Important changes in the rules governing the employment of guest workers

A government decree amending the rules on the employment of guest workers in Hungary (Government Decree No. 450/2024. (XII. 23.)) was published today (Government Decree No. 92/2026. (VI. 5.)).

First, it is worth noting that the legislation on the entry and residence of third-country nationals (Act XC of 2023) distinguishes four types of guest worker permits:

• seasonal guest worker,
• guest worker employed for the implementation of an investment,
• residence permit for employment purposes,
• guest worker residence permit.

The changes do not affect procedures related to residence permits for employment for investment purposes or for seasonal work.

Under the new rules, as of June 6, 2026, it will no longer be possible to apply for a new guest worker residence permit. As a result, the changes impose restrictions in cases where individuals are employed by registered preferential employers or registered qualified temporary work agencies. At the same time, transitional provisions ensure that employees currently working under a guest worker residence permit may extend their permits, and applications submitted by June 6, 2026, will be assessed under the previous rules.

With regard to the residence permit for employment purposes, the amended government decree, effective from June 6, 2026, introduces clarifications while continuing to allow applications for such permits for nationals of countries applicable since the beginning of 2025 (Georgia, Armenia, and the Republic of the Philippines). The decree also maintains the transitional provisions set out in Section 4, which, among other things, ensure that third-country nationals (not limited to those from the above-mentioned countries) who held a valid residence permit for employment purposes on December 31, 2024, and have been continuously employed in Hungary (even with successive employers), may continue to submit applications.