Tag Archive for: Inter Relocation Group

Hungary Extends Asylum Status for Ukrainian War Refugees Until 2026

The Hungarian government has issued a new decree extending the validity of asylum documents for those affected by the war in Ukraine. This extension ensures that asylum seekers can legally stay in Hungary until 4th March 2026 under temporary protection status.

Who is Eligible for Hungary’s Asylum Extension?

This asylum document validity extension applies to:

  • Ukrainian citizens who were residents in Ukraine before 24th February 2022.
  • Stateless persons or non-Ukrainian third-country nationals who received international or national protection in Ukraine before 24th February 2022.
  • Family members of these individuals.

Official Government Decree on Asylum Document Validity

According to Government Decree 86/2022 (III. 7.), the updated validity period of asylum documents is extended until 4th March 2026, replacing previous regulations that listed 2025 as the expiration date.

This amendment was introduced through Government Decree 343/2024 (XI. 14.), which modifies earlier legislation regarding emergency rules and temporary protection.

The decree was officially published in the Hungarian Official Gazette on 14th November 2024, under No. 114 of 2024.

Why is This Asylum Extension Important?

Extending the Hungary asylum extension 2026 allows displaced individuals to continue receiving protection, access services, and maintain legal residency. The change highlights Hungary’s ongoing commitment to supporting those affected by the war in Ukraine.

What Should Refugees Do Next?

If you or your family members are eligible for this extension, ensure that your asylum documents are valid until 4th March 2026. For official updates, visit Hungary’s immigration office or consult legal experts on refugee rights.

Final Thoughts on Hungary’s Asylum Policy Update

This Hungary asylum extension 2026 provides crucial stability for refugees facing uncertainty. Staying informed about government policies is essential for those under temporary protection in Hungary.

Breaking News: Hungary Immigration and Employment Law Changes 2025

We would like to inform our clients that important legislative changes have come into effect as of 1st January 2025, which affect immigration and employment matters in several ways.

  1. Hungary Immigration Changes 2025: Key Legislative Updates

  2. Guest Worker Residence Permit in Hungary: New Eligibility Criteria

New Regulations for Guest Worker Permits (Effective January 1, 2025)

In the Hungarian Official Journal No. 135 of 2024, published on 23rd December 2024, the Government Decree 450/2024 (XII. 23.) on the employment of guest workers in Hungary (hereinafter: Government Decree) was published. The Government Decree will come into force on 1 January 2025.

Eligible Countries for Guest Worker Residence Permits

From 1st January 2025, taking into account the exceptions listed in point II, citizens of the following countries can be employed in Hungary with a residence permit for the purpose of employment and a residence permit for guest workers, as listed in Appendix 1 of the Government Decree:

  • Georgia
  • Armenia

Exceptions and Special Provisions for Certain Third-Country Nationals

According to the Government Decree, citizens of other third countries can also be employed in Hungary with a residence permit for the purpose of employment and a guest worker residence permit if their home country has an organization or office in Hungary officially recognized by their government. This organization must ensure compliance with Hungarian and EU legislation and guarantee that any non-compliant worker will leave Hungary.

The Minister responsible for foreign policy will publish the list of eligible third countries in a Communication annexed to the Hungarian Official Journal.

  1. Employment Residence Permit in Hungary 2025: What You Need to Know

Regulations for Applications Submitted Before January 1, 2025

For residence permits for guest workers, Appendix 1 of Government Decree 180/2024 (VII. 8.), in force until 31st December 2024, shall apply. This regulation covers citizens from the following countries:

  • The Philippines
  • The Republic of Indonesia
  • The Republic of Kazakhstan
  • Mongolia
  • The Socialist Republic of Vietnam
  • The Federative Republic of Brazil
  • Georgia
  • The Kyrgyz Republic
  • The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
  • The Republic of Colombia

Changes for New Applications After January 1, 2025

For applications submitted after 1st January 2025, Government Decree 450/2024 (XII. 23.) shall not apply to:

  • New applications for a residence permit for employment purposes from third-country nationals holding a valid residence permit for employment issued under Act II of 2007 before 31st December 2024.
  • Extensions of residence permits for employment purposes if the permit was valid as of 31st December 2024.
  • Ongoing applications submitted before 31st December 2024.

