Hungary has taken a firm step to limit the entry of guest workers from outside the European Union, marking an early and significant policy shift under its new prime minister, Peter Magyar, according to ORF News.
In a government decree published overnight, authorities announced that new residence permits will no longer be issued under the simplified system introduced by former Prime Minister Viktor Orban. The decision came into immediate effect. Magyar, who assumed office on May 9 after a decisive election victory in April, had promised such restrictions during his campaign.
The move affects a workforce of around 90,000 non-EU nationals currently employed in Hungary, about two percent of the country’s total workforce. Many of these workers come from the Philippines, Ukraine, China, Vietnam, and India, filling roles across key industries.
Magyar has argued that reducing reliance on foreign labor will open more job opportunities for Hungarian citizens and help prevent downward pressure on wages. His government also criticized the earlier system, which allowed relatively easy recruitment of non-EU workers through intermediary agencies, some of which were linked to business circles close to the previous administration.
While the new decree halts this streamlined process, it does not completely shut the door on foreign workers. Existing residence permits will remain valid until they expire, though the government has not clarified whether renewals will be granted.
The policy reflects a broader shift in Hungary’s labor and migration strategy, balancing economic needs with political promises. For many foreign workers already in the country, however, the future remains uncertain as the rules begin to change.
