The Court of Justice of the European Union has decided in two cases concerning Hungary in its judgments in joined cases C-420/22 and C-528/22, published on 25 April 2024.
Hungary s new immigration law, effective March 1, imposes stricter conditions for third-country nationals (TCNs). It introduces 24 types of permits, including 8 for employment, abolishing the previous flexible "residence permit for other purposes." Notably, it creates separate work permit categories for highly-skilled workers, low-skilled guest workers, and investors.
Many domestic companies are facing the problem that their foreign colleagues in leading or senior positions are treated in the same way as guest workers under the new immigration law, because they lack a documented qualification, which could put them at several legal disadvantages. According to an expert from BLS-CEE Law Firm, companies employing foreign workers need to find tailor-made legal solutions to the new challenges created by the amendment.