Processing Immigration Cases via EnterHungary Platform

An application submitted via the EnterHungary platform will be considered ongoing if the procedural fee is paid by 31st December 2024 at the latest. Additionally, applications received by a consular officer before 31st December 2024 will also be considered ongoing.

  1. TEÁOR 2025 Classification Changes and Business Obligations

Transition from TEÁOR’08 to TEÁOR’25: What’s Changing?

As of 1st January 2025, the Unified Sectoral Classification System of Economic Activities (TEÁOR) will change. The TEÁOR’08 classification, in effect since 2008, will be replaced by TEÁOR’25, reflecting economic developments such as drone and smart device manufacturing.

How Businesses Can Check and Update Their TEÁOR Codes

Businesses can use the TEÁOR’25 code search program and the TEÁOR’08–TEÁOR’25 transcoding program available on the Central Statistical Office (KSH) website.

  • TEÁOR’25 Search Program: Click here
  • TEÁOR’08–TEÁOR’25 Conversion Support: Available on the KSH website.

Deadlines and Reporting Obligations for Companies

Organizations will receive their new main activity code automatically. If no automatic conversion is possible, they must update their classification by 1st July 2025.

What Happens If TEÁOR Codes Are Not Updated?

If an organization does not modify its old TEÁOR codes by 1st July 2025, the old codes will be closed ex officio as of 31st August 2025, effective 31st December 2024.

  1. NEAK Notification Letters: What They Mean for Employers and Employees

Who Will Receive NEAK Notifications and Why?

The National Health Insurance Fund Manager (NEAK) will send notification letters via Ügyfélkapu (Customer Gate) if an employer or state organization reports a change in an employee’s legal relationship.

Employer and Employee Responsibilities for NEAK Notifications

Employers must report changes in:

  • New employment relationships
  • Suspensions
  • Terminations
  • FEOR code changes
  • Working hour adjustments
  • Insurance status updates

Steps to Verify and Respond to NEAK Notifications

Clients should verify their notification letters on the Ügyfélkapu platform. If the information is correct, no action is needed. If discrepancies are found, they should visit the county government office or contact their employer for correction.

Source: NEAK Website

  1. Summary: Key Takeaways for Businesses and Foreign Workers in Hungary

How These Changes Affect Employers and Foreign Nationals

As of 1st January 2025, only Armenian and Georgian citizens can apply for a guest worker residence permit or a residence permit for employment purposes, due to valid readmission agreements.

Future Expectations: Will More Countries Be Added to the Eligible List?

The Hungarian government may expand the list of eligible countries in the future, depending on bilateral agreements.

6th January 2025, Budapest
INTER RELOCATION Kft.

Update: New immigration regulations in Hungary from 1st January 2024

Understanding Immigration Regulations in Hungary

An Overview of Immigration Regulations in Hungary, Effective January 1, 2024

The previous immigration law was replaced by a new law on January 1, 2024. The implementation of the new rules is not immediate; it occurs gradually. In cases initiated until December 31, 2023, the old regulations still apply, while the new regulations apply from March 1, 2024.

Between these two dates, the processing of residence and settlement cases, as well as the submission of applications, is suspended. From March 1, 2024, only applications according to the new rules can be submitted, but previously submitted applications will be evaluated based on the old immigration law. During the suspension period, the validity of expiring permits is extended until April 30, 2024.

Those who hold a temporary residence certificate (ITI) with respect to an ongoing permit procedure will have to attend the Immigration Office in order to extend expiring temporary residence certificates.

Changes in Immigration Regulations in Hungary

The new law introduces new types of permits, and at the same time, the general “miscellaneous purpose” or “other type” permit is abolished. Every residence permit is now tied to the residence purpose and legal basis directly specified in the law, e.g. digital nomad (White Card), medical treatment, etc. In the future, it will not be possible to issue a residence permit with a general “other” purpose, lacking a specific purpose defined in the law.

