Hungary’s Guest Worker Loophole Allows Foreign Workers to Enter Country
The Hungarian government has recently implemented new regulations on guest worker recruitment, leading to a reduction in the annual guest worker quota and a narrowing of eligible countries. However, loopholes in the new policies ensure that the inflow of non-EU workers will not completely dry up.
Despite the reduction in the annual guest worker quota to 35,000 for 2025 and the restriction of eligible non-EU countries to Georgia and Armenia, exceptions still exist for major economic projects and alternative pathways for guest workers. This move reflects Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s stance on limiting foreign workers and ensuring Hungary remains “neither a country of guest workers nor migrants.”
The recent measures also tightened regulations for employing guest workers from third countries, reducing the number of eligible nations to just three: Georgia, Armenia, and the Philippines. These changes follow the introduction of the Aliens Act in 2024, which only allows qualified employers and approved temporary work agencies to recruit guest workers. Contracts for these workers typically last up to two years with a possible one-year extension.
Exceptions exist for critical economic projects such as investments by companies like BYD and BMW, where guest workers can be employed without limitations. Additionally, the National Card scheme offers an alternative pathway for certain nationalities under stricter conditions.
While the new regulations may seem like a significant shift towards limiting guest workers, the loopholes and exceptions ensure that the influx of non-EU workers will still contribute to the Hungarian economy. The government’s actions reflect a balancing act between political objectives and economic needs.
