What does permanent residence and Hungarian citizenship give: advantages of immigration to Hungary

Advantages and prospects of working in Hungary

Like most Eastern European states, Hungary has long broken with its socialist past and is today a member of the EU and NATO. The country's economy is based on mechanical engineering, oil and gas, automotive, pharmaceutical and chemical industries. The favorable geographical location contributes to the active establishment of economic ties with neighboring countries: Hungary’s largest trading partner is Germany. The consequences of global economic crises have not escaped the country, but by 2021 their impact has been minimized, most industrial sectors are progressively developing, and the investment attractiveness of Hungary is growing. The country's unemployment rate in 2021 is at 4.9%, while in many Western European countries this figure is much higher .

Among the most obvious advantages of working in Hungary is the opportunity to obtain a residence permit, and subsequently permanent residence in the country, which gives the right to unhindered movement throughout all EU countries. A migrant worker legally working in Hungary has the opportunity to enroll his children in school, invite close relatives to visit him and receive social assistance if necessary. A foreigner who has permanent resident status in Hungary can count on a simplified procedure for employment in one of the more developed European countries.

The highest wages in Hungary are paid in the capital, Budapest

According to experts, the Hungarian labor market tends to increase the number of vacancies in various sectors of the economy in 2017. This growth is a consequence of the positive dynamics in the development of basic areas of the economy, while the majority of vacancies continue to remain open. As in most other countries of the European community, citizens of this state and EU representatives have an advantage when working in Hungary.

Pay levels and how to get more

In Hungary, there is a wage grid, according to which all earnings can be divided into minimum, average and maximum.

The minimum, as in Russia, is set by the state. The difference is that it depends on the qualifications of the employee. In 2021, the following minimum threshold has been established:

• employees without education cannot receive less than 438 euros per month;
• people with higher education must earn more than 577 euros.

At the same time, payment for different periods of time is regulated at the state level. Minimum you can receive:

• 2.36 euros – per hour;
• 19 euros – per day;
• 95 euros – per week.

There is also an average starting salary - this can be received by people without qualifications. In remote areas of the country it is above 450 euros, and in Budapest from 550 to 600.

The following wages are received:

• programmers;
• freelancers;
• workers;
• harvesters;
• seamstresses

To work, they need a minimum command of the Hungarian language; in order to receive such wages, it is best for immigrants to get a job in branches of Russian companies. They willingly take people from the CIS, and not from the European Union. The average salary for workers with higher qualifications is 945 euros, which is 17% higher than in previous years.

The maximum salaries are received in large holdings, banks, embassies and in senior positions. Depending on your qualifications, you can receive from 5 to 40 thousand euros per month. Good salaries are offered to highly specialized specialists in the field of programming and the oil and gas industry. You can earn so much in network companies and in private practice. It is very difficult for migrants to get into high-paying jobs, despite their experience and qualifications. Large companies prefer to hire workers from Hungary and the EU.

Ways to find a job

Our compatriots who have lived in Hungary for some time claim that there are many vacancies in the country. You can only learn about them by coming here in person, for example, as a tourist. If an applicant for a job in the country has relatives or friends working in Hungary, they can provide him with comprehensive information about where and how to look for work here. The vast majority of foreigners who intend to move to Hungary for employment search for work using the Internet . Some of the most popular job search sites in the country include:

• Profession;
• Budapest jobs - vacancies in the capital of the country;
• Monster;
• Jobmonitor;
• Workania;
• cvonline.hu;
• jobinfo.hu;
• careerjet.hu;
• Indeed.

Newspapers publish information regarding employment issues:

• Jofogas;
• HVG;
• NOL.

Directly contacting employers by posting your resume on the websites of well-known Hungarian companies can be a fairly effective way of searching. In this case, knowledge of Hungarian or English will be required. Many job seekers turn to recruiting agencies for help in finding employment: moving costs in this case may increase 2-3 times, but time will be saved.

Most foreigners find work in Hungary via the Internet

What vacancies are offered to foreigners?

