Good news for guest workers in Hungary: wages are set to rise significantly in 2026!
Social partners — representing employers and employees — have proposed to the government an 11% increase in the minimum wage and a 7% rise in the guaranteed minimum salary for next year. This was agreed during Thursday’s monitoring committee meeting of the Permanent Consultation Forum between the Competitive Sector and the Government (VKF). On Friday, the parties described the proposal as a compromise solution to MTI. Past experience suggests the proposal will ultimately be accepted, although the government makes the final decision.
If approved, the minimum wage will increase from a gross HUF 290,800 to HUF 322,800 (EUR 842), while the guaranteed minimum wage will rise from HUF 348,800 to HUF 373,200 (EUR 977), effective from 1 January 2026. László Perlusz, Secretary General of the National Association of Entrepreneurs and Employers (VOSZ), said this wage rise is “very favourable”, especially after a year when the Hungarian economy grew by half a percent and inflation stayed below 5%. This means the real value of the guaranteed minimum wage will also increase, he added.
He emphasised that raising minimum wages is a significant pay boost that will also push the average wage upwards. In other words, everyone working in Hungary, including guest workers, could see their pay rise. According to VOSZ, business owners won’t struggle with the increase, and it will contribute to the healthy evolution of companies, the Hungarian News Agency wrote.
Ferenc Rolek, Vice President of the National Association of Hungarian Industrialists, called the agreement acceptable given the circumstances. However, he noted that the average wage cannot rise by such a margin as “there isn’t enough economic capacity to cover it.”
Read also:
- Minimum wage in Hungary remains among the lowest in the EU
- Hungary backs off 13% minimum wage hike, eyes more modest increase
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