Residence permit for employment purposes

What is a residence permit for employment purposes?

Those arriving in Hungary for long-term employment (more than 90 days) must have the appropriate permit to start the employment relationship. One form of this is a residence permit for employment purposes.

The permit type is one of the types of permits subject to the merged permit procedure, which provides the right to reside and work at the same time.

This permit belongs to the category of guest worker permits introduced from 2024, one of the types of permits that allow you to work in Hungary.

Who can apply for an employment residence permit?

Non-EEA citizens can apply for an employment residence permit, regardless of their level of education.

This is the appropriate type of permit for non-EEA nationals who:

  • do not have a higher education degree, or
  • In other respects, they do not meet the special requirements of the types of permits that can be requested by highly competent persons.

For which employment cases can the residence permit for employment purposes be applied?

A residence permit for employment purposes may be requested in the following cases:

  • Local employment contract with a domestic employer
  • Whose employment in Hungary is based on their employment relationship with an employer established in a third country in order to fulfil an agreement concluded with a domestic employer

Workforce leasing is not permitted.

What does an employment residence permit entitle to?

The residence permit for employment purposes entitles its holder to work for a specific employer, place of work and position, as well as to reside in Hungary during the period of validity of the permit.

How long is a residence permit for employment purposes valid?

The residence permit for employment purposes may be applied for a maximum of 2 years for the first time and may then be renewed for up to 1 additional year.

After three years, an application for a new residence permit for employment purposes (and not for its renewal) may be submitted domestically no later than 40 days before the expiry of the validity period.

In addition, the validity of the permit is also affected by the applicant’s passport: the validity of the residence permit for employment purposes must be determined in such a way that the passport remains valid for at least three months after the expiry of the permit.

When considering the application for a permit, the office is entitled to limit the permit to a shorter period than the requested time, if it considers it justified based on any circumstances (e.g. health insurance, housing).

Situation of family members

Family members cannot join holders of permits belonging to the category of guest workers in Hungary, this also applies to residence permits for employment purposes.

An exception to this is if the holder of the residence permit for employment purposes has a child born in Hungary. For them the authority issues a residence permit for family reunification purposes based on the employee’s (family’s supporter) employment permit.

If the family member has an independent legal basis for residence (e.g. employment, studies), he or she can apply for an appropriate residence permit.

A family member who held a valid residence permit for family reunification on 01.01.2024 may extend his/her permit continuously even if he/she would no longer be entitled to a family member’s permit for the type of residence permit issued to the dependant under the new law.

Specific requirements for applying for an employment residence permit

The Immigration Act allows the relevant minister to determine for which jobs an employment permit cannot be requested. Currently, there are no such restrictions on jobs that can be filled with an employment residence permit.

According to the law, the competent minister can also determine which nationals may apply for such a permit. Currently, there are no nationality restrictions related to this type of permit, citizens of any country can apply for a residence permit for employment purposes.

In addition to the above, the salary must comply with the generally applicable minimum wage (based on FEOR number) for the job.

Application process

An application for an employment residence permit may be submitted in possession of a specific job offer, subject to prior agreement on a specific employer, place of work and position.

If the applicant is not present in Hungary, the first application is submitted in person at the Hungarian consulate located in his/her country of origin or residence.

If you are a citizen of a non-visa country and entered Hungary as a tourist, you can apply for your first application online, through the EnterHungary website of the immigration office.

If the applicant is already in Hungary and renews his/her permit, he/she must submit his/her application for extension online. The request for extension shall be submitted no later than 30 days before the expiry of the period of validity.

If the holder of an employment residence permit applies for a new employment permit in Hungary after the first three years, he may submit his application no later than 40 days before the expiry date of his permit.

The period for consideration of an application for an employment residence permit is 70 days.

Change of jobs

If there is a change in employment data (position, place of work) or a change of job, the employee must apply for a new permit for employment purposes, considering the maximum validity period. Only after the permit has been issued can you start working under new conditions of employment or with a new employer.

Change of permit type

The residence permit for employment purposes may not be exchanged for another type of permit in the Hungary territory. If the holder of a residence permit for employment purposes wishes to switch to any other type of permit, he must interrupt his stay in Hungary and submit his application for a new permit as the first application (according to the rules detailed in the previous paragraph). In such a case, the application for a new permit may be submitted once the residence permit for employment purposes has become invalid.

Possibility of permanent residence

The possibility of applying for the National residence card – which is a type of long-term residence (permanent residence) – is excluded by law in the case of permits falling within the scope of guest worker permits.

Employers' obligations in the case of employees employed with a permit covered by guest worker permits

It is the employer’s responsibility for the employee to leave the Schengen zone within 6 days of the expiry or withdrawal of the permit.

If you need help applying for an Employment Residence Permit, please contact our office using the contact details on the website.

Official information about the application process and the necessary forms can be found on the website of the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing.

Information on the processing fees for licence applications can be found here.

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