According to information provided by the Hungarian Central Statistical Office, the number of vacancies available to foreigners exceeded 100 thousand in 2017. This number of job offers is due not only to the intensive development of various sectors of the economy, but also to the fact that many citizens of the country prefer to work in other EU countries - Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, etc.

Considering the fact that Hungary is a member of the European Union, it is much easier for its citizens to find a well-paid job in one of the Commonwealth countries than, for example, for Russians or Ukrainians. At the same time, many representatives of the CIS are quite satisfied with the average salary in Hungary. Together with a fairly simple procedure for employment in the country, this can be a completely acceptable labor immigration option for our compatriots or residents of other countries of the former USSR.

Professions in demand

In 2017, the automotive industry, construction, education, trade and service industries experienced a certain shortage of qualified personnel. On the territory of the country there are factories for the assembly of Suzuki, Mercedes and Audi cars, where highly qualified specialists of the relevant profile who speak Hungarian or English can get a job. Other professions in demand in the country include:

• engineers in such areas as electronics, mechanics, construction;
• pharmacists;
• specialists in the field of chemical production;
• managers in the service and trade sectors.

There is a certain shortage of professional personnel in the automotive industry.
IT specialists, programmers and doctors will not be left without work in the country, but only on condition that they are satisfied with the level of Hungarian salaries. To apply for a position with a salary above the national average, you must demonstrate a sufficient degree of qualifications and knowledge of the language. The requirements for applicants for jobs where special education is not required are somewhat lower, and accordingly the income is lower.

Employment agencies offer the following vacancies in Hungary in 2021:

• plumber;
• plasterer;
• tiler;
• painter;
• Warehouse worker;
• handyman;
• cleaner;
• assembly line worker at a car plant;
• workers at dairy and confectionery enterprises;
• hotel and hotel employees;
• truck driver;
• operator at a household appliances factory;
• Auto Mechanic.

Employment agencies in Hungary often offer vacancies for hotel and hotel employees

Salaries

In 2021, the minimum wages in the country were revised, which are now:

• for unskilled workers - 127.5 thousand forints, or 480 $, taking into account the exchange rate: 1 $ = 265 HUF;
• for highly qualified specialists - 161.25 thousand forints, or $610 per month.

Thus, this figure increased compared to 2016 by 15% for workers without qualifications and by 25% for highly qualified personnel . In most European countries, it is customary to indicate the minimum wage per week, day and hour.

The minimum wage in Hungary in 2021 increased by 15% compared to 2021

Table: minimum salary in Hungary in 2021

The highest wages are set in the capital of the country - Budapest, slightly lower - in Debrecen, Pecs, Székesfehérvár. The average salary in Hungary in 2021 was $780 per month after taxes, which in local currency is 204.5 thousand forints, in euros - 670 €.

Practice shows that a foreigner who is lucky enough to get a job in a branch of one of the international companies, such as Philips, Nocia, Vodafone, IBM, Nestle, etc. will be able to receive a salary above $1000–1500 per month in Hungary. in one of these companies, you must have high professionalism and confident knowledge of Hungarian and English. Most Russians and Ukrainians who come to work in Hungary earn 500–600 € per month.

A foreigner who gets a job in a branch of one of the large international companies can receive a salary above $1000–1500 per month in Hungary

Average salary in Hungary

According to official data from the Hungarian Central Statistical Office, the average salary in Hungary in 2021 is 411,000 forints per month , which is equivalent to 1,360 US dollars at current exchange rates. After paying taxes, Hungarian workers have 273,300 forints ($905) left at their disposal. Compared to the same period last year (January-December), the average salary in Hungary increased by 9.5%.

AVERAGE SALARY IN HUNGARY (FORINTS PER MONTH)

• Business sector – 423,800 (gross)/281,800 (net)
• Budgetary institutions – 386,800 (gross)/257,200 (net)
• Non-profit institutions – 362,900 (gross)/241,300 (net)

The highest incomes in Hungary are recorded in financial and insurance activities (714,910 forints), and the lowest in the accommodation and catering services sector (247,451 forints). The average gross earnings of full-time Hungarians were HUF 447,200 for men and HUF 375,500 for women. The income of full-time employees under 20 years of age reached HUF 236,738, those between 30 and 39 years of age 432,233 HUF and for those over 60 years of age 407,700 HUF.

