Employment

Foreign citizens may work only with meeting specified requirements in Hungary . As a rule of thumb, employment requires a permit.

There are exceptions in connection partly with the activities, and partly with the person.

Simultaneously, different rules apply to the citizens of individual member countries of the European Economical Area (further: EEA). Citizens of EEA member countries must be registered at the relevant Labour Centre.

In case of employment subject to authorization, employment without a permit has two significant consequences: the employer has to pay a penalty and the expat employee will be expelled.

Omission of the registration obligation may result in infliction of penalty on the employer.

Residence

In the possession of valid personal identification documents or a passport, the citizens of EEA countries may enter Hungary and reside in the territory of the Hungarian Republic without any special permits for less than 93 days, and within this period they do not need to have their address registered. When residing longer than 90 days, EEA citizens and their family members have to apply for a registration cad (which certifies the authorization for residence) at the relevant Immigration Office.

For reasons of employment, or other income gaining activities subject to authorization, non-EEA citizens and their family members may enter the territory of the Hungarian Republic only in the possession of a residence permit according to the purpose of residence. Citizens of countries without visa obligation may submit their permit applications also in Hungary , provided that they did not reside in the Schengen area for a period exceeding that of specified in the legal regulations.

Important to know: if employment/delegation of a foreign citizen ends, the employer has to report this both to the relevant Labour Centre and to the Immigration Office. The foreign citizen has the same obligation towards the Immigration Office.

What kind of documents should expats
bring along?

• Passport, or in case of EEA citizens, the personal identification document. (For citizens of third countries it is important that the passport should remain valid at least for 1.5 years!)
• In case of third countries' citizens, the original or notarized education documents (if they will work in Hungary )
• In case of spouses, the original or notarized marriage certificate
• In case of children, the original or notarized birth certificates.

Relocation of pets

From 1 October 2004, the so-called ‘pet passport’ makes transport of pets within the EU easier. Each cat and dog has to possess this passport, which is an accepted proof of the fact that the pet has received a vaccination against rabies. This passport also includes other information on previous medical treatments and check-ups.

Within the EU, the ‘pet passport’ can be applied for at any vet who is entitled to vaccinate against rabies. The appearance and wording of such a passport is uniform throughout the entire EU.

As per EU regulation, besides the pet passport, the pet should provide a well and clearly legible tattoo or an electronic identification system (microchip). From the effective date of the regulation (03. July 2004), such a tattoo shall be deemed acceptable over an eight year transition period, but after that, only the microchip identification shall be accepted.

At present, in addition to the above, people traveling with pets to Ireland, Sweden, Malta or United Kingdom are required to present a test certificate performed after vaccination against rabies in order to check whether the vaccination has proven effective.