Countrypedia · Europe
Hiring in Hungary
A practical guide to employing staff in Hungary — contracts, working time, leave, termination, payroll and employer costs for 2026.
Employment contracts
Employment contracts must be in writing and state at least the base salary and job title. The employer must also give written information on working hours, pay components, leave, notice rules and the applicable collective agreement within 7 days of starting.
- Fixed-term contracts may last up to 5 years in total, including renewals.
- Probation: up to 3 months (up to 6 months if a collective agreement allows); either party may terminate without notice during probation.
- The employer must register each new employee with the tax authority (NAV) before work starts.
- Hungarian-language contracts are standard; bilingual Hungarian/English contracts are common.
Working hours
| Standard hours | 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week |
|---|---|
| Overtime cap | 250 hours a year; up to 400 hours with the employee’s written consent |
| Overtime premium | 50% (100% on rest days without substitute rest) |
| Daily rest | 11 consecutive hours |
| Breaks | 20 minutes after 6 hours; 45 minutes after 9 hours |
Minimum wage
From 1 January 2026 (full-time, gross monthly):
| Minimum wage | HUF 322,800 |
|---|---|
| Guaranteed wage minimum (jobs requiring at least secondary education or vocational qualification) | HUF 373,200 |
Leave and holidays
| Annual leave | 20 working days, plus extra days by age (1 day from age 25 rising to 10 days from age 45) and extra days for children |
|---|---|
| Public holidays | 11 per year, including Good Friday, Easter Monday and Whit Monday |
| Sick leave | Up to 15 working days a year paid by the employer at 70% of salary; afterwards sickness benefit from the state health insurance fund |
| Maternity (CSED) | 24 weeks at 100% of the daily average salary, paid by the state |
| Paternity | 10 working days, paid through the employer and reimbursed by the state |
Notice and severance
An employer must give written, reasoned notice to end a permanent contract, based on the employee’s behaviour, ability or the employer’s operations. Some groups (e.g. pregnant employees, people on leave) are protected.
| Notice period | 30 days, increasing with service: +5 days after 3 years, +15 after 5, +20 after 8, +25 after 10, +30 after 15, +40 after 18 and +60 after 20 years |
|---|---|
| Release from work | The employee must be released from work for at least half of the notice period, with pay |
| Severance pay | After 3 years’ service: 1 month’s pay, rising to 6 months after 25 years (5 years: 2, 10: 3, 15: 4, 20: 5) |
| Employee resignation | 30 days’ notice; no reason needed |
Payroll and employer costs
Salaries are paid monthly, by the 10th of the following month. The employer files the monthly 08 return with NAV and pays taxes and contributions by the 12th.
| Social contribution tax (employer) | 13% of gross salary |
|---|---|
| Employee social security contribution | 18.5% |
| Personal income tax | 15% flat rate |
| PIT exemptions | Employees under 25 and certain mothers are exempt from PIT up to set limits |
| Total employer cost at minimum wage | About HUF 364,800 a month |
Benefits and practice
- A 13th-month salary is not required by law.
- The SZÉP card (leisure card) is the most popular tax-favoured fringe benefit.
- Employers must reimburse at least 86% of commuting costs by public transport.
- Non-EU employees need a single permit (work and residence) or another eligible residence title.
Hire in Hungary with Truerix
Truerix employs your Hungarian staff through Truerix Kft in Budapest — Hungarian-language contracts, monthly NAV filings, payroll and benefits handled for you.
Sources: Forvis Mazars – Minimum wage and guaranteed wage minimum 2026 · PwC Tax Summaries – Hungary · WTS Klient – Employing people in Hungary · NAV – Hungarian Tax Administration