While Hungarian employers have been largely satisfied with Filipino labour, citing workers’ precision, it is precisely from the Philippines that small and medium-sized Hungarian firms will find it hardest to recruit new guest workers. By contrast, according to Tamás Székely, head of the Chemical Workers’ Union, the Tisza government is not making it more difficult for large Chinese automotive and battery manufacturers to bring in Chinese labour in significant numbers. The key, he argues, lies in who relies on agencies and who organises recruitment independently.
A patchy “guest worker stop”
Under a new government decree, Székely says, it will no longer be possible to recruit guest workers via agencies from 6 June. Chinese factories, however, do not depend on intermediaries; instead, they arrange recruitment themselves, enabling them to deploy large numbers of workers to sites in Debrecen, Szeged or Nyíregyháza. He suggests this may also reflect visibility: Chinese workers tend to remain within factory premises, whereas many Filipinos work in public-facing roles, on the streets or in the service sector.
Given that a significant portion of Hungarian society — shaped in part by years of anti-migration campaigning under Viktor Orbán — fears for its jobs, way of life and security, the Tisza government, armed with an unprecedented mandate, appears intent on removing those guest workers who are most visible, while avoiding any disruption to major industrial investments across the country.
One of the government’s most closely watched economic measures has been the restriction of guest worker employment. During the election campaign, it pledged to halt the mass inflow of non-EU labour and prioritise Hungarian workers. Ministers argue that many roles currently filled by foreign workers could be taken by domestic labour reserves. Industry figures and labour market experts dispute this, warning that mobilising the domestic workforce would take considerable time — and even then, employers may not find it an adequate substitute.
No immediate mass departures
Government communications state that from 6 June 2026 the issuance of new work permits will be suspended for a large proportion of non-EU, non-Hungarian nationals. The stated aim is to protect Hungarian jobs, prevent downward pressure on wages, and reintegrate those pushed out of the labour market.
Crucially, the ban does not automatically affect those already holding valid residence and work permits. The vast majority of foreign workers currently employed in Hungary may therefore continue under existing contracts. The restriction applies primarily to new arrivals, rather than triggering any mass repatriation.
This distinction is one reason why many experts считают the term “guest worker stop” somewhat misleading. In practice, it amounts more to cutting off supply than dismantling the existing system — albeit with notable exceptions.
A route still open
Years earlier, amid slowing growth and rising public discontent, the Orbán government had already narrowed the list of countries from which guest workers could be recruited. India, China, Vietnam, South Korea and Mongolia were among those removed, leaving only the Philippines, Georgia and Armenia. From 6 June, however, even these three countries are excluded — at least in terms of obtaining a specific guest worker residence permit.
Other forms of residence permit for employment purposes remain available to non-EEA nationals, meaning that additional Chinese workers can still be brought in for Chinese-owned factories.
It remains unclear how long the suspension on new guest worker residence permits will last; official statements consistently describe the measure as remaining in force “until further notice”.
Have you read this one? Explainer: Hungary’s guest worker ban takes effect, but foreign workers can still arrive under stricter rules
Employers voice concern
Many employers are watching developments with unease. Labour agencies and business groups warn that in several sectors there is simply insufficient Hungarian labour to replace departing foreign workers. Companies point in particular to potential shortages in the automotive and battery industries, logistics, construction and parts of manufacturing.
Professional bodies caution that, without a proper transition period, the policy could disrupt production and even cost Hungarian jobs if investments are delayed or scaled back.
Others, however, argue that large numbers of guest workers can indeed suppress wage growth and weaken employers’ incentives to train Hungarian staff or offer higher pay to draw them back into the workforce.
Hungary reviews political asylum granted under Orbán: foreign politicians could lose refugee status
Magyar: Irregular migrants to remain outside Hungary under Tisza government
Irregular migrants will not gain entry to Hungary under the Tisza government, the prime minister said on Facebook on Sunday, adding: “Whoever says differently is lying and misguiding their own voters.” Péter Magyar commented on the opposition Fidesz’s calls on the government to commit to rejecting implementation of the European Union’s Migration Pact, which is set to come into force on Friday.
