As the need for more skilled workers increases, internships are slowly on the rise in Hungary, both for locals and expats. If you're interested in doing your internship in Hungary, the process will vary depending on whether you're an EU/EFTA citizen or a third-country national.
Internship opportunities are primarily aimed at those who are enrolled in higher education or recent graduates (within two years of obtaining a degree), though non-EU citizens face stricter documentation requirements.
What you should know about internships in Hungary
Doing your internship in Hungary can be exciting. The country's prestigious universities offer a variety of placement programmes for students (and not just alumni of these universities), and many companies are open to accepting interns. In high-demand fields like IT and engineering, which, alongside the business support service sector, offer English-language opportunities, companies now aggressively retain interns to fill junior roles, but this remains an exception rather than the rule.
Hungary is also very hierarchical, so as an intern in a Hungarian company, you won't have a lot of leeway for taking initiatives, but will be expected to complete the tasks assigned to you. If your internship is taking place in a city other than Budapest, you'll have to consider the language as well: many older people don't speak English, so at least a basic command of Hungarian may be necessary. That being said, if you're up for the challenge, you're going to enjoy your internship in Hungary!
Do you need a residence permit for an internship in Hungary?
As Hungary is both a member of the EU and the Schengen area, you can do your internship without having to deal with a lot of paperwork if you're an EU/EFTA citizen. Third-country nationals, though, will need to apply for a residence permit. Students enrolled in accredited Hungarian universities can request a Residence Permit for the Purpose of Studies with a letter of acceptance and documents proving student status and tuition payment. You can do so in your home country, or in Hungary at the regional directorate of the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (OIF).
As a general rule, you'll need the completed application form, a portrait photo taken within the last three months, the identification required and a procedural fee of 39,000 HUF (100 euros). You can apply back at your home country or via the OIF's electronic platform. Provided that all goes well, the residence permit will reach you via post. Find out more here.
Finding an internship in Hungary
If you're a student/former student, the best place to look for an internship in Hungary is through the country's institutions of education. For immediate help and advice on rights, you can also turn to your university's student union or legal aid organizations like the Hungarian Helsinki Committee if you encounter visa issues. Student organisations can also facilitate your placement, such as IASTE (if you have technical experience) or AIESEC. You should also check out EURES, the European Job Mobility Portal.
If you're not a current or former student but want to do an internship or traineeship to kickstart your career, you should check out career websites like Profession.hu, Zyntern.com, and LinkedIn for English-speaking roles. The best procedure for non-EU applicants is to secure a letter of invitation or contract from a host company first, as this is a prerequisite for the visa application.
Popular fields for internships in Hungary
Much like with regular job opportunities, the most popular fields for internships in Hungary include the shared service center sector and IT in Budapest, with finance and HR roles alongside marketing opportunities also being available to English-speaking expats. The growing investments in battery factories also means that there are now excellent opportunities in Debrecen's CATL facility and at Szeged's BYD plant for engineering, project management, and logistics internships.
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