Breaking news: Hungarian Government drastically tightens guest worker rules from 2025!
From the 1st of January 2025, the Hungarian government will introduce significant changes to the Migrant Workers Act, resulting in stricter rules for workers from non-EU countries. The changes are designed to ensure that guest workers can return to their home countries and to limit the scope of workers’ countries of origin.
According to the amendment, it is no longer sufficient for the country of origin of the guest workers to simply promise to take them back. The government is demanding a stronger guarantee that workers will actually leave Hungary when their permits expire.
As Telex reported, the list of countries of origin has also been substantially revised. While the list previously included countries such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia and Mongolia, the new rules mean that only two countries, Georgia and Armenia, are now eligible to send guest workers to Hungary. This effectively invalidates the previous list and narrows the possibilities for workers to come.
Maximum framework for guest workers from 2025
According to an official statement by the Hungarian Ministry of National Economy, the number of residence permits that can be issued will also be determined from 2025. This number will be capped at 35,000 per year, including both guest workers and residence permits for employment purposes. This move is intended to keep the number of guest workers under control and to adapt it to economic needs.
Government statements and industry reactions
At his end-of-year press conference, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán made it clear that the changes were not unexpected. He stressed that countries that have not undertaken to take back guest workers cannot expect Hungary to accept their workers from the 1st of January 2025. “Ten countries immediately fell off the list, maybe more,” Orbán stated, adding that the countries concerned had been informed in advance. The Prime Minister said that the tightening was in the country’s interest and there was no question of introducing it.
However, the government’s decision was not preceded by a broad consultation of businesses directly involved in the employment of guest workers. News of the tightening therefore came as a surprise to the business community. There had already been talk of the Hungarian government imposing an almost total ban on the employment of non-EU workers in Hungary, but there had been no meaningful consultation on the impact this might have on the economy and the businesses involved.
The importance of these changes
There are several reasons behind stricter regulation. On the one hand, the government is concerned with the protection and stability of the country’s labour market, and on the other hand, it is also focusing on social inclusion issues. Countries that do not ensure the readmission of guest workers will not be allowed to send workers to Hungary in the future, which clearly reflects a tightening of migration policy.
The new guest worker law introduces sweeping changes that severely restrict the countries of origin of workers, cap the number of permits that can be issued and ensure the return of workers to their home countries. While the decision is driven by strategic objectives, the changes may pose unexpected and significant challenges for operators and companies. How the government manages the feedback from economic operators and the labour market will be important in the coming period.
Read also:
- Orbán government changes from January, one ministry will cease to exist
- Planned guest worker ban linked to Hungarian government’s fears of rising unemployment?
Featured image: depositphotos.com
Very good news but, as I stated at other times, it is wrong to lump the likes of Filipinos and Vietnamese with Indians and Pakistanis. The former’s values, conduct, practices (including personal hygiene), ability and willingness to integrate etc. are a world away from the latter’s.
At the same time, it is wrong to deprive other countries of skilled laborers and other productive workers. We need to ask why Hungarians are not employed in the professions that supposedly require these “guest workers,” and address the root of that problem.
The only thing that stinks here is your comment. It reeks of prejudice and racist tropes. How many people from these countries do you personally know? I will bet my hard earned money, none.
i think this big change is much deeper than the statement of “guest workers not returning to their country of origin” when did the previous rules started? no longer than a year ago. it is weird that suddenly the government says that these people is not returning. i believe that the root cause might be related to the new Chinese plants to be either more automated or jeopardising the work force needed. in any case, it will be required to monitor the amount of unfilled vacancies. this might mean less money gotten by government and with the poor economy seen this year, it might affect it even more in the long run
Orban – his Fidesz Government – on the subject of migration / immigration, the subject of this article, the Orban – Fidesz Government, have introduced “into law” policies, that , under a “supposed” Democracy – are SHAMEFULLY – discriminatorily WRONG.
People, living NOW – in thousands in number, that have called Hungary, there “home” – there place of Residency, residing in Hungary, under a Residency Permit Status, renewable every (2) two years, by application lodgement submission process, to the Hungarian Immigration Department, but are from none European Union countrys , but there passports are PRESENTED , indicating , that there country of birth is a DEMOCRACY.
Th Orban – Fidesz Government of Hungary – in particular – have Cloed the Door –
on RETIREES – self funded retirees with PRIVATE Medical Coverage – to either, after YEARS – remain to live, under a Residency Permit Status, and NEW applicants, from the same background outlined in this commentary – born in, the holders of passports – from countrys of DEMOCRACY – non European Union countrys, we are being TOLD – by
the Hungarian Immigration Department – to GO, and in the case of new applicants, being notified rejected, for not meeting the criteria requirements in seeking, applying for Residency in Hungary.
If I may “Self Indulge”.
We fall under having lived, called Budapest – District V – our HOME, our place of Residency, living under status of a Residency Permit, speaking nor writing NO Hungarian – but being Self Funded Retirees – with our OWN Private Medical Coverage – for the last (7) seven years – we are being ADVISED by our Hungarian Immigration “Specialist” accredited LAWYER – come June 2025 – date of our application, under Residency Status – we will be REJECTED – to stay in Hungary.
WHO is GOING to ” Carry the TORCH” for us, be the TORCHBEARERS – for thousands of same, or likened backgrounds those of US – living or residing in Hungary, those who WISH come and RESIDE in Hungary – from countrys of birth that are DEMOCRACYS but non European Union – who is GOING to be the TORCH “carrier” ?
