Working in Hungary from Brazil: Visa, Permit, Costs (2026)

Moving from Brazil to Hungary for trade work

If you are a Brazilian worker with practical trade experience, moving to Hungary offers a clear legal path to work in the European Union. Hungary relies on international workers to fill labor gaps in manufacturing, logistics, and construction. However, immigration rules in Hungary have become stricter in recent years. Hungary enforces specific guest worker legislation and annual quotas for foreign workers outside the European Economic Area.

For Brazilian citizens, getting a job in Hungary requires a formal job offer before you can request an entry visa or residence permit. Your employer in Hungary must start the process locally by proving that the position could not be filled by a Hungarian or EU citizen. If you want a faster route with fewer quota restrictions or simplified language transitions, Portugal or Poland are often more realistic alternatives for Brazilian trade workers. However, if you secure a confirmed offer from an approved Hungarian employer, the legal pathway is direct and achievable.

The work permit route for Brazilian trade workers

For skilled and manual trade workers from Brazil, the standard legal path to Hungary is the Single Application Procedure for a Combined Residence and Work Permit (known locally as osszevont karelmezesi eljaras). In some specialized industrial sectors, employers use the Guest Worker Residence Permit (vendegmunkas-tartozkodasi engedely). Higher routes like the EU Blue Card are generally reserved for university-educated specialists, so trade workers will focus on the single work and residence permit.

The application order is strictly defined:

• Step 1: Employer registration. The Hungarian employer registers the job vacancy with the local Hungarian county government office (kormanyhivatal) to obtain a labor market endorsement.
• Step 2: Permit approval. The employer submits the initial work permit request to the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (Orszagos Idegenrendeszeti Foigazgatosag or OIF) in Hungary.
• Step 3: Visa application. Once the preliminary approval or work permit is granted in Hungary, you submit your D-visa application for entry in Brazil.

Where to apply in Brazil and required documents

Brazilian applicants must submit their visa application documents in person in Brazil. You will submit your file at the Embassy of Hungary in Brasilia or the Consulate General of Hungary in Sao Paulo, depending on which diplomatic region covers your state of residence. You must book an appointment in advance through the official consular booking system.

You must bring complete paperwork to your consular appointment. Missing documents will cause immediate delays or visa rejections. You must prepare:

• Valid passport: Your Brazilian passport must be valid for at least 3 to 6 months beyond your planned stay in Hungary and have at least two blank pages.
• Signed employment contract: A binding job offer or signed contract from your employer in Hungary specifying your job title, duties, working hours, and workplace location.
• Brazilian police clearance: A recent criminal background check (Atestado de Antecedentes Criminais) issued by the Brazilian Federal Police (Policia Federal).
• Hague Apostille: Because Brazil and Hungary are both members of the Hague Apostille Convention, public documents like your police record and official school or trade certificates must carry an Apostille (Apostila de Haia) issued by a licensed notary office (cartorio) in Brazil.
• Certified translations: Documents issued in Portuguese must be translated into Hungarian or English by a certified sworn translator (tradutor publico juramentado).
• Proof of qualifications: Copies of your professional certificates, training diplomas, or your official Brazilian employment booklet (Carteira de Trabalho) proving past trade experience.
• Medical certificate: A general health evaluation proving you do not carry infectious diseases, issued by a registered doctor in Brazil.
• Biometrics: Your fingerprints and digital photograph will be collected during your appointment at the Hungarian consulate or embassy.

Official fees and real costs on the Brazil side

Official application fees are set directly by the Hungarian government. The official fee for the single residence permit application is set by Hungary and ranges approximately from 110 EUR to 130 EUR. Processing times at the immigration authority typically take approximately 60 to 90 days from the date full documentation is submitted.

In addition to official fees, you must budget for personal expenses on the Brazil side before departing. These costs are rough estimates and vary depending on your location in Brazil:

• Hague Apostille fees: Approximately 100 BRL to 200 BRL (15 EUR to 30 EUR) per document at a Brazilian notary.
• Sworn translations: Approximately 150 BRL to 350 BRL (25 EUR to 55 EUR) per document page.
• Medical checkups: Approximately 200 BRL to 500 BRL (30 EUR to 80 EUR) for basic clinic exams.
• Flight ticket: A single ticket from Brazil to Budapest ranges approximately from 4,000 BRL to 7,500 BRL (650 EUR to 1,200 EUR).

Under Hungarian law and general European Union standards, an employer or employment agency is legally required to pay for the recruitment and work permit processing costs. No employer or intermediary may legally charge a worker a fee for providing a job contract. Be extremely cautious of fake agencies in Brazil demanding upfront placement or visa guarantee fees. Paying an agency in Brazil does not guarantee a visa from the Hungarian government.

Trades hiring foreign workers in Hungary

Hungary relies on foreign workers across several industrial sectors where local labor shortages exist:

• Welders and metal fabricators: Manufacturing plants and industrial equipment factories actively recruit certified MIG, TIG, and arc welders for production lines.
• Warehouse and logistics staff: Major distribution and fulfillment centers across central Hungary hire international workers for order picking, packing, and forklift operation.
• Construction trade specialists: Commercial building projects across the country consistently look for qualified bricklayers, concrete finishers, and formwork carpenters.

Myths vs facts

Understanding the reality of working in Central Europe keeps you safe from scams and financial loss.

• Myth: You can travel to Hungary as a tourist and convert your stay into a work permit after finding a job in Budapest.
  Fact: Brazilian tourist status does not permit local status conversion for general trade work; you must return to Brazil to submit your work visa documents through the Hungarian embassy or consulate.
• Myth: Paying an agency in Brazil a high recruitment fee will speed up your Hungarian work permit approval.
  Fact: Agencies cannot influence official Hungarian government processing times, and charging workers for job placements violates recruitment standards.
• Myth: You must speak fluent Hungarian to work in a factory or trade role in Hungary.
  Fact: Many industrial employers operate with international supervisors using basic English or offer work team translation, though learning basic Hungarian phrases helps in daily life.
• Myth: A Hungarian work permit lets you freely move to work in Germany, France, or Portugal immediately.
  Fact: A Hungarian residence permit authorizes you to live and work exclusively for your approved employer in Hungary, not in other European countries.

Before you sign

Protect your rights and safety by reviewing this checklist before signing any agreement or leaving Brazil:

• Check contract details: Verify that your contract lists your exact trade role, monthly gross pay, weekly work hours, and workplace address in Hungary.
• Confirm accommodation terms: Ensure the agreement explicitly states whether the employer provides housing, covers utilities, or deducts rent from your pay.
• Verify document legalizations: Confirm that your Brazilian police check and trade credentials carry an official Hague Apostille from a local notary.
• Keep original paperwork: Always retain your original passports, apostilled certificates, and printed job contracts in your personal luggage.
• Reject payment demands: Never pay money to any recruiter or agency claiming to reserve a job slot or guarantee visa approval.

Build your Workuro profile today

Starting your journey to work in Hungary requires clear presentation of your trade skills. Set up your profile on Workuro with your exact job experience, certified qualifications, language abilities, and passport readiness so vetted international employers can review your profile directly. Workuro is free for workers - employers pay to search the register, and nobody may charge you for a job.