Hungary work permit reform is back on the table, but nothing has changed yet. A coalition of immigration, legal and business organisations wants to replace the fragmented system introduced in 2024 with one default work permit, the EU Blue Card and a small number of separate routes. The proposal also calls for better rules on changing employers, family reunification and the time workers have to find another job.

As a dual Canadian-Hungarian citizen, I do not need a work permit myself, but immigration is hardly an abstract subject in our family. My sister moved here with her non-EU husband, and we have seen first-hand how confusing, restrictive and sometimes seemingly arbitrary the system has become.

I received both the English and Hungarian proposals through my work on the Board of the Irish-Hungarian Business Circle. I read them in full and then contacted the organisations involved, along with immigration lawyer Dr. Szabolcs Miklós Sánta, for additional context.

I have lived in Hungary since 2017, regularly host live immigration events and publish a monthly Immigration Insider newsletter. This analysis is based on both original proposals and direct comments from the people involved.

A Public Proposal, Not a New Law

The proposal, Simplifying Hungary’s Work Permit System, was prepared by the Association of Business Service Leaders (ABSL), Helpers Hungary, Dr. Mándó Tibor’s law firm, EY and Settlers Relocation. The authors also consulted employers, HR providers, chambers, lawyers and other organizations affected by the current system. Its purpose is not to announce a decision, but to begin a proper discussion before the next one is made.

Barbara Ürögdi, Managing Director of Helpers Hungary, confirmed publicly that the document may be read, shared and discussed. As she put it:

“It is not crucial to agree on all points; what is important is to start a stakeholder discussion.”

That is also why the original documents name the participants and include their contact details. This is not a leak, an internal memo or policy being floated quietly to see whether anyone objects. The authors want the proposal circulated, examined and challenged.

The Problem They Want to Undo

The proposal argues that Hungary’s 2024 immigration reforms replaced a relatively straightforward work-permit system with a fragmented collection of categories, exceptions, country lists and special rules. Its authors are careful to say that they are not asking for looser controls:

“This proposal is not a call for the ‘relaxation’ of regulations.”

Their case is that the old system already protected Hungarian workers. Before a third-country national could be hired, the authorities assessed the specific employer, candidate, job and region, including whether a suitable Hungarian or EEA jobseeker was available.

The paper says that Hungary now has no normal default work permit for candidates who do not fit a special category. That can exclude qualified people from countries including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, South Korea and China, even where a Hungarian employer has a genuine vacancy.

It also states that the two categories intended for highly qualified workers represented only around 6% of applications in 2025. The authors see that as evidence that the system is better designed for temporary, lower-skilled recruitment and selected large investments than for the wider professional labour market.

What the Hungary Work Permit Reform Would Change

One default work permit

The central recommendation is a standard work-purpose residence permit assessed case by case. The employer would still need to show a genuine vacancy, and Hungarian and EEA jobseekers would retain priority. This is not an open-door proposal. A third-country national could be hired only where the labour-market assessment supported it.

Far fewer permit categories

The proposal recommends abolishing the Hungarian Card, National Card, Corporate Card and the broad guest-worker category. Seasonal work, investment implementation and intra-company transfer permits could remain separate because they serve genuinely different purposes. The EU Blue Card would remain the main route for highly qualified workers. In other words, fewer labels, fewer exceptions and considerably less regulatory chess.

A more useful EU Blue Card

The authors suggest a lower salary threshold for some recent graduates, a salary threshold fixed for at least three years, and easier employer changes after the first 12 months. They also want Hungary to make better use of advantages associated with the EU Blue Card elsewhere in Europe, including faster procedures, family rights and a clearer route towards long-term residence.

Time to find another job

The proposal says Hungary’s current system gives some workers only five days after unemployment before their status is at risk. It argues that this conflicts with the revised EU Single Permit Directive. The recommended model would provide at least three months to find another employer, rising to six months after two years of residence. A further period could apply where exploitative working conditions were involved.

Family reunification

Under the proposal, holders of the new default permit would not automatically be barred from bringing immediate family members. Applicants would still need to meet financial, housing and other conditions. This is a practical recruitment issue. A company may find the ideal candidate, but “move alone and leave your family behind” is not exactly a dazzling employment package.

Back to the Old Law?

Dr. Sánta Szabolcs Miklos’ assessment was admirably direct:

“Basically: we should go back to the old law. Which would be great.”

That is broadly what the proposal does. It does not invent an entirely new model. It revives some of the logic used before 2024, when labour demand was assessed individually, then updates it around current EU requirements.

His one reservation was that Menedék Association perhaps could have been included in the consultation. That is a fair point. Most of the named participants represent employers, legal services, relocation and HR. An organization working directly with migrants and integration could add another useful perspective.

