Government says we should “fear” the Ukrainian guest workers, but they are actually leaving Hungary
There’s a stark contrast between the Hungarian government’s rhetoric on Ukrainian guest workers and the actual situation—especially when it comes to how many Ukrainians are coming to work in Hungary.
While officials warn that Ukraine’s potential EU accession would flood Hungary’s job market with Ukrainians “taking jobs from Hungarians,” the data paint a very different picture. In reality, more and more Ukrainian workers are opting for labor markets in Western European countries instead.
In 2016, the government enacted several legislative changes to mitigate Hungary’s labor shortage by easing the process for Ukrainian nationals to work in the country, according to mfor.hu. Roughly 5,000 of them received work permits under the program, with arrivals continuing to rise and registering a significant increase by 2019.
However, the government’s focus later shifted toward other countries—mainly in Asia—and immigration rules for guest workers were tightened. Starting in 2025, the number of annual work permits is capped at 35,000 and restricted to select countries only.
Due to their refugee status and the EU’s temporary protection scheme—effective since March 2022 and valid until March 2027—Ukrainian citizens have the freedom to work across the European Union. Despite government alarmism, most of them are making use of this opportunity to work in Western and Central Europe, where labor markets are more attractive.
According to 2024 data, guest workers from our Eastern neighbour still represent the largest group in Hungary, but their numbers are declining year over year. In contrast, the number of workers from countries like the Philippines continues to grow. Statistics from the National Employment Service show that from 2022 to 2023, the number of work permits issued to people from Ukraine fell by about 15,000. Meanwhile, the total number of permits issued rose—primarily benefiting Asian workers.
The trend is also evident on an international scale: as of May 2025, more than 1.15 million Ukrainians had received temporary protection and were working in Germany. In Poland, over 800,000 are employed. In comparison, only around 40,000 currently reside in Hungary.
A 2024 study by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung confirms that Hungary’s labor market struggles to retain workers from Ukraine. Most move on to Germany, Poland, or other Western countries. Only those with deeper social ties or insufficient financial resources to relocate again tend to stay in Hungary.
The Hungarian government’s warnings of “mass Ukrainian guest workers” are not supported by the data. While they still make up the largest foreign workforce in Hungary, their numbers are steadily decreasing. At the same time, Hungarian labor market needs are increasingly being met by workers from other regions, according to an analysis by Lakmusz.
Western EU labor markets offer greater job security, better long-term prospects, and higher pay. Contrary to government messaging, Hungary is not becoming a primary destination for Ukrainian labor. Instead, it serves more as a transit country for these workers.
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