“Guest Worker” Permits

The law distinguishes between permits for work purposes, specifically between permits for work in occupations requiring higher qualifications and those known as “guest worker” permits, which allow work in professions requiring lower qualifications.

Generally, family reunification residence permits cannot be associated with the latter “guest worker” permits, and they do not entitle the bearer for settlement (permanent residence) in Hungary. Additionally, they can only be extended for a limited period (up to a total of three years). After this period, the permit cannot be extended, and instead, a new application is required. The detailed regulations for this are not yet known.

The concept of a “guest worker” encompasses various types of residence permits, generally targeting employment that does not require a high level of qualification. This includes the seasonal guest worker residence permit, the residence permit for guest workers employed for the purpose of execution of investment projects, the residence permit for employment purposes, and the guest worker residence permit.

Guidance for Employers

The previous work-purpose residence permit is now mostly equivalent to the employment-purpose residence permit.

The guest worker residence permit understood in a narrower sense, can be applied for employment by specified employers, from countries defined by law, and in occupations as specified by law.

The employment permit issued for the purpose of the implementation of investment projects is aimed at employment by employers who implement an investment as defined in an agreement with the government.

For employment in professions requiring higher education, in addition to the former EU Blue Card, the new Hungarian Card is also suitable, specifically for professions defined in separate legislation.

Citizens of Ukraine and Serbia can obtain a National Card for the purpose of employment in professions specified by legislation.

“Golden Visa”

From July 1, 2024, the so-called guest-investor visa and residence permit (“golden visa”) will be available, allowing a residence of 10+10 years for a minimum real estate fund investment of 250,000 Euros. The detailed regulations for this are not yet known.

In addition to a real estate fund investment of 250,000 euros, there will be a possibility to obtain such a visa or residence permit through a real estate purchase of 500,000 Euros or a grant provided to a designated higher education institution in the amount of 1,000,000 Euros.

The former residence permit for income-generating purposes (“gainful activities”) corresponds to the guest-self-employed residence permit.

A third-country citizen may not receive a residence permit for family unification purposes if the person to be joined as a family member holds one of the following residence permits:

  1. Guest self-employment residence permit (held for less than one year)
  2. Seasonal employment-purpose permit
  3. Permit for employment for the purpose of investment project implementation
  4. Employment-purpose permit
  5. Guest worker residence permit
  6. White Card
  7. Study-purpose permit
  8. Internship-purpose permit
  9. Residence permit for voluntary activities

The actual implementation of the new legislation is expected to be accompanied by the creation of numerous executive decrees and additional regulations containing detailed provisions. Currently, there is no information available about these, but they are anticipated to cover the precise procedural guidelines, the documents usable and required in the procedures, as well as additional conditions and circumstances that may influence the application process.

Employer Responsibilities

Employers hiring guest workers must be prepared for several new obligations. They need to register themselves, pay registration and employment fees, and ensure that an employee whose employment or residence rights have ceased actually leaves the country.

Failure to fulfil these obligations, if the employer does not act as generally expected in a given situation, can result in a fine of 5 million forints, and they may also be responsible for covering the costs associated with the deportation of the third-country national.

Employers are advised to seek further guidance on such obligations related to the employment of third-country citizens from the expected further legal regulations and related authorities to be regulated in detail in the expected but not yet available new legislation (including executive orders and further related government decrees).

Extremely Urgent News Re Hungarian Immigration

Hungarian Immigration:

A new immigration law will come into effect on 1st January 2024 in Hungary, but all procedures will be halted between 1st January and 29th February 2024, and most of the new regulations will only be applicable from 1st March 2024.

Until 29th of February 2024 current regulations will also be applicable. During this time, no permit requests may be submitted.

All residence permits and settlement permits that expire between 2024-01-01 and 2024-02-29 are automatically prolonged until 2024-04-30 by the force of law.

Procedures started before 2024-01-01 will be judged under the old regulations.

If an application is submitted electronically, it is considered as having been started if the administrative fee is paid until December 31, 2023.

