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Guest Worker Residence Permit – The list of Eligible Countries is Finally Here

Hungary
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In 2024, Hungary introduced new regulations concerning the employment of guest workers. The new law, which took effect at the start of the year, outlines specific criteria for obtaining a guest worker residence permit. Under the new regulations, a guest worker can receive a residence permit if the following conditions are met:

  • Employment Purpose: The primary reason for their stay must be to engage in paid employment within Hungary, either directly under an employer or through labour leasing arrangements.
  • Registered Employer: The employer must be a registered preferential employer or a registered certified temporary work agency. A "certified temporary work agency" is defined in the law as an employer listed in the government-designated certified temporary work agency register.
  • Third-Country National: The worker must be a citizen of a third country, as specified by a government decree.
  • Eligible Occupation: The worker’s employment must be in a field that has not been excluded by the Minister responsible for employment policy in their official announcements.

Additionally, the law places an annually determined cap on the total number of guest worker residence permits and employment-based residence permits issued in Hungary each year. The guest worker residence permit allows a worker to stay in Hungary for a fixed period of up to two years. The Hungarian government now has also determined the list of third countries whose citizens are eligible for the guest worker residence permit under this law. The countries include Philippines, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Federative Republic of Brazil, Georgia, Kyrgyz Republic, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and Republic of Colombia.

These changes aim to regulate the employment of non-EU nationals in Hungary more effectively, ensuring that the process aligns with the country's labour market needs and legal framework. The inclusion of specific countries is likely intended to target labour from regions where Hungary has strategic or economic interests.

By Reka Fulop, Attorney at Law, KCG Partners

Hungary Knowledge Partner

DLA Piper is a global law firm with lawyers located in more than 40 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific. This positions us to help clients with their legal needs around the world.

With more than 60 lawyers, including 14 partners, and a staff of over 140, DLA Piper Hungary is one of the largest international law firms operating in Hungary. What makes us stand out is that we offer not only legal services but also tax and business advisory support in a fully integrated manner. We maximize synergies between legal, tax, and business advisory services to offer a unique service for our clients, particularly in regulated industries such as energy, infrastructure, life sciences, banking, and telecommunications.

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DLA Piper Hungary has received numerous professional awards and is consistently ranked among the top law firms in Hungary by international rankings. We are ranked #1 by Mergermarket among the law firms active in Hungary based on the volume of M&A deals handled between 2005 and 2024.

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