Hungary will cap the maximum number of guest worker residence permits and employment-related residence permits to 35,000 in 2025, down from the 2024 cap of 65,000.

The decision, confirmed by the Hungarian Ministry of National Economy, comes in a bid to protect Hungarian jobs and families. As informed by a news report in Schengen News

Announcing the new changes, the Ministry e mphasised that the government is committed to protecting Hungarian families and jobs. Through a statement, the Ministry said that under the law, international workers can only be employed if vacant positions cannot be filled by Hungarian workers.

The number of third-country workers who can be employed simultaneously in the territory of Hungary has been regulated by a quota for two decades. Based on this quota, the theoretical maximum is the average number of vacancies over the previous four quarters.

According to a report from Index Hungary, in order to protect the labour market of Hungary, including workers, and families, the Ministry of National Economy in this country has decided to tighten regulations related to workers from other countries.

In line with the relevant regulation, the total number of employment-related residence permits as well as guest worker residence permits in 2025 will be 35,000.

Tightened Regulations for Guest Workers

In September this year, the Hungarian government unfolded a new proposal, which among others consisted of tightened rules for guest workers.

The proposal aimed to ensure that job vacancies in Hungary were filled by local residents first.

As a result, in order to bring in workers from other countries, employers in Hungary will need to prove they can’t find suitable workers in Hungary.

Back then, local media reports said that, as part of the new rules, private recruitment agencies would also be prohibited from hiring workers from outside EU countries.

The cap for guest workers for 2024, set by the government of Hungary was 65,000. The government allowed the entry of foreign workers from 15 countries, including those from North Macedonia, Belarus and Kazakhstan.

On 1 January, 2024, Hungary implemented the new immigration law, with rules related to guest workers scheduled to be implemented from 1 July, 2024.