Written contract
The Labour Code expects a written employment contract covering the job, pay, place of work, and hours.
Countries/Hungary/Hiring guide
Europe · Hiring guide · 2026
Hiring in Hungary: labour law and payroll
This page is the labour-law and payroll stack for multinational employers hiring in Hungary. It is not a salary survey.
In-country employment is how you run this stack without a Kft.
To hire without incorporating first, use in-country employment in Hungary.
Contracts
Contracts and probation
Probation
Probation is generally up to three months, or up to six months by collective agreement. State the period in the contract.
Fixed-term
Fixed-term contracts are allowed if the term is definite. Chaining them to avoid indefinite status is a dispute.
Hours
Working time and overtime
Hours
Standard full-time is generally 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week. Working-time frames can average hours over a reference period.
Overtime
Overtime needs a lawful basis. Premiums or time off in lieu apply; annual overtime caps exist. Do not treat plant overtime as unlimited.
Leave
Base annual leave is 20 working days, rising with age. Extra days apply for children and certain conditions.
Wage floor
Minimum wage, 2026
Two statutory floors apply from 1 January 2026. Employer szocho is 13%. These are not market salaries.
| Rule | Figure |
|---|---|
| Minimum wage | HUF 322,800 / month gross |
| Guaranteed minimum wage | HUF 373,200 / month gross for jobs requiring secondary qualification or vocational training |
| Employer szocho | 13% of the relevant gross base |
| 13th month | Not statutory |
Skilled plant roles usually sit on the guaranteed minimum, not the general minimum. Employee net pay is after 15% PIT and 18.5% employee social-security contribution — that is withheld from gross, not added on top.
Exit
Terminating and offboarding
Notice
Employer notice generally starts at 30 days and grows with service. Grounds and justification rules apply to ordinary dismissal.
Severance
Statutory severance can apply based on length of service when the employer terminates (other than for cause). Accrue it in the hire plan for long-stay roles.
Cause vs ordinary
Immediate dismissal for cause has a short deadline after the employer learns of the facts. Do not sit on a misconduct file.
Questions
FAQ
- What is the 2026 minimum wage in Hungary?
- HUF 322,800 per month, or HUF 373,200 for roles requiring at least secondary qualifications or vocational training.
- What does the employer pay on top of gross?
- Social contribution tax of 13% of the relevant base in 2026.
- Is a 13th month required?
- No. Any 13th month is contractual or from a collective agreement.
- How long is probation?
- Generally up to three months, or up to six months by collective agreement.
Other markets
Other hiring guide pages
Reviewed 11 September 2026
This is a hiring briefing for multinational employers, not legal advice. Statutory rates move by city, province, and sector. Confirm the place of work before you issue an offer.
Sources
- Hungarian Labour Code (Mt.)
- 2026 minimum wage and guaranteed minimum wage (HUF 322,800 / 373,200)
- Social contribution tax (szocho) 13% in 2026
Hire in Hungary
Tell us the city, the role, and whether this is a local contract or a search.