This will also apply to new applications for residence permits, residence cards, and EU registration cards, which will only be accepted if they are in the national interest, which means the government has mandated that the application is needed. Therefore, new applications can only be submitted from 1st March.

Please stand by for further updates.

Celebrating Excellence: Inter Relocation’s 3rd Nomination for the Prestigious Cartus Masters Cup Award

At Inter Relocation, it is with immense joy and honour that we share the news of our third consecutive nomination for the esteemed Cartus Masters Cup Award at the 2023 Global Network Conference.

This prestigious recognition, presented annually by Cartus Corporation, celebrates outstanding service and exceptional performance within its esteemed Global Network. As a leading provider of relocation services, this nomination stands as a testament to Inter Relocation’s unwavering commitment to excellence and the exceptional support we provide to our clients throughout their relocation journey.

Inter Relocation's 3rd Nomination for the Prestigious Cartus Masters Cup Award

We’re celebrating our our third consecutive nomination for the Cartus Masters Cup Award

The Cartus Global Network Conference:

The 2023 Cartus Global Network Conference, taking place from September 20-21, 2023, brings together a dynamic and innovative community of industry-leading worldwide service providers. Representing 175 countries from around the globe, this event fosters collaboration, encourages innovation, and shares best practices to elevate service delivery for Cartus clients and their relocating employees.

This year’s theme, “Where Mobility Meets Agility,” embodies the compassionate and agile approach that Cartus supplier partners, including Inter Relocation, take in helping relocating employees navigate the evolving mobility landscape.

Inter Relocation and the Cartus Masters Cup Award:

Our nomination for the Cartus Masters Cup Award lies in the category of Home-related Services. This esteemed award is reserved for Global Network members who consistently achieve exceptional standards of quality and service excellence.
As a nominee, Inter Relocation must showcase:

  • Unwavering commitment to service excellence and customer satisfaction.
  • A collaborative and innovative approach in developing cost-effective solutions for Cartus clients.
  • An outstanding performance and dedication to Cartus’ vision and values, ensuring tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of our clients and their employees.

Inter Relocation’s Remarkable Service:

At Inter Relocation, we are dedicated to providing unparalleled relocation services that put our clients’ needs front and center. Our expert team takes pride in delivering personalized assistance, guiding our clients through the entire relocation process seamlessly.

With a deep knowledge of the local market and fast, responsive communication, we keep our clients informed at every step of the way, alleviating any concerns or uncertainties they may have.

A Word from Stuart McAlister, Inter Relocation’s Company Owner:

Inter Relocation Receives Commitment to Excellence Gold Award“I’m honoured to receive this Cartus Masters Cup Award nomination, which recognizes thededication and quality of service we consistently demonstrate while supporting Cartus clients and relocating employees. The rigorous standards that Cartus maintains for all its supplier partners make this nomination an even greater honour. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our hardworking colleagues, who work tirelessly to uphold our high standards and make each relocation journey a success.”

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Cartus Corporation and our valued clients for their continued trust and support. With our focus firmly set on delivering personalized, efficient, and high-quality service, we look forward to serving even more clients and making a positive impact in the realm of global mobility.

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About Cartus Corporation:

Cartus Corporation, a global leader in talent mobility, delivers comprehensive corporate relocation services to organizations worldwide. As a subsidiary of Anywhere Real Estate Inc., they serve a diverse clientele, including a significant portion of Fortune 100 companies, delivering proactive, flexible solutions tailored to each client’s unique needs.

For more information, visit cartus.com and anywhere.re.

About Inter Relocation

Founded in March 2002, Inter Relocation began as a Budapest-based provider of relocation and immigration services. With just three staff members initially, we’ve since grown to a team of 20 professionals.

In 2003, we expanded internationally as the Inter Relocation Group, extending our services to Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Poland. Today, we’re proud to have franchise group members in 23 countries across CEE and Central Asia, with our Budapest office as the headquarters.

At Inter Relocation, our unwavering commitment is to deliver award-winning services of the highest quality to our clients, partners, and assignees. We believe in social responsibility, environmental sustainability, and ethical practices, actively promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Founded by Stuart McAlister, a British expat who understands the challenges of relocation firsthand, our personal touch and dedication shape our client-focused approach.