AVERAGE SALARY IN HUNGARY BY ECONOMY FIELDS

In conclusion, we note that the unemployment rate in Hungary does not exceed 3–5%, and the income tax rate in 2021 is 15%, which is one of the lowest in the European Union.

Labor organization, taxes, social assistance

The working week in Hungary lasts 40 hours - this is the highest figure for the EU; Bulgarians, Croats, Greeks, Slovenes, Romanians, Poles and representatives of the Baltic states spend the same amount of time at work. All others are less. Oddly enough, the level of income of the population in most cases is inversely proportional to the length of the working week: for example, in the Netherlands the working week is the shortest in the EU, and wages are among the highest.

Tax system

Considering that the average salary in the country before taxes is 970 €, after payment - 670 €, using simple mathematical calculations you can determine the total payroll tax, which averages about 31%.

In general, the country's tax system provides for a fairly large number of payments, but not all of them apply to foreigners working in Hungary. Income tax is levied on any type of income (both wages and profits from business activities), the rate of such tax is 16% in 2021 . Along with citizens of the country, residents pay taxes in full; a different taxation procedure is provided for non-residents. In addition to income taxes, the following taxes are levied in Hungary:

• for social insurance;
• to the recovery fund;
• for added value;
• for the transfer of property;
• for inheritance;
• for transport, etc.

The tax return must be submitted by May 20, or in some cases by November 20. Double taxation agreements have been signed by Hungary with more than 80 countries, including Russia and Ukraine.

The total payroll tax in Hungary averages 31%

Social help

The unemployment rate in the country has been steadily declining in recent years, but if a Hungarian resident loses his job, he can count on unemployment benefits if:

• the applicant demonstrates a willingness to cooperate with social services in search of work;
• the applicant is registered in one of the employment centers as unemployed;
• the candidate is not a full-time student at a university or college, and does not receive disability or old-age benefits.

Those applicants who have worked in the country for at least a year over the past four years are eligible for unemployment benefits. Persons who remain unemployed on their own initiative begin to receive benefits 3 months after registering with the employment center. The state provides assistance to the unemployed for six months, the minimum benefit amount being 60% of wages.

All social security is practically the same for both citizens and working foreigners with permanent residence. The tax system is complex, depends on your income level, and is usually paid at work. But the difference between gross and net wages (that is, in hand) is significant: taxes, health insurance and pensions in the middle class take up to 40%. Maternity leave - 6 months, starting from the 36th week of pregnancy. After giving birth, a one-time benefit of about 100 thousand forints is paid, monthly for six months - about 80 thousand (calculated as a percentage of the salary, but not more than 120 thousand, as far as I know). Then comes parental leave - up to 2 years, but almost no one from the locals takes it, since the benefit is 40% of the salary maximum. The benefit can also be paid by work, either in full salary, or as an addition to the state benefit; this issue remains at the discretion of the employer, but usually the benefit + payment from work is still lower than your former salary. Usually everyone sends the baby to a nursery or leaves it at home if there is someone with him. Even before the age of 18, children are paid 12,200 forints per child (the amount increases with the number of children, that is, for 2 children it will already be 13,300 x 2 = 26,600). This is something you can consistently count on. Yes, during pregnancy, maternity leave and parental leave you are in no way protected from dismissal, although you are on the list of “relatively protected”. That is, if several people are fired, you will not be included in the list, but if there is a mass dismissal, it is quite possible. Medical insurance is paid from the salary or by the person himself on a monthly basis, covers most of the necessary services (frankly speaking, we only paid the doctor personally 3 times: twice as a gift after a difficult birth (but the birth itself is free and it is not necessary to pay) and the dentist, since I’m terribly I’m afraid of dentists and only go to one private dentist), although my family history included very different procedures, including those performed by specialized specialists and using complex equipment.

Smily

https://www.my-hungria.com/t477-topic

Like most European countries, Hungary has set its sights on increasing the retirement age. This is due to the gradual increase in life expectancy of the population and the predominance of the number of pensioners over the number of workers. Hungarians retire at 62 in 2021, but the government plans to raise this figure to 65 in the coming years . To receive a pension, you must work in the country for 20 years or more. The average pension in 2021 is $400 per month.

Hungarian citizens retire at 62

Quite often, foreign pensioners, including Russian citizens, purchase real estate in small Hungarian resort villages and move here for permanent residence. Our pensioners are attracted by the relaxed lifestyle in the Hungarian province, the opportunity to receive quality medical services, and the proximity to healing thermal springs. In addition, in accordance with existing agreements between countries, pensions can be transferred to Hungary and received in forints at the current exchange rate.

A pensioner must obtain permission to move to Hungary from the country’s Migration and Citizenship Department. The basis for filing an application is usually medical prescriptions. When buying real estate in small Hungarian cities, you can focus on the cost of 1 square meter of housing within 1,000 €.

In order for a child to be in kindergarten, it is enough that he permanently resides in Hungary. State kindergartens are cheaper; only meals are paid there. It can’t be said that there are a ton of places in them, but it’s also not like you have to sign up from birth, as in Russia, for example. Usually it is enough to sign up about six months in advance. You can visit any kindergarten, regardless of your area of ​​residence, but if there is a queue, preference is given to local ones (an unspoken rule). To enroll in a kindergarten, you must have a general certificate of “fitness” from a doctor. There are also a significant number of private gardens, they are 3 times more expensive. As such, there is no registration at the clinic, but there is a mandatory link between the child and the pediatrician. In cities it is possible to choose a doctor, in villages and smaller towns - to the doctor who is available. A pediatrician takes care of a child until he is 18 years old, visits kindergartens and schools, conducts professional events, vaccinations (they are mandatory, by the way, but the doctor administers vaccinations under his own responsibility and certifies them with a signature in a special booklet). The same doctor refers you to specialists if he sees such a need. There is also a list of mandatory examinations by age of the child. The examination is carried out by the same doctor, but at the request of the parents, referrals to other specialists can be obtained.

Smily

https://www.my-hungria.com/t477-topic

Actually about salaries

The first thing that interests a person who gets a job is how much he will receive. The minimum wage in Hungary, according to official Eurostat data, is 504 euros per month.

Comparison of Hungarian average salary

If we talk about vacancies with qualifications, then everything depends on the company in which you managed to get a job. Hungary, unlike many of its neighbors in the European Union, is not so attractive in terms of earnings. However, when working at large international enterprises, you can earn no less than what they earn in Germany or Austria.

As for more mundane specialties, it depends. For example, when working for private owners, gardeners, cleaners, shopping assistants, etc. earn at least 20 euros per shift. You should not settle for a smaller amount. On average, the services of a gardener are needed once a week. Cleaners are invited twice a week. They are active for about half the day.

It’s a good idea to get a job as a manager to receive and serve clients. This is a standard five-day job with an eight-hour working day. They pay 600 euros, but this is only a flat rate, with bonuses attached.

Those who find themselves in the profession can count on decent rewards. Very often English teachers with knowledge of Hungarian are required. On average, one child spends two hours three times a week. They pay approximately 160 euros for each student. If you take six students (this is not the limit), you can consistently earn 1000 euros. It makes sense to learn Hungarian.

The most popular professions in Hungary also include seamstresses. If you work 40 hours a week, you can earn from 500 to 700 euros. Skills and qualifications matter and will directly impact salary.

One of the vacancies in which it is easy to find a job in Hungary is construction specialties. Tilers, fitters, concrete workers, etc. earn a minimum of 2,000 euros. This is not the limit. Many companies are willing to pay more to good specialists.

Official employment in Hungary

As in other countries of the European Community, employers in Hungary first of all consider candidates from local residents and EU representatives, and only after that from citizens of third countries, for example, Russia or Ukraine.

