A standard workweek in Hungary is 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. Many employers restrict working hours so they do not exceed 12 hours a day (60 hours a week). Hours can be extended passed 40 hours for overtime if approved by employer since many employees are interested in additional income.
The workday starts at 8 or 8:30 a.m. and ends at 5 or 5:30 a.m. Daily lunch breaks usually do not last long. Friday is often a short day and many businesses may close at 4 p.m. or earlier.
The minimum wage rate in Budapest is 105,000 HUF a month. The average salary in Hungary is 441,500 HUF a month.
Hungarian salaries usually must be paid in Hungarian currency, but can be paid in foreign currency if there has been prior written agreement between you and your employer. Salaries must be paid at least once a month, but are usually paid on a bi-weekly schedule.
Contracts must be made in writing. The employer is obliged to make sure the contract is set out in writing. Contents of the contract of employment include:
Contacts typically include the rules and regulations of the company you plan to work for. Contracts may also include confidentiality clauses and restrictive covenants to protect the employer in case the employee is terminated. The contract should also include how to go about any complaints if any need to be made.
Employment in Hungary can be terminated in various ways:
It is best to give two-week's notice before leaving work. The employer has full right to fire an employee if there is a viable reason. However, any type of discrimination that influenced termination is not lawful in Hungary.
The employee is entitled to regular leave in each calendar year in which he/she is employed. In addition to full-time employees, part-time and pension employees are also entitled to annual leave.
Employees are given their leave based on a certain age. The basic holiday entitlement in Hungary is as follows:
The employee should notify the employer 15 days before going on leave.
The Hungarian government regulates public holidays and most are observed by private and public sectors. There are 8 major public holidays that are celebrated in Hungary.