Who Could Benefit?

If any of these recommendations became law, the largest practical change could be for non-EU professionals who currently fall between the categories.

That may include:

• graduates of Hungarian universities who receive a local job offer;
• experienced professionals whose role does not fit the Hungarian Card;
• British, American, Canadian, Australian and other non-EU citizens excluded by current country lists;
• employers recruiting for specialised roles;
• families deciding whether a move to Hungary is realistic.

Existing permit holders should not assume anything is changing. There is no new application route, no revised eligibility and no reason to alter a current immigration plan based on this paper alone. The proposal concerns third-country nationals. EU and EEA citizens do not use these employment-related residence permits.

What Happens Now?

The proposal is now being directed towards the people who could influence Hungary’s next immigration reforms: government decision-makers, the authorities, chambers of commerce, HIPA, professional associations and the local press.

The foreign business community has already had input. The Dutch Chamber participated in the roundtables and circulated the proposal through the EU Chambers network. The British and Canadian chambers have also supported the initiative, while the US Embassy attended as an observer. That matters because third-country national means every non-EU citizen, including British, American and Canadian workers who are often overlooked in this debate.

The immediate goal is not to have every recommendation adopted exactly as written. As Barbara Ürögdi CEO of Helpers told me:

“The main message is to start a stakeholder discussion and discourage the government from making rash decisions without consulting a wide range of experts and employers affected.”

The organizations behind the proposal believe the current system cannot be repaired with a few small amendments. They are calling for a simpler framework aligned with EU rules and the approach used elsewhere in Europe. There is no published government response or timetable yet. Until that changes, Hungary’s current work permit rules remain in force.

Related Reads

• Hungary’s Guest Worker Permit Is Gone: What the June 2026 suspension actually changed, and what it did not.
• Hungary Immigration: The Price of Staying

Read the Original Proposal

The complete documents are public and include the names and contact details of the main participants.

• Hungary-Work-Permit-Reform-Proposal-English.pdf
• Hungary-Work-Permit-Reform-Proposal-Hungarian.pdf

The proposal relies heavily on the revised EU Single Permit Directive, Directive (EU) 2024/1233, and the EU Blue Card Directive, Directive (EU) 2021/1883. The official legal texts are available through EUR-Lex.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Hungary’s work permit rules changing now? No. This is a public professional proposal, not draft legislation or an announced government decision. Hungary’s current immigration rules remain in force, so anyone applying for or renewing a residence permit should continue to follow the requirements for their existing permit category.

Who is behind the work permit reform proposal? The proposal was prepared by ABSL, Helpers Hungary, Dr. Mándó Tibor’s law firm, EY and Settlers Relocation. Employers, HR providers, chambers of commerce and other professionals also contributed through roundtables and consultations. The Dutch Chamber helped distribute it through the EU Chambers network, while the British and Canadian chambers have also supported the initiative and the US Embassy participated as an observer.

What would the proposal actually change? The main recommendation is to replace Hungary’s collection of work-related permit categories with one default work-purpose residence permit, alongside the EU Blue Card and a few genuinely separate routes. It would also introduce clearer rules for changing employers, give workers more time to find another job and potentially allow family reunification under the new default permit.

Would this affect EU citizens living or working in Hungary? No. The proposal concerns third-country nationals, meaning people who are not citizens of the EU or EEA. This includes British, American, Canadian, Australian and many other nationalities, not only the Asian and Middle Eastern workers who often dominate discussions about third-country employment.

Can people read, share or comment on the proposal? Yes. Both the English and Hungarian versions are public, and the organisations behind them welcome questions, comments and discussion. Their main aim is to encourage proper consultation involving employers, immigration professionals, chambers, authorities and government decision-makers before further legislation is introduced.

A Useful Rewind

The most interesting thing about this Hungary work permit reform is that it is not especially radical. Its basic message is that the pre-2024 system was clearer, more adaptable and better connected to actual labour demand.

Whether the government agrees is another matter. For now, I am glad the proposal is public, named and open to scrutiny. Immigration rules shape real lives, not only HR spreadsheets, and they deserve more than policy made through exceptions and last-minute amendments.

I will continue tracking the discussion through HOW TO HUNGARY and my Immigration Insider Monthly Newsletter. For the rules that apply today, always rely on current official guidance and professional advice rather than a proposal, however sensible it may look.

Disclaimer: The information on HOW TO HUNGARY is provided for general informational purposes only and reflects the information available at the time of publication. Immigration laws and government policies can change, and this content should not be considered legal advice. Always verify the latest requirements with the relevant Hungarian authorities or seek advice from a qualified immigration professional before making decisions based on this information.