The legislation on residence permits for guest workers has been amended

With an entry into force on 5 June 2026, Government Decree no. 92/2026 (of 5 June) on the amendment of Government Decree no. 450/2024 (of 23 December) on the employment of guest workers in Hungary amended the rules governing the issuance of residence permits for guest workers, and at the same time the Minister of Foreign Affairs withdrew Notice no. 2/2025 (of 9 January), issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which specified the list of countries as per Sections 1 (2) and 2 (2) of Government Decree no. 450/2024 (of 23 December) on the employment of guest workers in Hungary.

Based on the amended legislation, submitting an application for the issuance of a new residence permit for guest workers is not possible as of 6 June 2026, as, pursuant to a decision of the Government, there are no third countries whose nationals are eligible to apply for such a residence permit.

Procedures already in process based on prior applications are not affected by the amendment to the legislation, provided that the procedural administrative service fee was paid for the submission of the application for a residence permit for guest workers via the procedure initiation platform of the immigration authority up until 5 June 2026.

A third-country national holding a valid residence permit for guest workers prior to the entry into force of the amendment to the legislation may apply for the extension or reissuance of his/her residence permit for guest workers in accordance with the previously applicable legislation.

The amendment to the legislation does not affect the provisions governing applications for residence permits issued for other purposes; such permits are still subject to the same application provisions as set out in the legislation that has been in force to date. Further amendments to the legislation  are expected in the future with regards to the provisions of Government Decision no. 1153/2026 (of 18 May) on the employments of third-country nationals in Hungary comprehensive and out-of-turn review of the legislative provisions is necessary; therefore, the Government has ordered a review of the legislation and the preparation of related legislative measures.

Rules governing each purpose of residence in detail are available in the information notices provided on the website of the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing.