Work permit in Hungary

20+

years of experience

10+

languages

150+

nationalities

The new Hungarian immigration law (issued in 2024) offers a variety of work permit types for foreigners wishing to live and work in Hungary. Eligibility for these work permit categories is based on qualification, position, salary and nationality of the employee, and its benefits vary in terms of length, renewal options, and the availability of family unification and eventual permanent residency. If your company is considering hiring non-EU nationals, it is important to work with professionals who can navigate both the employer and the employee towards the best option.

Established in 2005, HELPERS is Hungary’s leading provider of comprehensive business and immigration services. Our team offers expert guidance, ensuring that our clients receive tailored advice on the latest immigration regulations and efficient support throughout the application procedure.

20+

years of experience

10+

languages

150+

nationalities

Overview Our Service Reviews FAQ Contact us

Employing foreigners in Hungary
Our full-service packages can include:
- Initial consultation
- Preparation of all required application documents
- Submission via Enter Hungary
- Government fee
- In-person assistance with biometric data registration at the Immigration Office in Budapest
- Declaration of initial accommodation
- Support with certified Hungarian translations
- Notification of employment to authorities
- Expiry reminders for residence permit renewal
- Social Security card
- Tax card
Download our brochure
Selecting the right work permit
Our list price for a package starts at EUR 1,300 (+VAT) with discounts available for bulk orders.

Depending on qualification, position, salary or nationality, your employee may qualify for various residency types. Let us help you choose the best fit! Benefits may include family unification, extended validity period, and eligibility for permanent residency in the long run.

In addition, we offer a range of services to support the hiring of foreign nationals, including:
- HR Support
- Payroll Services
- Tax Advisory
- Social Security Advisory
- Labor Law Advisory
Special work permit types
Your employee may qualify for a special residence permit based on their nationality, position, and qualifications.

Residency options include:
- Hungarian Card: Designed for employees with a university degree in IT, engineering, or natural sciences.
- EU Blue Card: Available to employees with a university degree relevant to their position.
- Intra-corporate transfer: Ideal for transferring employees to your Hungarian branch or subsidiary.
- National Card: Available for certain nationalities with no restriction on qualification, please see the full list in our detailed blog post.
Scroll down for more information.

The new Hungarian immigration law (issued in 2024) offers a variety of options for employment-based residency depending on the candidates’ qualifications, nationality and future position. If you would like to read up on the differences between the work permit categories, please click here for an informative blog post, or contact us to schedule a consultation so we can discuss the most fitting option for your employees and their families.

Stay up to date on all work permit related news by following our blog!

Go to our blog

Working in Hungary

While EU nationals working in Hungary do not need work visas, non-EU citizens generally require a permit to work. This is true whether they are employed with a Hungarian company through a labor contract, or with their own company. The only exception is for non-EU nationals doing business in Hungary who work for their own business as directors. If the director, however, does any work in the company that is not related to management (e.g. in a one-person programming firm where the director also works as a programmer), he may need to apply for a work permit. To be absolutely sure and to avoid unpleasant surprises or delays, it is best to speak to an immigration expert.

Work permit application

The work permit application is currently done as part of the residency application through the Hungarian immigration office. The procedure must start with a valid labor contract between the applicant and a Hungarian company – it is not possible to apply for a work permit in advance and look for a job later. It’s important to plan ahead to avoid delays, so make sure you speak to us if you are planning to work in Hungary or are looking to employ a foreigner.

The new ‘Guest Worker’ permit

If you’re planning to bring a significant number of workers for a specific project, the new ‘Guest Worker’ residence permit could be an option for you. Read more about the procedure in our detailed blog post.

Work permit and related services

We offer customizable packages to suit your relocation needs, along with consultancy to find the best permit option for your staff. Our package fees start at EUR 1,300 (+VAT) with discounts available for bulk orders, initial consultation available for EUR 120 / hour ((+VAT), deductible from future package purchase.

We offer the following main permit types:

Residence permit for the purpose of employment: Available regardless of specific qualifications, but only to specific nationalities (learn more here). This permit is valid for 2 years and can be renewed for an additional year. Please note that this category does not provide eligibility for family unification or permanent residency, however, our consultants are happy to check whether your candidate is eligible for a more beneficial work permit category..
Hungarian Card: Designed for employees with a university degree in IT, engineering, or natural sciences. This permit is valid for up to 3 years, renewable, and allows for family unification and permanent residency.
EU Blue Card: Available to employees with a university degree relevant to their position. Valid for up to 4 years, renewable, and allows for family unification and permanent residency.
Intra-corporate transfer (ICT): Ideal for transferring employees to your Hungarian branch or subsidiary. Valid for up to 3 years, this permit also allows family unification and can lead to permanent residency.
National Card: Available for certain nationalities, please see the full list in our detailed blog post. For this permit there is no restriction on qualification, and it is valid for up to 2 years, renewable, and allows for family unification and permanent residency.
Family Unification: Available for family members of the employees, with the same validity period as the employee’s residence permit.

