How to apply work visa for Hungary in 2023?
About the country
The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the solid economic growth performance in 2016-19, which entailed significant increases in employment and real incomes and the lowest unemployment rate in thirty years. The swift vaccination rollout allows faster recovery from the pandemic from mid-2021 onwards. In August 2022, the average number of employed persons aged 15–74 years was 4 million 713 thousand. In the June–August period of 2022, the average number of employed persons equalled 4 million 711 thousand, 52 thousand more than in the previous year. In July 2022, full-time employees’ gross average earnings were HUF 500,000, while average net earnings with tax benefits reached HUF 344,700. Average gross earnings grew by 15.3%, and average net earnings were 16.0% higher than a year earlier. The growth of the minimum wage and minimum wage for skilled workers and the previously scheduled and additional wage increases contributed in the first place to the increase in average earnings. Actual earnings rose by 1.4% compared with the previous year.
Hungary is desirable for businesses and international talent due to its membership in the European Union (EU) and the Schengen Treaty. However, you must know the many rules and restrictions if your business intends to build a new site in Hungary. Do you know how each foreign worker in Hungary might obtain a work visa?
Work permit in Hungary
Non-EU nationals working in Hungary usually need a work permit (except as directors under certain conditions). Many clients are unaware that the first step in this process is finding a position and signing a labour contract – and many employers are not clear on the procedure and need our help. Please consult us if you want to be employed in Hungary or plan on using a non-EU citizen!
Working in Hungary
While EU nationals working in Hungary do not need work visas, non-EU citizens generally require a permit to operate. This is true whether they are employed with a Hungarian company through a labour contract or with their own company. The only exception is for non-EU nationals doing business in Hungary who work for their own business as directors. Suppose the director does any company-related work unrelated to management (e.g., in a one-person programming firm where the director also works as a programmer). In that case, he may need to apply for a work permit. To be sure and to avoid unpleasant surprises or delays, it is best to speak to an immigration expert.
Work permit application
The work permit application is currently made as part of the residency application through the Hungarian immigration office. The procedure must start with a valid labour contract between the applicant and a Hungarian company – it is impossible to apply for a work permit in advance and look for a job later. The procedure is quite complex and time-consuming, so make sure you speak to us if you plan to work in Hungary or are looking to employ a foreigner.
Types of Work Visas in Hungary
All non-EU citizens must have a work visa and work permit to live and work in Hungary. As the employer, you’re responsible for most of the process, including providing documents to the immigration authorities. Some of the options include:
- Individual work permits: Foreign nationals wanting to work in Hungary for no more than 90 days over 180 days should apply for an individual work permit.
- Joint work permits: Joint work permits are for foreign nationals intending to work in Hungary for over 90 days within 180 days.
- Residence permits: Residence permits, also known as tartózkodási engedély, permit residency for up to 90 days.
- Single application procedure: A third-country national can stay in Hungary for more than 90 days but less than 180 days through the single application procedure. This permit is based on an employment relationship with a Hungarian employer.
In addition to a work permit, your employees will need a Hungary work visa. Available visa types are as follows:
- Seasonal employment visa: Anyone working in agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, or fishing must have a work permit and a seasonal employment visa. This visa counts for single and multiple entries and allows the applicant to work for over three but fewer than six months.
- EU Blue Card: Any high-skill worker from an EU member country can get an EU Blue Card if they have a residence permit. To be eligible, they must prove 18 months of lawful stay in a member state.
- Schengen business visa: Non-European citizens travelling to a Schengen country for short-term business purposes can get this visa for single or multiple entries. It allows holders to stay in the country for 90 days over six months.
- Working Schengen visa: Anyone travelling to Hungary for short-term employment opportunities should apply for this visa.
Requirements to Obtain Hungary Work Visas
After meeting numerous requirements, you must obtain work permits for all employees. First, advertise the job in the Hungarian Labor Office for 15 days to allow unemployed Hungarian nationals to apply. Then, submit a valid workforce request to the regional branch of the labour centre. Hungary has quotas for foreign employees, and your number of work permits for foreigners can be, at most, the average number of workers requested by employers during the previous year.
From there, you can follow the general or simplified procedure. The labour centre will decide whether you can get the work permit within 10 to 30 days of your application. Once approved, you’ll get a resolution issued by the labour centre.
Application Process
Every Hungary working visa has a different application process. For example, some employees may be eligible for an EU Blue Card. They’ll need to:
- Have a valid travel document
- Certify the purpose of their entry and exit
- Meet the legal employment conditions
- Have full-coverage health insurance
- Report a valid address for their stay in Hungary
The application procedure involves submitting a valid passport, biometric data, an application, and the documents above. After approving the EU Blue Card, the regional directorate will grant permission to issue a residence permit visa and notify the Consular Officers.
Other Important Considerations
If you want to employ European Economic Area (EEA) citizens, remember that you don’t need to create an employment arrangement or acquire work permits. However, you must notify the Labor Center about employment and provide specific data, including the number of people employed, their age, citizenship, qualifications, and more. The Hungarian Employment Center will verify the notification, which you should keep three years after terminating the employee.
Hot jobs Demond in Hungary:
Sectors where you have an excellent chance to find a job in Hungary quickly in 2020/2021:
1. IT
2. Marketing, Sales and Business Communication
3. HR
4. Accounting and Financial
5. Customer Services, SSC
6. Automotive, Construction
7. Mechanical Engineering
8. Health Sector
Shortage of Occupations in Hungary 2020:
01. Elementary Workers Not Elsewhere Classified (ISCO 9239)
02. Manufacturing Labourers Not Elsewhere Classified (ISCO 9310)
03. Building Construction Labourers (ISCO 9329)
04. Mixed Crop and Livestock Farm Labourers (ISCO 9331)
05. Cleaners and Helpers in Offices, Hotels and other Establishments (ISCO 9112)
06. Kitchen Helpers (ISCO 9112)
07. General Office Clerks (ISCO 9236)
08. Other Cleaning Workers (ISCO 4112)
09. Mechanical Machinery Assemblers (ISCO 9119)
10. Heavy Truck and Lorry Drivers (ISCO 8211)
11. Hand Packers (ISCO 8417)
12. Personal Care Workers in Health Services Not Elsewhere Classified (ISCO 9225)
12. Shop Sales Assistants (ISCO 5229)
13. Cooks (ISCO 5113)
14. Assemblers Not Elsewhere Classified (ISCO 5134)
15. Freight Handlers (ISCO 8219)
16. Civil Engineering Labourers (ISCO 9223)
17. Structural Metal Preparers and Erectors (ISCO 7321)
18. Bricklayers and Related Workers (ISCO 7511)
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