Working in Hungary

Finding a job in Hungary: job search and getting a permit

There are several ways for foreigners to look for work in Hungary. The main ones are:

• Contacting an agency or recruiting company - such organizations offer a platform to post your resume. For a fee, they will help prepare all the necessary documents and compile a list of potential employers. Some recruiting companies have direct contacts with large enterprises and organizations and may be able to arrange formal employment for those who approach them.
• An independent search on specialized websites and forums - there are many resources, including Russian-language ones, that publish job openings. In addition, as in other EU countries, LinkedIn is widely used in Hungary for finding and building business contacts. You can also try joining relevant groups in messaging apps, where fellow foreigners share information about job-search features and conditions.
• Registering with the state employment service - this option is more suitable for those already in the country who cannot find a suitable job on their own.

Once a suitable position has been found, you need to obtain a work permit - this is a mandatory condition for formal employment in Hungary. The employer handles preparing the permit - the document states the place of work, position and period of employment, and notes that local labor resources are insufficient and there is a need to hire an employee from another country.

There are several types of permits depending on the nature and specifics of the work performed. As a rule, a permit is issued for 1 year with the possibility of further extension. If the work is temporary or seasonal in nature, a temporary permit is prepared for up to 12 months, without the possibility of extension. Foreign nationals permanently residing in Hungary can obtain a permit for a term of up to 5 years right away.

It's important to note that EU citizens and their family members do not need to obtain a work permit.

Salary levels

Hungary is a middle-income country, so salaries cannot be called high. In 2023, the minimum wage is HUF 232,000 for regular workers and HUF 296,000 for skilled specialists - roughly EUR 600 and EUR 770 respectively.

At the same time, due to the emigration of the local population to other, wealthier EU countries, employers are forced to keep raising salaries to attract new workers. As a result, the average salary is around EUR 1,500.

It's important to keep in mind that the figures given are approximate and depend on the specific job, the worker's qualifications, and other factors. In addition, income is taxed, which also somewhat reduces the take-home amount.

The process of formal employment in Hungary

In general terms, the whole process of formal employment in Hungary looks like this:

• Searching for and selecting a job opening, posting your own resume on specialized websites.
• Going through an interview with the employer online, providing the necessary documents and receiving an invitation.
• The employer arranging a work permit for Hungary.
• The foreign national obtaining a work visa based on the invitation received.
• Relocating to Hungary and submitting documents for a residence permit.

It's worth noting separately how the work visa is arranged. Work visa documents are submitted to the official representation of Hungary in the Russian Federation. To process it, the applicant needs to pay a consular fee and service and postal charges. The application is usually reviewed within 1 to 3 months, but in some cases this period can extend to half a year. The first time, the visa is issued for 1 year, but it can be extended afterward. To do so, you need to present the current work visa to the migration service, a letter from the employer about extending the employment contract, and a valid residence permit, which is issued upon initial employment.

It's important to keep in mind that you should start looking for housing as soon as you reach an agreement with an employer. If you don't, you won't be able to obtain a work visa.

Features of employment in Hungary for foreigners

Current Hungarian law does not impose any special requirements on foreigners wishing to move to the country for subsequent employment. All applicants must meet basic conditions: no criminal record, no violations of EU migration law, and sufficient experience and qualifications to perform the stated job duties.

At the same time, keep in mind that employers always give priority to local residents and EU citizens. If nobody responds to a posted vacancy, labor migrants start to be considered as candidates.

A foreigner looking for work in Hungary would greatly benefit from having basic knowledge of Hungarian or English, since this significantly increases their chances of employment. In addition, for a skilled position, work experience matters - most companies want to see specialists with at least 2 years of experience.

Regardless of the position chosen, any foreigner seeking employment in Hungary needs to be in the country on a legal basis and hold all the required permit documentation.

It's also worth noting separately that trying to move to the country illegally and take up unofficial employment is definitely a bad idea. Both the employer and the employee face a fine for violating legal requirements. In addition, an illegal migrant can be detained and forcibly deported from the country with a ban on future entry. Any such violation of EU migration law will later significantly complicate visiting these countries regardless of the purpose.

So, to be formally employed in Hungary, the following documents will be needed:

• an invitation from a Hungarian employer;
• a valid international passport;
• an application for a work visa;
• color photographs;
• a bank account statement;
• a certificate confirming a place of residence;
• health insurance;
• a certificate of no criminal record;
• a receipt for payment of the consular fee.

A combination of these factors means that most job openings in Hungary for foreigners are for positions that are not in particular demand among local residents and EU citizens.

Popular jobs among Russians

There are many job openings in Hungary, but among foreigners, including Russians, the most common are those that are not in demand among local residents. These are primarily in the service sector, construction, trade, the automotive industry, and agriculture, especially during harvest season.

It's worth noting that demand for particular kinds of workers can vary by region. For example, in the capital it will be easier to find work in the service sector.

As for highly skilled workers, the biggest shortages are in the IT sector and medicine.

Advantages and disadvantages of working in Hungary

The main advantage of working in Hungary is obtaining a residence permit with the possibility of later applying for permanent residency and citizenship. Hungarian labor law is quite well developed, so regardless of the position chosen, all migrants can count on comfortable working conditions and compliance with all rights and guarantees.

Other advantages of moving to Hungary for employment purposes are worth noting too:

• The possibility of moving with your family and enrolling children in local educational institutions.
• Receiving social assistance, including unemployment benefits.
• The possibility of career growth with further relocation to more developed and wealthier EU countries.
• A low personal-income-tax rate.
• The right to move freely across EU countries.

There are few disadvantages to working in Hungary. The main ones can be considered the not-especially-high salaries compared with other EU countries and the need to learn the official language. Having a basic knowledge of the language is essentially a mandatory condition for working at Hungarian companies. Foreigners who speak fluent English can get jobs at various international companies. It's possible to find work with Russian alone, but you shouldn't count on a high salary or career growth.

Given the above, it can be said that jobs for Russians exist in Hungary, and there shouldn't be problems finding openings. Salary levels are lower than the EU average, but still several times higher than in Russia.

Hungarian residence permit through work

A foreigner with a work visa has the right to apply for a residence permit for the entire duration of the employment contract. To do this, they need to gather and submit the following to the authorized body:

• the work visa;
• a work permit from the employer;
• the employment contract;
• an education document;
• a bank account statement;
• a document confirming a place of residence.

A state fee has to be paid to obtain a Hungarian residence permit, and its amount depends on where the application is filed. The residence permit can later be extended by resubmitting all the necessary documents.