Our dedication to excellence has earned us numerous awards and recognition, making us a trusted partner in the relocation industry. As we celebrate our third nomination for the prestigious Cartus Masters Cup Award, we continue to deliver top-tier service for a seamless relocation experience.

Inter Relocation is Nominated for a Prestigious Cartus Masters Cup Award

Inter Relocation is Nominated for a Prestigious Cartus Masters Cup Award at the 2022 Global Network Conference.

Highest Honour Bestowed by Cartus Global Network Will Recognize Winner’s Outstanding Service and Performance.

Inter Relocation has been named to the short list of finalists for Cartus Corporation’s Masters Cup Award at its 2022 Global Network Conference, to be held virtually from October 3-5, 2022. The Cartus Global Network is Cartus’ industry-leading worldwide service provider network.

Each year, the network comes together to collaborate on ways to improve and innovate service delivery to Cartus clients and their relocating employees. Exploring current global mobility “hot topics,” the conference provides attendees with take-home value and best practice recommendations. Cartus is welcoming its global supplier network, representing companies from 175 different countries to the event. which provides the network with the opportunity to celebrate the past year’s successes, recognizing companies and individuals that have truly gone above and beyond to provide exceptional service to Cartus customers.

This year’s theme is Leading The Way, Anywhere, which reflects the industry-leading partnerships and global scope the Cartus Global Network represents.

Cartus Masters Cup

Inter Relocation has been nominated for the Cartus Masters Cup in the category of Home-related Services. Presented annually to the highest-achieving Global Network members who have previously received top awards, the Cartus Masters Cup recognizes a service provider that has consistently achieved exceptional standards of quality.

Winners must demonstrate:

  • total commitment to service excellence
  • a truly collaborative approach when developing cost-effective and innovative approaches for Cartus clients
  • an outstanding performance and commitment—not only to Cartus’ vision and values, but also to its mission to deliver proactive, flexible solutions that meet the unique needs of its clients and their employees, every time.

“We are proud to have received a nomination for the Cartus Masters Cup, which recognizes the dedication and quality of service we have consistently demonstrated while supporting Cartus clients and relocating employees through the relocation process. The rigorous and exceptionally high-performance standard that Cartus keeps all its supplier partners to makes this nomination an even greater honour.”

– Stuart McAlister, Managing director

______________________________________________________________________

About Cartus

For more than 60 years, Cartus has provided trusted guidance to organizations that require global relocation solutions. Providing the full spectrum of relocation services, including language and intercultural training, Cartus serves more than half of the Fortune 50 and has moved employees into and out of 185 countries. Cartus is part of Realogy Holdings Corp. (NYSE: RLGY), a global leader in real estate franchising and provider of real estate brokerage, relocation and settlement services.

About Inter Relocation

Inter Relocation was founded in March 2002. It is a provider of relocation destination services and immigration compliance in Budapest, Hungary. The company was established with three full-time members of staff and has since grown to its current staff of 16.

In addition, in 2003 the international side of the company, called the Inter Relocation Group. From humble beginnings with the company offering relocation services in Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Poland. Inter Relocation now boasts franchise group members in 22 countries across Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The Budapest office acts as the group headquarters.

Protective measures are prolonged until 19/04/2021

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We would like to give you a short update on the changes to the regulations relating to protective measures connected to the pandemic. The current regulations have been extended until 19.04.2021 and we expect though that this deadline will be further extended.

When planning to enter Hungary you need to keep in mind the regulations posted on our blog.
Here are the in-country regulations that have been introduced or modified, after the government of Hungary stated that its target of giving the first vaccination dose to 2.5 million had been reached.

Curfew is now between 22:00 and 05:00 hours.

Restrictions on services are now terminated, premises that deliver services requiring personal presence no longer have to be closed and services can be provided and utilized; though the obligatory closing time for such businesses is between 21:30 and 05:00.

Exception: for restaurants and cafés the restrictions are unchanged, they can only offer purchases for takeout or delivery only.

