Employment Residence Permit in Hungary in 2026
Hungary's residence permit for the purpose of employment is a specific legal category, not a generic label for every foreign worker.
Current nationality restriction
Current OIF guidance states that, under Government Decree No. 450/2024, new applications in this category are available to nationals of Georgia, Armenia and the Republic of the Philippines. Other highly qualified or special cases may need a different route such as the EU Blue Card or Hungarian Card.
This should not be confused with the separate guest-worker residence permit. OIF announced that new guest-worker applications are not possible from 6 June 2026.
Validity
The employment residence permit is issued for up to 2 years and may be extended by up to 1 further year, but total validity cannot exceed 3 years from first issuance.
Important restrictions
Current OIF guidance also makes this a relatively restrictive route: ordinary family reunification is not available to the holder, apart from the narrow statutory case for a child born in Hungary; switching to another residence title in Hungary during or after this permit is restricted; and holders may not obtain a national residence card.
Do not equate this route with every Hungarian “work visa.”
Official guidance: Employment Residence Permit.
Related: Hungary immigration hub, methodology, and the legal disclaimer.
Official and supporting sources
- Hungarian NDGAP/OIF — Employment Residence Permitgovernment · accessed 2026-09-22