Does the Hungarian government let in many Eastern guest workers unchecked with card scheme?

The Hungarian government expanded the National Card scheme programme from 8 July with Russian and Belarusian citizens. The scheme allows them to come to Hungary even with their families, get a job in sectors that are not struggling with labour shortages, and extend their permits multiple times. Finally, they could even get residence status in Hungary. A Russian expert believes the expansion raises lots of national security concerns.

Lots of Eastern guest workers may come with families

According to forbes.hu, the Hungarian government opened the Schengen national security gate for Russians and Belarusians coming with National Cards to work and live in Hungary. Guest workers from eight countries may get a National Card: the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus. Before 8 July, Russia and Belarus were not on the list.

Guest workers in Hungary. Will Russians and Belarusians flood the market? Photo: PrtScr/Youtube

The National Card has multiple advantages. First, there is no limit to the number of guest workers coming with it. Secondly, there are no excluded jobs and the future guest workers do not have to submit certificates that their work is needed in Hungary. When they prolong the permit, they do not have to take a cultural knowledge exam. Finally, those obtaining a National Card can bring their family to Hungary. You may get your National Card for 2 years, but your stay can be extended for three years for unlimited times.

But where will the Russians and Belarusians work?

The simplest answer is the Paks II nuclear power plant extension carried out by Rosatom. András Rácz, a Hungarian Russian expert, said thousands of Russians already live in Hungary and are taking part in the operation of Paks. Hungarian authorities adapted to that.

However, since Rosatom cannot make an EU-conform authorisation plan for the expansion, the nuclear technology phase of the construction will not begin soon. Therefore, it is hard to explain why the Hungarian government would like to let in many Russians and Belarusians now.

Paks II. Will the Russians literally build it? Source: Facebook/Szijjártó Péter

Even if Russians came to help build Paks II, they would not need a National Card, making them eligible for all jobs in Hungary. Russian discount chain Mere is also coming to Hungary, but it is hard to imagine that Russian cashiers will work there.

The new scheme may substitute the Russian ‘spy bank’

The International Investment Bank (IIB) ceased operations in Hungary after US Ambassador David Pressman’s concerns. Forbes wrote that the bank provided background for Russian intelligence, so it was a Trojan horse of the Russian government in Europe. Even so, the Hungarian government granted it exceptional freedom. For example, they were tax-free, and their employees and guests could come and commute unchecked in Hungary.

The American pressure made them leave Hungary, though they still owe billions and a Budapest palace to Hungary. Mr Rácz believes the new expanded National Card scheme allows crowds of Russians and Belarusians to come to Hungary unchecked. As Alexander Graham Bell said, “when one door closes, another door opens”.

Putin and Orbán in July in Moscow. Did they touch on the issue of Russian guest workers? Photo: FB/Orbán

Rácz said the Hungarian authorities were unprepared to check masses of Russian and Belarusian guest workers and their families. “I see serious national security risk in that depending on how many will come”, he highlighted.

Rácz suggested that if Russia wants to send spies with the programme, their activity may not be confined to Hungary, but to any Schengen Zone country. Obtaining a National Card allows you to travel everywhere in the zone.

Of course, there is a chance that the government will modify the rules of obtaining and using the National Card.

Read also:

• Here’s the new list of countries from which guest workers can come to Hungary – read more HERE
• Number of guest workers exceed psychological barrier in Hungary – details in THIS article

Featured image: depositphotos.com