Shops need to undertake though observance of the below restrictions. Shops which do not undertake such measures shall remain closed.

Restrictions to be maintained:

  • For every 10 sqm of the shopping area one customer is allowed.
  • The operator of the shop must indicate at the entrance the number of customers allowed into the shop.
  • Operators of shops and of shopping malls must ensure compliance with the protective measures.
  • Operators of shops must ensure that customers queueing keep 1.5m distance (except for members of the same household); hand sanitizers are available for use and surfaces and carts, baskets are disinfected regularly.
  • In counting customers, children under 14 and helpers of people above 65 and of people with disabilities are not considered.
  • Shops without a designated shopping area must ensure that people queueing outside keep 1.5 m distance.
  • Customers are asked to keep distance in shops and complete shopping in the possible shortest time.
  • Outside of shops in shopping malls everybody is obliged to keep 1.5 m distance (except for members of the same household).
  • Operators of shopping malls shall ensure compliance with the restrictions.

For further information please, contact us at the following
Phone number: +36 1 278 5680
Email address: [email protected]
or contact your local Inter Relocation consultant.

Regulations introduced concerning business and economy related travels-Additions

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In our latest article titled Regulations introduced concerning business and economy related travels issued on 12nd March among others we have informed you about a list of countries from where Hungarian citizens and citizens/90+ day residents can enter for business purpose.

This list has been now extended with the following countries:

  • Azerbajian
  • Georgia
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kirgisistan
  • Uzbegistan
Currently the state of emergency is declarted to end on 22nd May, so we assume that the shared entry regulations will remain in force until that date, too. Should there be a change, we will inform you.
For further information please, contact us at the following
Phone number: +36 1 278 5680
Email address: [email protected]
or contact your local Inter Relocation consultant.

Regulations introduced concerning business and economy related travels

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Please find below a summary about the regulations introduced concerning business and economy related travels. At the moment they are claimed to be valid till 16th March 2021, though please note, that the period can be extended any time.

Hungarian citizens returning from business or economy related trips may enter Hungary according to general restrictions applicable to Hungarian citizens.

Hungarian citizens may enter Hungary without any restrictions if the purpose of their travel was business or economy related, and the fact is proven upon return, if they travelled to/are returning from

  1. EU member states
  2. EEA member states,
  3. states having status of free movement and residence identical to that of EEA member states based on international agreement
  4. EU membership candidate states (Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey)
  5. UK
  6. other countries listed in the decree of the minister of external economic relations and external affairs

Should any doubt arise with respect to the authenticity of the proof of the travel purpose, then the general restrictions apply.

Non-Hungarian citizens may generally enter Hungary according to previous restrictions, with the exceptions below.

If a Non-Hungarian citizen is the citizen of the states listed above, or is entitled to a stay of more than 90 days in one of those states, and is entering from one of those states, and the purpose of entry to Hungary is a business or economy related purpose, to be proven upon entry, they may enter Hungary without restrictions.

Should any doubt arise with respect to the authenticity of the proof of the travel purpose, the general restrictions apply.

The decree of the minister of external economic relations and external affairs lists countries that supplement the list above, from which Hungarian citizens and citizens/90+ day residents of which may can freely enter from business trips, these countries are:

  1. USA
  2. Bahrein
  3. UAE
  4. India
  5. Indonesia
  6. Israel
  7. Japan
  8. China
  9. South Korea
  10. Russia
  11. Singapore
  12. Turkey
  13. Ukraine

The regulations effective as of Monday, 8th March 2021 in Hungary

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This time in our article we would like to shed light on the regulations effective as of Monday, 8th March 2021.

Please be aware, that previous regulations on protective measures remain in place. The new restrictions are in addition to those, for the periods outside of the curfew period (i.e. for the period between 5 AM and 8 PM).

Please note though that regulations are not applicable to public health providers and wholesale activities.

Social contacts in public areas and places open to public must be restricted to the possible narrowest circle, 1.5 m distance must be kept (except for members of the same household).

Continuous wearing of masks covering the nose and mouth is obligatory within city limits of settlements, on streets and public areas. (People exempt from the mask mandate: minors under six, persons suffering from mental, psychosocial disability or autism spectrum disorder.