It has STRONG grounds to be EXPLODED to Brussels, the European Union, and ALL Global countrys that are GOVERNED under DEMOCRACY.
In one category of LAW – argument is STRONG – that what the Orban – Fidesz Government, have passed “into law” under usage of Rule by Decree – the CHANGES they
have INTRODUCED to the Hungarian Immigration / Migration Act are – DISCRIMINATORY.
Orban – his Fidesz Government – on the subject of migration / immigration, the subject of this article, the Orban – Fidesz Government, have introduced “into law” policies, that , under a “supposed” Democracy – are SHAMEFULLY – discriminatorily WRONG.
People, living NOW – in thousands in number, that have called Hungary, there “home” – there place of Residency, residing in Hungary, under a Residency Permit Status, renewable every (2) two years, by application lodgement submission process, to the Hungarian Immigration Department, but are from none European Union countrys , but there passports are PRESENTED , indicating , that there country of birth is a DEMOCRACY.
Th Orban – Fidesz Government of Hungary – in particular – have Cloed the Door –
on RETIREES – self funded retirees with PRIVATE Medical Coverage – to either, after YEARS – remain to live, under a Residency Permit Status, and NEW applicants, from the same background outlined in this commentary – born in, the holders of passports – from countrys of DEMOCRACY – non European Union countrys, we are being TOLD – by
the Hungarian Immigration Department – to GO, and in the case of new applicants, being notified rejected, for not meeting the criteria requirements in seeking, applying for Residency in Hungary.
If I may “Self Indulge”.
We fall under having lived, called Budapest – District V – our HOME, our place of Residency, living under status of a Residency Permit, speaking nor writing NO Hungarian – but being Self Funded Retirees – with our OWN Private Medical Coverage – for the last (7) seven years – we are being ADVISED by our Hungarian Immigration “Specialist” accredited LAWYER – come June 2025 – date of our application, under Residency Status – we will be REJECTED – to stay in Hungary.
WHO is GOING to ” Carry the TORCH” for us, be the TORCHBEARERS – for thousands of same, or likened backgrounds those of US – living or residing in Hungary, those who WISH come and RESIDE in Hungary – from countrys of birth that are DEMOCRACYS but non European Union – who is GOING to be the TORCH “carrier” ?
It has STRONG grounds to be EXPLODED to Brussels, the European Union, and ALL Global countrys that are GOVERNED under DEMOCRACY.
In one category of LAW – argument is STRONG – that what the Orban – Fidesz Government, have passed “into law” under usage of Rule by Decree – the CHANGES they
have INTRODUCED to the Hungarian Immigration / Migration Act are – DISCRIMINATORY.
Michael, integration is (supposedly) a non-issue on the basis these visas are issued on a 2+1 year basis, after which the workers must return home. You ask again why Hungarians are not employed in certain sectors, let me illustrate with a simple example. If there are 90 apples in a shop and 100 buyers, 10 customers will leave without being able to buy an apple. If the apples are expensive due to a general apple shortage, the bottom 10% of of buyers won’t be able to afford them anyway. The apples are the Hungarian workers, the shoppers are the employers. Workers naturally move to jobs where they can earn the most money, while unskilled, low paid positions like food delivery understandably don’t interest them as long as they can command higher wages in better jobs with guaranteed hours, holiday pay and sick pay. In the absence of enough Hungarian apples to go round, ironically the solution is to import lower priced apples from abroad, or accept that some people won’t be able to buy them.
Concur – “Tisza Party – be the Torchbearers and Carry it to Brussels”.
Rightly, this Guest Worker somewhat a “reversal” in major form from the original Orban – Fidesz Policies, then what the commentator, calling for “Torchbearers” brings correctly into this “Mass” alteration platform, that the Orban – Fidesz Government, have effected, put “into Law” – under Migration and Immigration – Guest Workers in Hungary.
Resident Permit Holders – DON’T – have a VOTE at National Elections.
It is NOT permitted under the status of a Residency Permit .
Its the FEAR of Orban his Fidesz Government, in what “Tisza Party – be the Torchbearers and Carry it to Brussels” through the word DEMOCRACY the likes in thousands living in Hungary, under Residency Permit status, the FEAR of Orban, even though they can’t VOTE at National Elections, his FEAR – of there PASSPORTS not from European Union Member countrys, but from countrys GOVERNED under DEMOCRACY – his FEAR of what IMPACT excluding no right to Vote, his FEAR or influences they MAY have on his Political AGENDA .
Its PREPOS TEROUS – what is HAPPENING to Immigration / Migration – Guest Workers status, by the Orban – Fidesz Government, and BELIEVE – under Immigration / Migration – the matter / subject, should be, or NEEDS to be ELEVATED exposed to the European Union, Great Britain & Northern Ireland, the United States of America and ALL Global countrys, that are GOVERNED by DEMOCRACY.
Is there any issue for people who completed their visa submission in November and are waiting for visa approval in January?
Is there any issue for people who completed their visa submission in November and are waiting for visa approval in January first week?
Is there any issue for people who completed their visa submission in November and are waiting for visa approval in January first week?
What’s the difference between guest worker and permanent worker ? Is this rules applicable to those people who have permanent work permit ?? Is there any restriction for Bangladeshi citizen to go Hungary with permanent work permit under this rules ???
I regret coming here for studies.
I’m not surprised with the bickering going on between Budapest and Brussels