For all permit types that allow family unification, we also handle the residency applications of the family members, separately or as part of the employee’s package. Click here to read more about family visas.

Reviews

Our clients say

Y Schwartz

I’m writing this review because the lawyer I spoke with before helpers (who is high up in the google search results) wanted 150 euro before he would say a word to me about my Hungarian visa issues. By contrast, Helpers were kind, attentive and extremely fair. Anna is an excellent and sharp advocate, she helped me quickly and effectively, and I can’t recommend Helpers enough. (In retrospect, I guess I shouldn’t be so surprised to find an idealistic and capable firm when of all the names available, they chose the name Helpers.)
Kseniia R

I am incredibly grateful to Helpers for their work and professionalism! Tala curated our case. She was extremely patient and supported us immensely throughout the process. I value the most that the timeline Helpers provided was clear, detailed, and very helpful. In the end, my husband and I had two successful visa cases. The team members always replied swiftly and knew all the answers. I would also like to thank our lawyer, Naomi, for her work on the case!
Mark V

Helpers did a fantastic job of guiding me through a difficult and lengthy process, from tracking down obscure pre-war documents through the careful preparation of my application. Mercedesz in particular was terrific. Highly recommend.
Chris M

Helpers was dedicated to facilitating my case. There were several instances where I thought I would not succeed and I simply would have been lost in the maze of bureaucracy without them. The initial application submission assistance is convenient and relatively easier than doing it yourself, but the real value in this service is having a third party closer to the inside that is more fluent in the language and can help eliminate the inevitable confusion and complication. Rest assured Helpers can simplify and illuminate the path to success for you.
Imran B

I have done my residency through Helpers and the whole process was so smooth. Tala is super knowledgeable and guided me through every step of the process and all timelines were met just as explained to me. very professional and efficient company to work with. would highly recommend them for all your immigration needs in Hungary. Thank you Tala and everyone else that has contributed in making this process a breeze 🙏

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

Can you help me find work in Hungary?

Normally we do not do job searches. Once you have found a job, we will happily handle your work permit and related paperwork.

Which work permit will I need?

Each employment-based residence permit sets out different conditions for eligibility. They cover qualifications, expected salary, and several other factors. If you need help determining which permit fits your conditions best, book a consultation with one of our experts.

Is there an open work permit in Hungary?

An open work permit means a residence permit that lets you work wherever you want, meaning you can switch jobs without applying for a new permit. Hungarian work permits are not like that, however; they are tied to the job, so switching jobs requires a new application.

The only work-based residence permit that lets you switch employers without submitting a new residency application is the EU Blue Card, but only after 1 year. Otherwise this is an option only for permanent residency holders or guest investors.

Apart from a work permit, what other papers do I need for working in Hungary?

You will need a personal tax number and social security number, so your employer can put you on payroll. You will also need a residence permit, but we will handle this jointly with the work permit application. Finally, if you are bringing along your family to Hungary, they will also need dependent visas.

Can the work permit be renewed upon expiry?

Yes, every work permit can be renewed. The application must be submitted at least 45 days before expiry, and we suggest you start gathering the relevant documents at least 3 months in advance to make sure everything will be ready for submission.

Can “old” work permits be renewed upon expiry?

The new immigration law that came into force in 2024 restructured the available work permit types. When a work permit issued according to the previous law is due for renewal, there is a chance it will no longer be available. In that case, the worker will need to choose one of the currently available residence permits, and apply for that.

How can you help me if I am looking to employ a foreign national at my company?

Whether you have a particular candidate in mind, or you regularly work with an international team, we can help you with all aspects of employment – from acquiring a work permit and resident permit for your staff member to getting their tax number and social security number, doing their payroll, or even handling their relocation and assisting their family members with their visas.

Contact

Contact us today

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If you don’t get a response, add us to your whitelist or call us.

+36 1 317 8570

info@helpers.hu

Monday – Friday
9am – 5pm CET

Helpers Hungary Kft

Budapart Gate

Dombóvári út 27

Budapest 1117, Hungary

If you’re visiting us, please use entrance A and come to the 2^nd floor.