Quick summary: Hungary has stopped issuing new work visas to citizens of the Philippines, Georgia and Armenia as part of a labour market reform aimed at protecting local jobs and wages. The change is expected to reduce employment opportunities for Filipinos seeking work in Hungary, although those already in the country can still extend their permits and pending applications will continue to be processed. The policy highlights growing political pressure across Europe to balance labour shortages with domestic employment priorities, despite foreign workers making up only about 2% of Hungary’s workforce.
Hungary has stopped issuing new worker visas to citizens of the Philippines, along with applicants from Georgia and Armenia, as part of a labour market overhaul introduced by the country’s new government.
The restrictions took effect on Friday and fulfil a campaign pledge by Prime Minister Peter Magyar’s Tisza party, which won a landslide victory in Hungary’s parliamentary elections on 12 April. The party had promised to halt the issuance of visas to workers from outside the European Union from June.
The move is expected to affect future employment opportunities for Filipinos seeking work in Hungary through recruitment agencies. Under the changes, the government will amend a decree that had allowed manpower companies to recruit workers from the Philippines, Georgia and Armenia through a simplified procedure.
Government spokeswoman Vanda Szondi said the reforms are intended to protect Hungarian workers and address concerns that foreign labour could place downward pressure on local wages.
Filipinos already working in Hungary will not be affected immediately. Existing employees can continue to apply for permit extensions, while visa applications submitted before the new rules came into force will still be assessed.
The policy comes despite foreign workers accounting for only around 2% of Hungary’s workforce, according to official statistics. Nevertheless, industries including manufacturing and services have relied on overseas workers to fill labour shortages.
In its election manifesto, Tisza said it would not allow foreign guest workers to take jobs from Hungarians and reduce salary levels. The visa restrictions are among the first labour market measures introduced by the new administration.
Some of Hungary’s largest foreign investors have warned that limiting the inflow of guest workers could create difficulties for businesses and the wider economy. Business groups argue that foreign workers, including those from the Philippines, help address persistent labour shortages rather than replace local employees.
The government has described the changes as the first step in a longer term strategy to prioritise domestic employment and has indicated that further reforms to guest worker policies may follow.
The decision comes amid wider European debates over labour mobility and immigration. While Hungary’s measures are focused on national labour market priorities, they could draw attention in other countries facing similar challenges related to workforce shortages and wage pressures.
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