How easy is it to employ foreign nationals in Hungary? That will depend on their nationality. EU and EEA nationals only need an EU registration card and a local social security number to start working, while other nationals will need a work permit that takes at least a few months to acquire.
Find the best employees
When operating a business, it is natural that you want the best person for each position. Sometimes that best person will be someone from outside Hungary, so employing them will require some extra work. However, if these foreign nationals are truly the best fit, your effort may turn out to be an excellent investment.
First, you need to check their nationality.
- EU and EEA nationals can work in Hungary without problems. They will need an EU registration card, a Hungarian social security number and a local tax number, but these can be obtained within days.
- Everyone else, so third-country nationals need a work permit before they can start working in Hungary. There are various options available depending on nationality and qualification, but obtaining these takes a few months.
Employing third-country nationals
The official term “third-country national” denotes foreign nationals who are neither EU nor EEA nationals. In fact, it would be easier to say “non-EEA nationals”, but that could easily be mixed up with non-EU nationals. Since there are cases where the distinction matters, the term third-country nationals is preferred.
When employing third-country nationals, you should keep in mind that they will need a work permit. A work permit is always tied to the position, which means they cannot apply without input from you: they will be able to apply only after you have reached an agreement on the job and its details. They will need to submit their contract, or at least a preliminary contract alongside their application forms.
Work permit options in Hungary
Since there are several work permit types currently available in Hungary based on nationality, qualifications, and even the marital status of your intended employees, it makes sense to hire a professional to help you out with the application process instead of dumping this task on your HR specialist – who might be an expert on Hungarian labor law as well as recruitment procedures, but not necessarily on Hungarian immigration law.
Since the new government came into power this last spring, there have been talks of a reform of the current immigration system, with various key market players advocating for a more straightforward system for the hiring of foreign nationals. The discussions are in their initials phase, however, so drastic changes are not expected in the near future.
Get expert help
Helpers offers expert assistance with the entire process of hiring foreign nationals at your Hungarian company, whether they are EU or EAA nationals or third-country nationals. We have more than 20 years of experience supporting international clients living, working, and doing business in Hungary, and we would be happy to apply our accumulated know-how to make employing foreign nationals at your Hungarian company a stress-free experience.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
No, only third-country nationals need work permits in Hungary (so people who are not citizens of any EU or EEA member states).
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No, you do not necessarily need an immigration lawyer – you just need someone who can help you determine which work permit is the best match for your situation, and then help you navigate Hungarian bureaucracy. Helpers has 20+ years of experience with just that, and we would be happy to assist you.