The Tisza government will suspend the issuance of work permits for third-country nationals (non-EU citizens) starting June 1, 2026. The exact legal text, transitional rules, and the status of applications already submitted are expected to be published in the Hungarian Gazette within days. Employer associations have voiced concerns, while several companies have already accelerated their recruitment efforts since April. Here is what you need to know.
Topic of the Week — What Is the Suspension About?
According to the announcement made by Minister of Economy István Kapitány on May 2, 2026, the government will suspend the issuance of work permits for third-country nationals from June 1 onward. However, several key details remain unclear, particularly regarding pending applications, permit renewals, and the future of the annual quota of 35,000 permits for 2025–2026.
Ferenc Rolek, Vice President of MGYOSZ (National Association of Entrepreneurs and Employers), told Világgazdaság:
“A complete ban would be nonsense and is inconceivable.”
Viktor Göltl of the WHC Group told Index that in the event of a full suspension:
“By the beginning of the third quarter of 2026, certain production lines would no longer be able to start operations at all.”
Key Questions Still Unanswered
Over the past month, several employer organizations have criticized the lack of consultation regarding the planned measures. Employment policy has been transferred to the Ministry of Social and Family Affairs, but the responsible State Secretary has not yet been officially designated.
Four key questions remain unanswered:
- What will happen to applications submitted before June 1 but not yet processed?
- Will renewals be allowed for foreign workers already employed in Hungary?
- Will the annual quota system of 35,000 permits remain in place?
- What will happen to the current rule allowing international students at Hungarian universities to work up to 30 hours per week?
Meanwhile, according to HR Portal, companies have already begun taking action. Employers are bringing forward permit renewals for fixed-term workers, and those considering hiring foreign employees have accelerated their plans. According to Bulcsú Baradits of Man at Work, these measures are currently taking place on a relatively small scale, typically involving 5–10 workers at a time.
Number of the Week
At the end of February 2026, there were 16,068 Filipino workers employed in Hungary, compared to 3,142 in 2021, an increase of 412% in five years.
At the same time, the number of Ukrainian workers fell from 55,496 to 14,298, a decline of 74%.
The composition of Hungary’s industrial workforce has not merely shifted slightly, it has been fundamentally reshaped.
Accommodation & Workforce Housing Radar
- The Hungarian Trade Union Confederation (Liga Szakszervezetek), represented by Melinda Mészáros, is calling for expanded affordable housing programs and additional workforce accommodation projects to offset the effects of the suspension.
- The annual quota of 35,000 permits was not fully utilized in 2025, suggesting that labor market demand had already begun to cool, raising questions about the necessity of a complete suspension.
- Samsung SDI laid off more than 1,000 employees at the end of 2025. At the same time, the expansion of CATL and BYD may gradually offset part of the decline in labor demand. Meanwhile, the number of Chinese workers in Hungary increased from 3,233 to 12,366 over the past five years.
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Sources:
Portfolio.hu (05.26.) https://www.portfolio.hu/gazdasag/20260526/napokon-belul-erkezik-a-tisza-kormany-nagy-tiltasa-839072 · Világgazdaság (05.27.) https://www.vg.hu/vilaggazdasag-magyar-gazdasag/2026/05/vendegmunkasstop-gyarak-tisza-kormany-kapitany-istvan · Index.hu (05.23.) https://index.hu/gazdasag/2026/05/23/vendegmunkas-stop-kapitany-istvan-whc-csoport-goltl-viktor-ipar-gazdasag/ · Telex.hu (05.15.) https://telex.hu/gazdasag/2026/05/15/vendegmunkas-tisza-munkaerostop-munkaerohiany · HR Portál (04.28.) https://www.hrportal.hu/hr/tobb-ceg-is-lepett-a-tisza-altal-beigert-vendegmunkasstop-elott-20260428.html