Work permit

If a Hungarian employer has chosen a Russian, Ukrainian or resident of another CIS country, he must submit a request to the local labor office to obtain a work permit for such a migrant. In this case, the following conditions must be met:

• the advertising campaign for the existing vacancy was carried out in full for 15 days or more;
• indicators of the foreigner’s level of preparedness meet the requirements for him;
• the migrant does not have diseases that require long-term and complex treatment.

Thus, the requirements for obtaining a permit are close to European standards, but given the lower level of wages in Hungary, jobs in the state are more accessible to foreigners. If an applicant is fluent in one of the professions in demand in the country and knows the Hungarian language, then his chances of finding a job in Hungary can be assessed as quite high.

Representatives of science who arrived at the invitation of the Hungarian side may not obtain a work permit

A number of categories of foreigners will not require a work permit, including:

• professional athletes with contracts in Hungary;
• representatives of science and art who arrived at the invitation of the Hungarian side;
• heads of branches of foreign companies operating in Hungary;
• heads of Hungarian enterprises working with foreign investment;
• consular officials;
• employees of companies with foreign investment, in which the number of foreigners on staff does not exceed 2% of the total number of employees;
• leading specialists of enterprises working under contract.

Work Visa

If a work permit is received and an employment contract with the employer is signed, the applicant can proceed to obtain a visa, which will provide for the possibility of employment in the country. This is usually a category D visa. Visa permission should be applied for at the Hungarian consulate in the country of permanent residence of the applicant.

The Hungarian Embassy in Moscow is located at: st. Mosfilmovskaya, 62

Depending on the purpose of the visit, such a visa may include:

• a one-time visit to the country with the possibility of staying on its territory for no more than one month;
• a trip to Hungary to perform seasonal work for 3–6 months;
• visiting a country multiple times over a period of 3 months or more.

In some cases, the request can also be made on the territory of Hungary, for example, if a foreigner is engaged in scientific research in the country or has come for the purpose of family reunification. The cost of obtaining such a visa in Moscow will be 60 €, in Hungary - 18,000 forints. A visa for seasonal work costs 40 €. In this case, the applicant will be required to:

• valid international passport;
• photograph 35x45 mm;
• document confirming the passage of biometrics;
• a completed application form, the form of which can be downloaded on the website of the immigration department;
• receipt of payment of duty.

In addition, when submitting an application, the applicant must confirm the availability of funds for the first period of stay in the country and place of residence in Hungary, as well as submit documentation confirming the existence of contact with the employer, i.e. an employment contract or a preliminary agreement on cooperation in writing. In general, visa requests are processed within three weeks, but a decision on a work visa can take up to 70 days.

After arriving in the country, the foreigner obtains a residence permit for the period specified in the contract.

Video: about the shortage of workers in Hungary

Residence extension

The first time a residence permit is issued, as a rule, for no more than 2 years; subsequently, if necessary, this period can be extended. If, after the expiration of the previous residence permit in Hungary, a foreigner wishes to continue working in Hungary, he must submit an application for extension to the regional office of the Immigration Office one month before the expiration of the visa. The fee for renewing a permit is 10 thousand forints.

If a foreigner is refused a residence permit or extension, he can appeal within 8 days and pay a fee of 5.5 thousand forints.

Diploma confirmation

To work in Hungary in the specialty specified in the diploma, a Russian or Ukrainian specialist may need to legalize an education document, i.e., bring the qualifications into compliance with Hungarian requirements. How does this happen? First of all, you need to contact the so-called equivalent center at the country's Ministry of Education to obtain preliminary advice. The center’s employees accept the foreigner’s request and within a certain time (usually no more than 2 months) assess the applicant’s qualifications. In this case, not only the number of disciplines studied is taken into account, but also practical experience: for this purpose, a request for a previous place of work can be made.

What could be the result of the review? If, for example, your diploma indicates that you are a pediatrician, then the commission may agree that you are a doctor, but your right to work as a pediatrician will need to be confirmed by passing additional exams. The applicant usually has 3 months to prepare for the exams, the cost of one exam is 50 thousand forints, and the re-examination takes place in Hungarian. After successfully completing all stages of diploma confirmation, the specialist can work with him in any Hungarian institution.

