Hungary’s new immigration policy brings stricter conditions for non-EU long-term residents, and affected groups, especially those who have lived in Hungary for over five years or are elderly, express growing uncertainty and concern. As of September 2025, there are no finalised plans to grandfather these residents or provide exemptions for the elderly and long-term residents, causing anxiety about their future status and rights.
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Policy changes affecting non-EU residents
Hungary’s sweeping immigration reforms, which began implementation in 2024 and have been further tightened in 2025, now require third-country nationals (non-EU/EEA citizens) to meet much more rigid criteria for both initial residency and renewal. The flexible permit categories previously available have been removed, replaced by narrower categories that prioritise national labour needs.
Guest work permits can be extended only up to three years and do not confer permanent residency, family reunification, or long-term stability. Some groups, such as highly-skilled workers in IT or engineering, have access to special exemptions and pathways, but these do not apply broadly to retirees or those who have simply lived in Hungary for many years.
Response from long-term non-EU residents
The reforms have left many long-term non-EU residents feeling vulnerable. Individuals who have built lives, families, and businesses over more than five years in Hungary now face possible loss of legal status when their existing permits expire.
Community groups and advocacy organisations have called attention to the risk of losing experienced professionals, cultural contributors, and elderly retirees who have integrated into Hungarian society but do not fall into the new government-preferred categories. Critics argue these changes could undermine social cohesion and Hungary’s international reputation.
Government plans for grandfathering or exemptions
Despite mounting requests for exemptions or grandfather clauses, particularly for residents over 65 or those who have lived in Hungary long-term, there is no public evidence of concrete plans from the Hungarian government to amend the policy. Extension deadlines for residency during policy transition periods were offered in early 2024, but these grace periods have ended.
Policy experts suggest Hungary is prioritising the nationalisation of its labour force over more generous integration or protection of existing non-EU residents.
Affected residents’ concerns and hopes
Many non-EU residents hope for further modification to acknowledge those who have contributed to Hungarian society, especially elderly individuals and families who face difficult relocation if their status is revoked. Community leaders stress that uncertainty is causing anxiety: some worry about access to healthcare, housing, and being forced to leave the country they consider home.
Sources, more info: Inter Relocation Group, European Commission (1), European Commission (2), Fragomen, Etias, DigitalNomad.gr, Daily News Hungary
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Thank you for this article. There a number of folks who own property here that will be in a big problem if they are only allowed to visit property they have owned for a number of years. That means for 90 out of every 180 days they will be forced to leave the European Union Shengen Zone. In effect unless they own property elsewhere they could be homeless or have to coach surf somewhere else in another country elsewhere. Air Fare is not cheap, taking your pets via air or making arrangements for those pets could be expensive. I have read that the Government wants to ensure that non E.U residents are invested in staying here. I hope they will consider that a good number of us have heavily invested in property here and at least in my case and likely a good number of other cases we spend almost all our retirement income on the local Hungarian economy. Not allowing us to remain will have an impact on VAT tax revenue and upon the merchants that we support in our local area. I love it here and do desire to stay. I understand that the government does not want us taking jobs away from the Hungarian working people. I understand that they do not want this country to be overrun with foreigners. However we are here and those of us we contribute to our local area should be allowed to remain as long as we obey the laws and make no negative impact upon the country. I do hope there will be a change to these rules to allow long term resident non E.U foreigners to remain.
“I understand that the government does not want us taking jobs away from the Hungarian working people.”
I don’t see what their problem is, foreigners are, mostly, doing the jobs that Hungarians either won’t do or there is nobody to fill the postition because equally qualified staff have left to work in Austria/Germany/UK/anywhere but Hungary. Nobody is stealing Hungarian jobs, they are simply filling a void.
“I understand that they do not want this country to be overrun with foreigners.”
It’s hardly overrun, in general they just don’t like foreigners, brown ones at least, white ones seem to be acceptable.
It’s really sad.. so many Hungarians have left Budapest… and yet those of us who choose to be here thru proper channels are now being tossed out?
I agree, no one is stealing jobs from Hungarians. If foreigners have left their countries to work in Hungary, it should almost be a compliment to Hungarians if someone is leaving their country to work in Budapest. That could be saying a lot to Hungary as a country, and there should be appreciation for it.
Spot on with your comments! I agree fully!
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32024R1347&qid=1757923881579
Guest work permits, for instance, can now be extended only for up to three years and no longer grant some of the rights people expected—like family reunification or a clearer path to long-term residency. That shift makes me think: what happens to people who aren’t in “high-skill” sectors, retirees, or those whose contributions aren’t in core economic sectors?
Community groups and advocacy voices in the article raise a valid point: this policy could drive out professionals, cultural contributors, and older residents who have integrated but don’t match Hungary’s new preferred categories. It’s not just about immigration policy—it’s about social fabric.
15 years of living and rerouting my life, owning two flats, supporting Hungarian economy and now that I finally can retire to a place I built into what I thought was home, I can’t! I don’t want to take jobs from anyone, I put in my years of working… I uprooted my life and moved to Hungary because I loved the country and now you want me to leave? I did everything legally… I paid 15 years into your pension system which I will never receive a forint from ( not long enough working), but you gladly took my money and I willingly gave it.. all the while saving up to enjoy my later years in your country. Now I must go? I don’t want free healthcare… I pay for my private doctors, I take nothing from the people but rather I contribute financially to your shops, churches, restaurants etc. and now… 15 years later just when I was happy to be retired living in Budapest… you expect I should just leave?
Spot on with your comments! I agree fully!
Eff the EU.