Earlier this month, Hungary quietly introduced one of the biggest changes to its immigration and employment rules in recent years by suspending applications for new guest worker residence permits. Many employers and foreign workers are still trying to understand what it actually means in practice.
The short answer is that Hungary has not stopped hiring non-EU workers altogether, but the country’s main guest worker scheme has been put on hold while the government reviews the entire system.
What changed?
Since 6 June, third-country nationals can no longer apply for a new guest worker residence permit in Hungary. The change followed a government decision to remove all eligible countries from the official list of states whose citizens could apply for this type of permit. As things currently stand, there is no country whose nationals qualify for a new guest worker residence permit.
At the same time, the government ordered a comprehensive review of the legislation governing the employment of third-country nationals, signalling that further changes to the system are likely.
Does this affect existing guest workers?
No. The new rules do not invalidate permits that were already issued before 6 June. Existing guest workers can continue living and working in Hungary until their permits expire, under the original conditions.
The regulations also allow permits that were valid before the deadline to be extended or reissued where the legal requirements are met. Likewise, applications that were properly submitted and paid for before 6 June will still be processed under the previous rules.
Can companies still hire workers from outside the EU?
Yes, but not through the guest worker permit system. The suspension does not prevent employers from recruiting third-country nationals altogether. Instead, companies must determine whether applicants qualify under one of the other residence permit categories still available under Hungarian law.
The most suitable permit depends on factors such as the applicant’s nationality, qualifications, the type of job, the planned duration of employment and the employer’s circumstances.
What alternatives are available?
For manual or lower-skilled positions, employers may still be able to use employment residence permits or, for certain nationalities, the National Card. Highly qualified professionals, including engineers, IT specialists and other skilled workers, may qualify for an EU Blue Card or a Hungarian Card, both of which offer a more stable residence framework but come with stricter qualification and salary requirements.
Other options remain available for intra-company transfers within multinational groups, seasonal workers and employees involved in certain investment projects, although these schemes apply only in specific circumstances.
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Why does it matter?
For many businesses, the guest worker permit had become the primary legal route for recruiting workers from outside the European Union, particularly in sectors facing labour shortages. With that option now unavailable for new applicants, employers must navigate a more complex system until the government’s review is completed. Therefore, legal experts recommend assessing each recruitment case individually to identify the most appropriate residence permit category.
More changes may be on the way
The National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing has stressed that the suspension applies only to new guest worker residence permits. Other immigration pathways remain in force. However, because the government has ordered a full review of the legal framework for employing third-country nationals, additional legislative changes are expected in the coming months.
Read our previous explainer: Hungary’s guest worker ban takes effect, but foreign workers can still arrive under stricter rules