Video: where to start settling in Hungary

Average and minimum wage

The minimum salary in Hungary this year, according to official data, is at around 127.5 thousand forints (about 400 euros). Accordingly, the average salary is about 161 thousand forints (approximately 520 euros). The average Hungarian citizen employed in unskilled labor can earn:

• per week - about 29.3 thousand forints;
• per day – 5.9 thousand;
• per hour – 0.7 thousand forints.

Workers with a specialty will be able to count on a minimum level of 37 thousand forints per month, 7.4 thousand per day and 0.9 thousand per hour. Experienced people advise that you should not agree to pay less than 16 euros per shift - this applies to the lowest paid jobs (cleaner, gardener, loader). According to analysts' forecasts, earnings levels will only increase in the future.

Internships

If a young specialist from Russia or another CIS country intends to connect his future with Hungary, then it will be most convenient to get acquainted with the state, the organization of work at Hungarian enterprises, and the rules of doing business through an internship in the country. Most often, such programs in Hungary are associated with work in automotive, pharmaceutical, and electronics enterprises, i.e., in the most developed sectors of the country’s economy. Many assembly plants for world-famous car brands are located in Hungary, so young professionals or final year students at universities in the CIS countries quite often apply for internships at such enterprises. You can find out how to get an internship at an Audi plant on a specially prepared company resource. How to properly write a resume and prepare for an interview is outlined on the quora website.

Future pharmacists can apply for internships with companies such as Gedeon Richter, Hinoin or Egis. When looking for an internship in Hungary, the following sites may be useful:

• iagora;
• businessculture;
• budapestjobs;
• mars.

The organization of internships is often carried out by specialized educational centers, which take on the hassle associated with finding an internship location and organizing the living conditions of foreigners in Hungary. As a rule, young people aged 18 to 30 years take part in internships.

In addition, there are special scholarship programs for Russian students that allow them to study in Hungary and receive a European diploma. Of course, in order to receive a grant to participate in such a program, you must be among the best in your educational institution.

An internship in Hungary will allow you to gain experience working or doing business in the country

What does immigration to Hungary give: affordable education

Permanent residence in Hungary provides access to free or partially paid European education. Hungarian universities are among the oldest in Europe. A diploma obtained from a Hungarian university guarantees a high level of knowledge of the graduate. And, of course, it gives him the right to work in his specialty in any country of the European Union.

To become a student at one of the higher educational institutions in Hungary, it is not necessary to confirm a diploma or certificate received in Russia. It is enough to simply translate these documents into Hungarian, certify the translation with an Apostille and pass a language proficiency exam.

In addition, Hungarian citizens and permanent residents can study in any EU country while saving significant money.

Business immigration

The minimum requirements for the amount of authorized capital when opening a business in Hungary is €2,000. If there are several founders, then the share of each of them should not be less than 400 €. To conduct private business in the country, you will need to obtain a visa of the appropriate type and a residence permit. At the same time, it is necessary to confirm the viability of the business being opened and its relevance to the country’s economy.

For foreigners who want to invest in the Hungarian economy, there is a special program, thanks to participation in which the investor and his family can obtain a residence permit in the country through a simplified procedure. To become a participant in the program, you must place a minimum of €250,000 in a special deposit account for 5 years. After receiving a residence permit, such a foreigner has the right to freely move within the territory of the Schengen states for 5 years . Six months after obtaining a residence permit, a foreign investor can apply for permanent residence, and a program participant can count on permanent resident status within three months after submitting the request, while usually an application for permanent residence is considered for up to 3 years.

Business immigration to Hungary allows you to obtain a residence permit using a simplified procedure

Standard of living in Hungary

The Hungarian Republic does not impress with a very high standard of living, but demonstrates a stable pace of economic development. The government predicts annual economic growth of approximately 3-4%, wages in Hungary are constantly increasing, and unemployment is decreasing.

Overall income figures are not spectacular but stable, balanced by low taxes and rental prices for Europe. For comparison: the average wage recorded in Hungary in 2021 per hour is on par with Poland and higher than in Russia - the average wage is about 27 dollars versus 21.5.