What is the difference between the “guest worker permit” and regular work permits?

Most recently, there was a widely picked-up article mid-December stating that the employment of third-country nationals will be severely restricted in Hungary from 2025 (with the seemingly bizarre exception for the country of Georgia). This is clearly not correct, and was once again the result of mixing up “guest workers” (whose employment may, in fact, become more restricted) and regular work permit holders. We attempt to clear up this confusion below.

Who is a guest worker in Hungary?

“Guest worker” is the exact translation of the Hungarian “vendégmunkás”. This is a very specific type of work permit that is stipulated in the new immigration law, introduced in 2025. Incorrectly, however, it is often used in everyday language (and, sadly, even in serious media outlets) to refer more generally to foreign employees.

• In everyday language, “guest worker” is often used to refer to a person working in a Hungary as a foreigner. Of course, this is not correct in a technical sense because most foreigners working in Hungary are not here on a guest worker permit.
• In immigration law, guest worker is a legal category and refers to holders a specific type of Hungarian work permit. This type of permit is available only to strategic partners of the Hungarian government or labor rental agencies licensed specifically for the employment of guest workers. It can only be obtained for nationals of a handful of countries (a list that was shortened in July 2024) and only for certain types of positions (manual labor). You can learn more about it here.

Since these two meanings are very different, it is crucial that journalists, politicians, and anyone trying to interpret immigration regulations should use the correct terminology, and understand that regulations referring to “guest workers” apply only to those holding this specific type of permit.

The context of the news item published mid-December was the impending restriction of the law concerning guest workers in the specific sense, and the list of countries from where they may be accepted. According to a new proposal, countries would remain eligible only if they meet additional conditions. However, if these conditions were to be applied starting from January 2025, only Georgia would stay on the list.

Unfortunately, this conclusion was interpreted in the wrong context, as if it referred to all foreign people living and working in Hungary. It was a simple misunderstanding originally, which was blown out of proportion and caused a lot of concern among employers and expats.

Getting a work permit remains possible for everyone

Foreign nationals living and working in Hungary may rest assured: they may continue to stay in Hungary with their existing work permits or other relevant documents, same as before. Even nationals on the list of countries currently eligible for guest worker residency will be able to apply for regular work permits without change.

Extending work permits will also remain possible on the same terms as before. To renew your residence permit, an application must be submitted at least 45 days before the expiry of your permit. To get ready for the submitting the application, you should probably start preparations at least 3 months before expiry, so you can collect all the relevant documents on time. If you are a Helpers client, we will be happy to assist you with that.

The Helpers Team is at your service

With 20 years of experience and a team of 25+ dedicated professionals, Helpers offers business and immigration services to foreigners living, working, and doing business in Hungary, and we would be happy to help you too. Feel free to reach out to us!

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