Hungary work visa: Hiring organisations must be from Nigeria with an office in Hungary

Hungary enforced a new regulation under Government Decree 450/2024, stipulating that citizens from third-country nations, such as Nigeria, can only qualify for work visas and residence permits if their organisation has an established office within Hungary.

This change aims to streamline the employment of foreign nationals and ensure compliance with national regulations.

According to the Government Decree, “citizens of other third countries can also be employed in Hungary with a residence permit for employment and a residence permit for guest workers, if their country has an organization or office in Hungary officially recognised by that country which commits to ensuring compliance with Hungarian national and European Union legislation on the admission and residence of third-country nationals”.

Hungary has implemented a significant change in its immigration policies under Government Decree 450/2024, effective January 2025. While citizens from countries like Georgia and Armenia are exempt from the new rule and can directly obtain residence permits for employment, other third-country nationals face stricter requirements.

These updated regulations reflect Hungary’s effort to balance the influx of foreign talent with tighter controls. For workers from non-listed countries, securing employment in Hungary will now require their hiring organisation to have an established office within the country.

This shift places greater emphasis on collaboration with recognised organisations, making strategic partnerships essential for hiring workers from third countries.

Hungarian employers are thus advised to adjust their recruitment strategies to comply with the new rules. Consequently, this policy change is set to redefine hiring processes, ensuring compliance and fostering closer cooperation with international partners.