Hungary Wants to Tighten Rules on Employment Migration for Non-EU Citizens

Summary

• Hungary has proposed a law that intends to strengthen immigration control, citing concerns over mass migration.
• The legislation prioritises job opportunities for Hungarian citizens, with a focus on defining eligibility criteria for residency, including limiting the duration of stay.
• Residence in Hungary will no longer be indefinite, and automatic extensions for foreigners will be eliminated.

The Hungarian Interior Ministry announced that the government had presented a proposed law to parliament seeking to enhance immigration control.

In a press release issued yesterday, October 15, it said that the initiative was urged by concerns over mass migration and asserts that job opportunities in Hungary should prioritise its citizens.

As About Hungary, a website managed by the Hungarian Prime Minister’s international communication office, reports the proposed legislation aims to define the eligibility criteria for residing in Hungary, including the permitted duration of stay.

In this regard, the statement emphasises that residence in the country will no longer be indefinite, and automatic extensions for foreigners will not be granted.

The proposed legislation will also determine the legal requirements and conditions for foreigners’ residence and employment in Hungary.

The Hungarian Interior Ministry

According to the Ministry, those violating Hungarian laws and regulations will be asked to leave immediately or face deportation.

In addition, foreign individuals may engage in employment only if there are no Hungarian applicants for the respective positions, with the flow of guest workers not exceeding the number of job vacancies. The duration of their stay will be strictly limited.

Moreover, entry into Hungary for foreign nationals will depend on compliance with specified requirements, legal frameworks, time limits, and conditions prescribed by the Hungarian state.

Long-term residence and employment for third-country nationals will require clear approval from the state, provided that their presence is in line with the interests of Hungarian society and avoids any harm to a Hungarian citizen.

In May this year, the Hungarian authorities passed legislation on guest workers. In this regard, Secretary of State Sandor Czomba emphasised the strict measures for workers from third countries arriving in Hungary, clarifying that the purpose of the legislation is not to reduce the significant flow of job seekers in the country but rather to strengthen the local workforce and create new employment opportunities.

The focus of this legislation was an active search for employment of individuals aged 25 to 65, new mothers, and underemployed individuals, with approximately 300,000 people from these categories contributing to the labour market.

A month later, the Hungarian parliament also agreed on legislation introducing a new employment category for foreign workers, aiming for significant development to expand employment opportunities and promote economic integration. Under the revised regulations, individuals from non-EEA countries can now stay legally in Hungary for a duration exceeding 90 days.