy, but 2021 saw an unprecedented surge in growth, allowing the government to claim that Hungary was outpacing its regional and European rivals. However, since 2022, domestic growth has stalled or become negligible. By 2024, the government had capped the number of legally permitted foreign workers from third countries.

Experts say rising tensions between those threatened by growing unemployment and the employers of guest workers prompted this move.

Government decides on 2026 guest worker quota

In 2024, the maximum number of third-country foreign workers allowed was set at 65,000—those who are not citizens of the EU, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, or Iceland. By 2025, this limit was cut to 35,000, signalling that economic troubles had not abated but worsened.

In early December, the government, through the Minister for National Economy, confirmed the figure for 2026. The official announcement states that the theoretical maximum remains 35,000 for 2026; no more than this number may legally work in the country next year.

The statement also emphasises that Hungary has one of the strictest guest-worker regulatory regimes:

• Hungarian labour always takes priority;
• foreign guest workers are only permitted if Hungarian manpower cannot fill the vacancy;
• foreign stays in Hungary are always for a specific purpose, require a permit, and are time-limited;
• among the Visegrád countries, Hungary has the lowest share (2.6%) of third-country foreign workers.

The message is clear: Hungary belongs to Hungarians, and the country will neither become a guest-worker haven nor a migrant destination.

Guest workers face slim chances of staying permanently

The government rigorously enforces this policy. Most third-country guest workers may work in Hungary for up to three years and have virtually no chance of obtaining a national residence card (permanent residency), let alone citizenship. The essence of the system—aligned with government messaging—is that guest workers come to fill positions lacking suitable Hungarian workers (such as many in the dairy industry), then return home without acquiring any special rights and without creating permanent state obligations towards them.

Occasionally, this policy faces challenges—such as when a guest worker marries during their stay and has children—because the system is not designed for such cases. Detailed accounts have emerged, for example, concerning a Filipina woman’s experience in this regard.

• Hardships continue: Filipina guest worker Rena faces deportation despite Hungarian husband and newborn child

The other theoretical exception applies to highly skilled workers or intra-company transfers, where the rules are more flexible.

Fewer foreign workers arriving

In September, reports estimated that there were about 100,000 guest workers in Hungary—a significant drop from the 120,000 to 130,000 recorded in previous years. József Nógrádi, Commercial Director at Trenkwalder, estimates that around 255,000 foreigners live in Hungary under 24 different legal statuses, including tens of thousands of students.

According to Nógrádi, approximately 500 job categories in Hungary are off-limits to foreign workers, such as electricians, accountants, and maths teachers.

• Pakistani husband of Hungarian woman denied return visa after being sent home to apply

Only select countries qualify

Those allowed entry with the National Card—originally aimed at Hungarians living abroad—come from eight countries: Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Republic of North Macedonia, the Republic of Belarus, Moldova, Montenegro, the Russian Federation, Serbia, and Ukraine.

A general guest-worker residence permit may be issued to citizens of ten countries: the Philippines, the Republic of Indonesia, the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mongolia, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the Federative Republic of Brazil, Georgia, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, and the Republic of Colombia.

• Tens of thousands could flood the Hungarian labour market: will guest workers be sent home?

Citizens of the EEA states mentioned above (the EU plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein) have the freedom to work in Hungary without restrictions.

PM Orbán: 65,000 vacancies exist in Hungary

Prime Minister Orbán Viktor noted during the signing of next year’s wage agreement that there are currently 65,000 unfilled jobs in Hungary. He added that 35,000 permits for third-country workers will be issued next year. Still, this leaves 20,000–30,000 vacancies where the government will not allow foreign guest workers for now.

“We hope that Hungary itself can fill these remaining 30,000 positions, so we anticipate further growth in employment,” he said.

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Featured image: depositphotos.com