Government crackdown on guest workers puts Hungarian jobs at risk
In a paradoxical twist, many Hungarians could soon find themselves out of work: not due to an influx of foreign labour, but because government restrictions are making it increasingly difficult and costly to hire guest workers. Business owners warn that without enough staff, they may be forced to shut down operations entirely, potentially driving up unemployment in Hungary.
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Without guest workers, Hungarians would also lose their jobs
Telex published a detailed report outlining the growing difficulties small and medium-sized enterprises in Hungary face in hiring guest workers and maintaining previous levels of production. They spoke with agricultural entrepreneurs, waste management executives, and managers in the food and timber industries, all of whom agreed that recent government restrictions have made it more difficult and more expensive to bring in foreign labour.
We previously reported that renowned restaurateur Master Wang may be forced to close several of his establishments because he can no longer attract the highly skilled chefs required to maintain authentic Chinese cuisine. The crux of the issue is that there’s no agreement between China and Hungary that would allow Chinese guest workers to be deported, nor is there any designated agency to manage such procedures. While it’s hard to imagine enforcing such measures on master chefs, current Hungarian laws don’t allow for exemptions, leaving Wang (Wang Qiang) with no choice but to shutter some locations.
- The popular restaurant chain owner may have to close multiple locations
Practically only Filipinos can enter
Wang’s situation is unique, but many business owners are in similar straits. Just before Christmas last year, the government passed a regulation allowing only 35,000 guest workers into the country in 2025. These workers must also come from non-EU countries that either have repatriation agreements with Hungary or have an approved agency willing to take responsibility for returning workers who violate the rules.
Reportedly, this measure was enacted because the government foresaw a potential economic contraction and rising unemployment, which could fuel public dissatisfaction ahead of upcoming elections. In previous years, especially after 2010, the government enjoyed a boost in popularity due to a tight labour market, where workers could easily find better jobs if treated unfairly. Some analysts believe this environment, along with anti-migration sentiment, helped deliver the 2018 supermajority victory.
Currently, aside from a few exceptions like Georgia and Armenia (from which few people are applying), only workers from the Philippines are effectively allowed. The Philippines partially relies on exporting labour—mainly to the Gulf States and Asia—with remittances making up nearly 10% of its GDP. However, it requires employers to commit to employing workers for at least two years at a single location.
- Filipino mother faced deportation until a court saved the family
Many Hungarian businesses could collapse
This two-year mandate poses challenges for many small- and mid-sized Hungarian companies, which often seek seasonal rather than permanent workers due to market fluctuations. According to Hungary’s Central Statistical Office, the employment of non-EU foreign workers is on the rise. In July of last year, 78,900 such workers were employed in Hungary; by this June, the figure rose to 83,300—a jump of 4,400.
If a company fails to meet the two-year employment requirement, it must pay the remaining wages as a penalty.
- Filipino guest workers: The future of the Hungarian labour market?
According to Hungarian SMEs, the skilled domestic workforce is largely employed in Western Europe, and they can’t find reliable local replacements for vacant positions. Either the candidates lack the necessary skills or are unreliable. Larger corporations haven’t reported such issues. For instance, according to Telex, the Chinese-owned CATL and Germany’s BMW are aggressively hiring in the Debrecen area—leaving smaller firms unable to compete.
This trend carries serious risks, as the downfall of even a single small business can leave entire Hungarian families facing financial despair.
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Its time to Accept that the pro family programss are not working. Hungarian population will stall below 5 millions before the end of the century. You dont want massive migration? Fine, you will be doomed economically speaking. You can not have everything. But i want to hear the government blaming EU for the demographic decline as well. Like if putting a gun on women head and forcing them to have babies would be a solution.
Until the standard of living is materially improved and the relative gap in living standards between Hungary and the western European average is narrowed, the country will continue to experience an exodus of mainly young, educated and/or skilled workers. Seeking to increase the birthrate is commendable but is only one piece of the jigsaw as the chance is high as things currently stand that these additional Hungarian youngsters will go on to emigrate in the future with Hungary bearing the costs of family support and schooling while third countries derive the economic benefit of employing them. Raising living standards for all would result in both a natural tendency for couples to have more children as well as a lower prospect of them emigrating in the future.
Don’t be ridiculous, Steve.
People not having kids has nothing to do with the economy. The parents and grandparents of Hungarians in their 20s and 30s lived were MUCH worse off but they never even thought of not having children. In fact, we see this phenomenon all over the world: The better that people live, the fewer children they tend to have.
The reason are people’s messed-up priorities and a warped sense of personal satisfaction and the meaning of life. So long as young people continue thinking that happiness means taking a million pictures of their travels with the fourth “latest” phone they bought just this year, and that they should forever stay in their teens, they will not take on the responsibility and (joyous) burden of having children.
Having children has everything to do with money for responsible people. I had numerous opportunities in the past to start a family, I declined as I felt I couldn’t fund the financial burden it would impose, principally concerning the cost of housing. This burden has since become even heavier across the developed world. If I was 20 years younger and living in Hungary, current levels of financial support might encourage me it was just about doable but neither apply to me. This boat has sailed as far as I’m concerned.
The issue isn’t about mass immigration, but about finding a balanced approach that meets Hungary’s demographic and labor needs without compromising national identity or social stability. A sustainable solution lies in carefully managed immigration, focused on skilled, culturally compatible workers to fill labor gaps, while strengthening pro-family policies, supporting work-life balance, and investing in education and workforce development for long-term sustainability.
Mass immigration, if left unchecked, risks overwhelming both the host society and the immigrants, creating social strain and economic instability.
The key is compromise, where immigration complements domestic policies and ensures integration, not disruption.
Given the overwhelming challenges faced by other EU countries due to poorly managed immigration, Hungary should learn from those mistakes and avoid repeating them. It is crucial that Hungary retains the autonomy to make decisions that best suit its needs, without being pressured by external forces or the EU to adopt policies that might not be in the country’s best interest.
It requires careful planning, forward-thinking policies, and a long-term commitment to both domestic and international challenges. But with a measured approach, Hungary can create a sustainable future without repeating the mistakes others have made. It’s a delicate balance, but with the right framework, I guess it is possible.
Rather than simply trusting in promises from politicians, the approach should be more about empowering the people to demand concrete actions and clear mandates for change. Politicians are there to represent the public, but without proper checks and accountability, promises can often be forgotten or diluted over time.
It’s not just about giving politicians power, but about creating a system where citizens and civil society play an active role in monitoring, challenging, and guiding the direction of those policies.
But if people are ready for that change. Get involved instead of just voting and complaining afterward, I do not know. I fear for a status quo though.
Well, if they do lose their jobs, they can perhaps start considering doing the work the “guest workers” used to. I find it both incredible and infuriating that young Hungarians seem to think it’s beneath them to work on factory assembly lines or ride bicycles delivering food from restaurants to residences and offices.
Hungarians left food delivery jobs for you Steiner and your children
OH, OPPS if you have one!.
It’s beneath them because they have a better offer. In a very tight labour market they don’t have to accept the lowest bidder, not to mention that anyone with a Hungarian passport can up sticks and ‘go west’.