Following the recent elections in Hungary, the TISZA party has secured the largest number of parliamentary mandates. In its pre‑election programme, TISZA outlined proposed changes to Hungary’s immigration framework, including an indefinite ban on the admission of (non-EU third country national) guest workers from 1 June 2026, as well as the termination of the guest investor (“Golden Visa”) programme.
Ahead of the elections, TISZA developed a policy programme that included a number of immigration‑related commitments. Among these is a proposal to tighten the regulatory framework by introducing an indefinite ban—effective from 1 June 2026—on the admission of guest workers from outside Europe. The party has indicated that the measure is intended to prevent the mass inflow of guest workers.
The stated objectives of the proposed restrictions include protecting wage levels, moderating real estate prices and reducing social tensions. At this stage, detailed plans are not yet disclosed, and it remains unclear how the measures would affect foreign nationals already residing and working legally in Hungary.
Under the current framework, the Hungarian immigration system—shaped by the current government—allows for the admission of non-highly qualified third-country national workers through a range of guest worker-type residence permits, including permits linked to preferential employers, temporary work agencies, and investment projects.
The scale of this measure is reflected in data published by the National Directorate—General for Aliens Policing, according to which guest worker—type residence permit applications accounted for at least 30% of all applications in 2025 (at least 36,518 out of 124,704). This figure does not include guest worker-related permits issued in connection with investment projects, which may result in significantly higher numbers of foreign workers.
In addition to the proposed restrictions on guest workers, TISZA has also announced its intention to abolish the guest investor residence scheme (“Golden Visa”), which currently allows third‑country nationals to obtain long‑term residence permits on the basis of qualifying investments. The party has stated that the scheme lacks transparency and may pose national security risks.
The pre-election programme signals a clear intention to move away from the large-scale employment of guest workers. This is likely to have the greatest impact on investment-related guest worker permits, as well as permits issued via registered preferential employers and qualified temporary work agencies, which are the routes for facilitating larger inflows of workers in the context of foreign-backed industrial projects.
While guest worker‑type permits are often associated with lower‑skilled roles, some permits are currently issued for positions that require specific qualifications. This trend has partly emerged as a result of the immigration framework introduced in 2024, which narrowed access to standard work permit routes. As a result, certain third‑country nationals have relied on guest worker categories despite being engaged in individually assessed employment arrangements. It remains unclear whether such cases would fall within the intended scope of the proposed restrictions.
Importantly, no information has yet been provided on transitional arrangements or on the potential treatment of guest workers who are already lawfully residing and working in Hungary. Further clarification will be required to assess timelines, exemptions and practical impacts.
At the same time, the stated intention to abolish the guest investor residence scheme suggests that residence pathways linked to investment are unlikely to be maintained in their current form.
Our immigration team in Hungary actively monitors legislative developments to keep clients informed. The analysis above is based on the TISZA party’s pre‑election programme, and we are closely tracking further developments as more clarity emerges regarding scope and implementation. As additional information becomes available, we will share updates promptly and remain available to address any questions.
For a deeper discussion on the above, please reach out to your Vialto Partners point of contact, or alternatively:
Dénes Megyesi
Director
Kata Magyar
Manager
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