Personal leisure sporting activities may be conducted within and outside of city limits, possibly in green areas, alone or in the company of members of the same household, keeping a distance of 1.5 m. During personal sporting activities a mask does not need to be worn. Parks, public gardens are open.

There has been uncertainty about what shops can remain open, please find the list below:

  • shops selling daily consumer food products,
  • shops selling other daily consumer goods (especially shops selling perfume products, drugstore products, household cleaning products, chemicals and hygienic paper products),
  • shops selling essential devices and materials for performance of work, official obligations, economic, agricultural and forestry activities (especially shops selling vehicles, machinery, parts, building materials and devices), excluding shops selling consumer electronics devices as their main activity
  • shops selling animal food
  • agricultural shops, including shops selling fertilizers and slaughterhouses
  • gardening shops and nursery gardens
  • markets and local farmers’ markets, except for shops otherwise required to close
  • shops selling medications, medical devices, optical and vision devices, and animal pharmacies
  • petrol stations
  • national tobacco shops
  • newsstands

Shops not listed above are obliged to close and the operator or manager of the shop is obliged to ensure the observation of the restrictions.

Stay in restaurants is allowed for the time and purpose of receiving and transporting foods suitable for takeout, according to the already existing regulations.

Premises requiring personal presence for providing services must close, except for premises offering the below services:

  • financial services
  • traffic and transport services
  • private healthcare services, including preparation of glasses
  • social services
  • postal, parcel and home delivery services
  • lottery and sports bets services
  • vehicle repair services, agricultural and industrial machinery repair services, household machinery repair services, building engineering services,
  • services for the repair of information technology and communication devices
  • funeral services
  • animal health services
  • animal, plant and food health laboratory services
  • food processing services,
  • public catering services,
  • animal husbandry services
  • legal services
  • security services
  • building operation and office services
  • vehicle and machinery rental services
  • washing and cleaning services

Casinos, hotels, sporting facilities cannot be attended, visiting of and staying at casinos and card game halls is forbidden (except for their employees). For stays at hotels the already existing restrictions are applicable, i.e. for business purposes only.

Ice rinks, swimming pools, gyms and fitness rooms, sporting facilities may be visited according to already existing restrictions, for competitive sportspeople for the purposes of training and competitions.

Sanctions

Compliance with the restrictions is monitored jointly by the police and the army. Premises not following the set regulations may be asked to pay a fine between HUF 100,000 and HUF 1,000,000, and can be imposed repeatedly or even closed down for up to one year.

These sanctions can be applied jointly and repeatedly.

The sanctions may not be applied if the operator or manager of the premises carried out all necessary measures to terminate an illegal situation, especially by instructing the person committing a breach to leave, or notifying police if the person does not leave upon instruction.

No appeal is available against the fines.

Failure to comply with restrictions is also a misdemeanor, to be sanctioned with fines between HUF 5,000 and HUF 500,000, with on-site fines ranging from HUF 5,000 to HUF 100,000 or HUF 200,000 in cease of repeated offences. 

  • Further to the above, there are restrictions in public education as well, schools operate in a digital schedule, kindergartens are closed for an extraordinary holiday.
  • Student hostels operate according to the decision of the director of the education institution.
  • Adult education is conducted digitally in remote education. Exams cannot be conducted.
  • Professional legal exams are conducted according to the relevant decree of the Ministry of Justice.
  • Employees in public administration perform their work remotely at their homes or places of residence, with their own devices.

Work at the regular workplace might be ordered for those participating in the defense against the pandemic and where the type of work does not allow the performance of work at home.

Orders for remaining at the workplace are communicated verbally.

The government requests private actors to prefer the application of home office measures during their business activities.

Border control, extension of restrictions – please read our other article about the restrictions here.

Regulations are valid at least until 22nd March 2021, school closings until 7th April 2021.

At the same time, the effect of the regulations is extended automatically until the end of the emergency regime, or until 23rd May 2021.

Border control and the effect of already existing restrictions are prolonged until 22nd March 2021.