Hungary is an increasingly popular destination for international workers looking for employment in Central Europe. The country has a large manufacturing sector, growing technology industry, international business services, tourism, healthcare, logistics, engineering and automotive industries.
For foreigners, the difficulty of finding a job in Hungary depends heavily on nationality, professional qualifications, language skills, occupation and immigration status. Budapest has the largest concentration of international companies and English-speaking positions, while other Hungarian cities offer opportunities particularly in manufacturing, automotive, logistics and engineering.
Hungary's immigration rules for third-country workers are subject to specific eligibility conditions. Since June 6, 2026, Hungary has suspended new applications for the guest-worker residence permit because no third countries are currently designated as eligible for new applications under that route. Other employment residence permits remain available subject to their individual requirements.
Yes. Foreign nationals can work in Hungary, but the requirements depend on whether they are citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area, Switzerland, or a third country.
EU and EEA citizens generally have significantly easier access to the Hungarian labour market than non-EEA nationals. EEA nationals who intend to stay in Hungary for more than 90 days may need to register their residence and demonstrate the relevant basis for residence, such as employment.
Switzerland is included in the EEA-related free-movement framework used by Hungarian immigration authorities for these purposes, although the precise rules depend on the individual's circumstances.
Citizens of countries outside the EU and EEA face additional immigration requirements. A residence permit may be required before employment can begin, and the available permit category depends on the person's nationality, job, qualifications and purpose of stay.
Hungary's immigration authority states that the rules for residence permits for employment and guest-worker permits are governed by specific legislation and eligibility conditions.
Do not assume that a normal tourist or visa-free stay allows you to take employment in Hungary. Foreign workers should verify the appropriate residence and employment permit before starting work.
The strongest opportunities for international workers are generally found in industries with international companies, technical skills shortages, multilingual customer service, or significant foreign investment.
Hungary has experienced labour shortages in several occupational groups. EURES reported shortages in areas including building and related trades, personal service workers and labourers in mining, construction, manufacturing and transport.
This means foreigners with practical skills, technical experience or specialist qualifications may find opportunities outside Budapest as well as in the capital.
| City | Major Employment Sectors |
|---|---|
| Budapest | IT, finance, business services, tourism, consulting, education |
| Debrecen | Manufacturing, automotive, healthcare, education, technology |
| Győr | Automotive, engineering, manufacturing, logistics |
| Szeged | Technology, research, education, healthcare, services |
| Pécs | Healthcare, education, tourism, services |
| Kecskemét | Automotive, manufacturing, engineering, logistics |
Hungarian salaries vary considerably by occupation, location, education and experience. Budapest and international companies generally offer higher salaries than many regional labour markets.
According to the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH), full-time employees had average gross monthly earnings of HUF 764,100 in May 2026. The median gross monthly earnings were HUF 615,600.
| Job Sector | Typical Relative Salary Level |
|---|---|
| IT & Software | Above national average |
| Engineering | Above national average |
| Finance & Banking | Above national average |
| Business Services | Around to above national average |
| Manufacturing | Varies by position and experience |
| Hospitality | Generally below specialist professional salaries |
| Entry-Level Jobs | Usually below experienced professional salaries |
For current salary statistics, it is better to use the latest KSH figures rather than relying on old fixed salary estimates, because Hungarian wages change significantly from year to year. KSH reported that full-time average gross earnings for the whole of 2025 were HUF 705,000 per month.
Hungarian is an important advantage when looking for work in Hungary, but it is not required for every position.
Learning Hungarian can significantly expand the number of jobs available to you, particularly outside international companies and Budapest.
The immigration process depends on your nationality and the type of work you intend to perform.
EEA nationals exercising a lawful basis of residence such as employment can reside in Hungary under the applicable free-movement rules. For stays exceeding 90 days, a registration certificate procedure may apply.
Third-country nationals may require a residence permit for employment or another appropriate residence title. The Hungarian immigration authority requires documents demonstrating the purpose of residence, such as an employment agreement or preliminary employment agreement, together with documents demonstrating the other conditions for residence.
The rules can change, so applicants should check the current requirements with the Hungarian National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing before applying.
👉 Learn more: Hungary Work Visa Guide
Hungary changed its guest-worker rules in June 2026. According to the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing, from June 6, 2026 there is currently no third country whose nationals are eligible to submit a new application for a guest-worker residence permit. Existing cases and certain extensions are treated under transitional rules.
Therefore, foreigners should not rely on older websites describing Hungary's guest-worker scheme without checking whether the information is still current.
A professional CV should clearly show your education, professional experience, technical skills, languages and contact information.
English-speaking jobs are particularly common in Budapest's multinational business services, technology, finance and international corporate sectors.
Foreign-language skills can also provide an advantage. Companies serving German, French, Italian, Spanish or other international markets may recruit multilingual employees for customer service, finance, sales and shared-service positions.
Hungary hosts numerous international companies, particularly in automotive manufacturing, technology, finance, pharmaceuticals, logistics and business services. These employers can be particularly attractive to foreigners because their working languages may include English and other international languages.
Budapest is usually the easiest starting point for international workers because it has the country's largest concentration of multinational companies, universities, business-service centres and international communities.
However, workers in manufacturing, automotive and engineering may find better opportunities in cities such as Győr, Debrecen and Kecskemét.
Your ideal location should therefore depend on the industry, employer and commuting requirements rather than salary alone.
Hungary can be an attractive destination for foreigners who have qualifications matching local demand, particularly in technology, engineering, manufacturing, finance, business services and specialized professional occupations.
The country's lower living costs compared with many Western European countries can also make Hungarian salaries more competitive in terms of purchasing power, although this varies considerably by city, rent and lifestyle.
Yes. EU/EEA citizens generally have easier access to employment, while third-country nationals must satisfy the requirements of the appropriate Hungarian immigration route.
It depends on your profession, nationality, language skills and experience. International companies in Budapest can be particularly suitable for English-speaking professionals, while Hungarian language skills broaden the available job market.
Not necessarily. Many international companies use English, especially in IT, finance, engineering and business services. However, Hungarian can significantly improve your employment options.
EU and EEA citizens benefit from free-movement rules and generally have substantially simpler employment and residence procedures than third-country nationals.
Yes, but they normally need an appropriate residence status and must satisfy the conditions applicable to their nationality and employment category. Hungary's immigration rules are currently subject to significant changes, so applicants should check the latest official requirements before making plans.
IT, software development, engineering, automotive, finance, business services, manufacturing, logistics and selected healthcare professions can offer opportunities for international workers.
KSH reported average gross monthly earnings of HUF 764,100 for full-time employees in May 2026, while median gross earnings were HUF 615,600. Individual salaries can be substantially higher or lower depending on occupation, experience and location.