Under a government decree published in the Hungarian Gazette (Magyar Közlöny) on 5 June 2026 and in force from 6 June (Government Decree 92/2026. (VI. 5.)), Hungary's guest worker system underwent a significant overhaul. The change has now been in force for nearly a month. It is important to be precise about what it actually does: the decree does not affect the legal status of those already here, nor the renewal of their permits — rather, it stops labour-leasing agencies and similarly entitled employers from bringing in new third-country workers on this simplified basis. According to official announcements and news reports, the economic policy focus has shifted towards mobilising domestic labour reserves, which has prompted stricter regulations for workers arriving from abroad.

Although the press often referred to it as "the end of the system", the move did not in fact catch the profession off guard: back in the January 2026 election campaign the governing party had already signalled that it would overhaul the rules for labour-leasing agencies' guest-worker-permit staff, and it later announced the "guest worker stop" for 1 June 2026 (which eventually took effect a few days later). So it can now be reviewed calmly what this actually means for those of you who are currently building your lives and careers in Hungary.

The Key Changes in Brief

Based on the information available so far, the following main changes have taken effect:

  • Not abolished, but new issuance stopped: The "guest worker residence permit" as a legal category has not been abolished. The real change is that, from 6 June 2026, new (first) issuance applications can no longer be granted — this does not affect domestic re-issuance or renewal applications. And importantly, it is not only labour-leasing agencies that are affected. Besides them, employers with a valid strategic partnership agreement with the Government, employers carrying out an investment of priority importance to the national economy, and employers holding a partnership agreement under the Priority Exporter Partnership Programme may also employ third-country nationals on this permit (subject to further statutory conditions).

  • Withdrawn country list: The country list attached to the guest worker residence permit has been withdrawn. Since December 2024 that list contained only three countries — the Philippines, Georgia, and Armenia — so no new (first) issuance can take place on this basis for them either. This is not a blanket ban, however: employment on other legal grounds remains possible under the employment-purpose permit.

What does this mean if you are already working here legally?

When legislative changes of this magnitude occur, it is completely natural to worry about your status. However, it is important to be clear: this change does not target those who live and work here legally, with a valid permit, with immediate everyday repercussions.

If you arrived through official channels and your paperwork is in order, your current permit remains valid until its expiry date. Nevertheless, you should be prepared when it comes to renewals and future administration:

  1. Mind the filing windows: It is critical to know exactly when your permit expires and to file within the correct window. A renewal application must be submitted no earlier than 90 and no later than 30 days before the permit expires, while a domestic re-issuance application must be filed no earlier than 40 days before expiry and no later than the last day of the permit's validity. If your permit lapses, travelling home to file a fresh application will not help: under the decree, new (first) issuance is no longer available. A late filing can be excused via a formal justification request, but the aim should always be to avoid that.

  2. Renewals remain possible under the decree: Under a transitional provision of the decree, if you held a valid guest worker residence permit before the change took effect, you can still apply to extend it or to obtain it again domestically under the previously applicable rules — provided your employer still has a genuine need to fill the role and also you still want to work there. It helps to understand the underlying logic: the permit is generally first issued for 2 years, can be extended once by up to 1 year, but never beyond 3 years from first issuance. After that, you can apply for domestic re-issuance, which can grant a fresh 2-year permit (itself extendable again). The numerical cap applies only to permits granted in the issuance procedure, not to extensions — which is why the distinction between extension and re-issuance matters.

  3. Talk to your employer: Companies, employers, and HR departments have spent the past weeks working through these new rules, and in many places the transition is still ongoing. For employers, the biggest shift is that they can no longer fully replace departing staff with brand-new applicants — recruiting on this basis no longer makes sense. Retaining existing workers and minimising turnover is therefore likely to become a priority. It is highly recommended to sit down with them as soon as possible to plan your next steps together.

  4. Be proactive: If you are a national of one of the three restricted countries (Georgia, Armenia, or the Philippines), the conditions for your future employment in Hungary may become more complex. In such cases, precise, error-free administration is literally the key to your continued life in Hungary.

Insider tip: In almost all cases it is your employer, not you, who files the application — that is the very essence of this simplified procedure. So, as the foreign worker, you must actively confirm that the application really has been submitted, and if so, exactly when. Never assume it has been done — ask for written proof of filing.

Protecting your legal status through proactive planning and timely administration is more important now than ever. If you have a question about your own situation, Horizontes Nova is happy to help you find your way.

This article is for general information and reflects the position and press reports as of 1 July 2026; it does not constitute individual legal advice. For guidance tailored to your situation, please get in touch.

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