New Proposal to Reform Hungary’s Work Permit System

A committee of HR, immigration, legal and industry experts has submitted a reform proposal to the Hungarian government, arguing that the immigration framework introduced in 2024 has become complex, undermining both employers needs and the country’s economic competitiveness. The proposal does not advocate for unrestricted access for foreign workers to the Hungarian labour market. Instead, it calls for a simpler, more transparent system that is compatible with EU legislation while continuing to prioritize Hungarian workers in the labour market.

Key recommendations include: (i) simplifying the current permit system by consolidating nearly twenty different permit categories; (ii) introducing a general work-related residence permit based on an individual labour market assessment; (iii) retaining the EU Blue Card and a limited number of specialized permit categories, such as seasonal employment and intra-company transfers.

The proposal also highlights the urgency of reform, as Hungary has not yet fully implemented the EU Single Permit Directive ((EU) 2024/1233), despite the transposition deadline having passed on 21 May 2026. The reform proposal has been submitted to several ministries, and its authors are calling for broad consultations with policymakers, employers, industry associations, and other stakeholders to develop a more efficient and predictable framework for employing foreign workers in Hungary.