In order to facilitate the employment in Hungary of a Ukrainian citizen arriving in Hungary from Ukraine on or after 24 February 2022, the Government shall provide support to the employer. In this post, we present the options available so far, how Hungarian businesses can employ Ukrainian citizens and exactly what kind of support they can expect.

There are two options for employment
As a rule, a normal procedure is to submit a job application to the government office, this is published for a certain period of time, and if the job cannot be filled by a Hungarian worker, the Ukrainian (third-country) national is allowed to work. In addition, there are several other things to prove and ensure, including adequate income, savings, social security, etc.

A much simpler way is to create employment in so-called 'niche' occupations. Examples of such niche occupations are: IT, engineering or programming, with the exception of workers with qualifications such as construction technician, driver, construction worker, seamstress, carpenter and nurse. List of shortage occupations (from page 294) by clicking here available at.

Ukrainian citizens must provide proof of their qualifications to the employer when starting employment. According to the above, Ukrainian citizens can stay in Hungary visa-free for 90 days, but if they wish to work for more than 90 days, they must obtain a residence permit.

Aid amount, conditions, details
Whether the employment is in a shortage occupation or in a "normal" occupation, the benefit is available to all workers with Ukrainian citizenship or dual Ukrainian-Hungarian citizenship, provided that they are refugees fleeing the armed conflict in Ukraine and arrived in Hungary from Ukraine on or after 24 February 2022.

Basic features of the aid:

• Employment on or after 24 February 2022 (minimum 20 hours per week)
• Employment takes place in Hungary
  • aid may be granted at the employer's request.
• It can be granted to employers who meet the conditions set out in the labour market programme and have a registered office, a place of business or a branch in Hungary.
• The aid can be applied for from 11 March 2022, using the form provided for this purpose, by electronic means (e-Paper service; Subject: Government Office Affairs Case type: Employment subsidies, public employment and other public employment tasks To: Employment Department of the relevant county/capital government office Subject: subsidy for employment of a Ukrainian citizen)
  • the aid application is assessed by the authority within 8 days
  • the maximum duration of the grant is 12 months (renewable + 12 months), but not longer than the duration of the employment relationship.
• The allowance is paid monthly in arrears to the employer, who must use it to cover the employee's housing and travel costs.
• maximum 60 000 HUF/month
• aid is exempt from public tax.
• The amount of the allowance per worker per month shall be the amount of the worker's housing and travel expenses within the meaning of paragraph 4.
• 50 % of the cost of the training, which may not exceed a maximum of HUF 60 000 per worker, and
• an additional HUF 12 000 per child for minor children living in the same household as the employee.
• The employer undertakes to ensure that, for the duration of the employee's employment relationship in Hungary, the following will be provided for.
  • Accommodation in suitable conditions for the worker and, if necessary, for his/her minor child,
  • Providing organised transport to work.

If you cannot tell from the job title whether the job is suitable, we recommend you look up the FEOR number in the list, where you will find a job description for each job title. Click here for the list.

Easier to work with Hungarian-Ukrainian dual citizenship
For dual Hungarian-Ukrainian citizens, employment is the same as for Hungarian citizens, so no special permit is required.

If you are not a dual national and you want to employ
The employment of third-country nationals, including Ukrainian nationals, in Hungary is subject to authorisation.

Short and long-term employment
As a general rule, Ukrainian citizens are required to have a work permit for short-term employment, i.e. employment of less than 90 days within 180 days, and a single permit for long-term employment, i.e. employment of more than 90 days within 180 days.

Unauthorised employment

Ukrainian citizens fleeing the war can apply for asylum status in Hungary. Even with this status, their employment remains subject to a permit, except in cases where their employment is permit-free.

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The author is Dr. Roland Zsidi, senior lawyer at ICT Legal, Dr. Termel Law Office