TL;DR
Hungarian labour law (munkajog) provides: minimum 30-day notice period; severance up to 3 months salary; 30-day deadline to challenge dismissal in court; minimum wage HUF 290,800/month (2025); mandatory written employment contract. Expats on EU postings are protected by the Posted Workers Directive from day one.
What is Munkajog?
Munkajog (pronounced mun-kah-yog) is Hungarian for "labour law". It is principally governed by Act I of 2012 (Munka Törvénykönyve — "Mt."), the Labour Code. The Mt. sets out non-negotiable minimum standards. Collective agreements and individual contracts may improve on these minimums but never reduce them.
| Item | Rule / Figure | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage (általános minimálbér) | HUF 290,800/month (2025) | Government Decree 508/2024 |
| Guaranteed minimum wage (skilled) | HUF 348,800/month (2025) | Government Decree 508/2024 |
| Standard working week | 40 hours; max 12 hours/day | Mt. § 92 |
| Annual leave (minimum) | 20 working days + seniority additions | Mt. § 115 |
| Notice period (employer) | 30–90 days based on service length | Mt. § 69 |
| Severance cap | 3 months base salary | Mt. § 77 |
| Dismissal challenge deadline | 30 days from receipt of termination | Mt. § 287 |
| Employee social security (TB járulék) | 18.5% of gross salary | Act CXVII of 1995 |
| Employer social contribution (SZOCHO) | 13% of gross salary | Act LII of 2018 |
Critical for expats: If dismissed in Hungary, you have exactly 30 days to file a Labour Court claim under Mt. § 287. Miss this deadline and your claim is permanently barred. Instruct a lawyer immediately on receiving termination notice.
Key munkajog concepts
- Munkaszerződés (employment contract): Must be in writing (Mt. § 44). Must state: employer/employee names, role, base salary, work location, start date.
- Próbaidő (probationary period): Maximum 3 months (Mt. § 45). Dismissal during probation requires no reason but must be in writing.
- Felmondás (dismissal): Employer must give written, specific, genuine reasons connected to the employee or operational needs (Mt. § 66).
- Versenytilalmi megállapodás (non-compete): Valid max 2 years. Must pay minimum one-third base salary during restriction (Mt. § 228) — failing this voids the clause.
- Kiküldetés (posted worker): EU nationals posted to Hungary receive Hungarian minimum conditions from day one under EU Directive 2018/957/EU.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can my Hungarian employer dismiss me without giving a reason?
- After the probationary period, employers must provide a written, genuine, specific reason for dismissal under Mt. § 66. You have 30 days from receipt to challenge unlawful dismissal at the Labour Court (Munkaügyi Bíróság). The court can order reinstatement or compensation of 2–12 months salary depending on circumstances.
- What tax do I pay on my Hungarian salary?
- 15% personal income tax (SZJA) plus 18.5% social security contributions (TB járulék) are deducted from your gross salary. Your employer additionally pays 13% SZOCHO on top of your gross. Your net take-home is approximately 66.5% of your gross salary.
- I am posted to Hungary from another EU country — does Hungarian law apply to me?
- Yes. Hungarian mandatory working conditions apply from day one of your posting under EU Posted Workers Directive 2018/957/EU (implemented by Government Decree 219/2020). These include Hungarian minimum wage, maximum working hours, and health and safety standards. Your home-country contract remains in force for other matters.
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