European labor: Germany, Poland, Hungary and legal considerations

🔄 Cập nhật lần cuối: 08/10/26

European labor is of interest to many Vietnamese people because of its high income and the image of "going West". But each country has very different immigration laws, policies change rapidly, and this is also a "fertile land" for fraud rings. The article analyzes three commonly mentioned destinations – Germany, Poland, Hungary – along with the legal notes you must understand before depositing any money.

European labor: a common picture

The European Union does not have a “universal work visa”. Each country issues its own work permits and long-term visas (national visa type D). Short-term Schengen visa (type C - tourism, family visit, business) does not allow work. Anyone who suggests you "go on a tourist visa and then work" is pushing you into an illegal labor situation.

For Vietnamese people, it is necessary to distinguish two groups of opportunities:

• Skilled workers/degrees: working as experts, nurses, technicians... (Germany is a typical example). High requirements for language and degree recognition.
• Unskilled workers: some Central and Eastern European countries were once open, but policies fluctuated strongly and the risk of fraud was high.

Germany: the path to skilled labor

Germany's Skilled Worker Immigration Law (amended, phased in from 2023–2024) expands opportunities for people with vocational or university degrees. Main directions:

Recognized skilled labor status

Your degree must be recognized as equivalent by a German agency (Anerkennung). Once you have a suitable job contract, you apply for a work visa at the German Embassy/Consulate General.

Chance Card (Chancenkarte)

According to the website of the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Opportunity Card allows you to go to Germany for up to 1 year to find a job, work part-time for up to 20 hours/week or work on a trial basis. Conditions: have a university degree or vocational degree of at least 2 years recognized in the issuing country; Minimum German A1 or English B2; achieve at least 6 points according to the scoring system (qualifications, language, experience, age, connection to Germany) if not yet recognized as equivalent; Proof of self-support (usually through a blocked account) and health insurance.

Apprentice Ausbildung

For unskilled young people, dual vocational training in Germany (studying and working at the same time, with salary) is a more sustainable route. See details in the article Vocational study abroad in Germany Ausbildung. Common points of all trips to Germany: German is required If you want to work long term.

Poland: work permits and new laws

Poland issues work permits to foreigners at the request of the employer, then the employee applies for a type D national visa. From June 1, 2025, the new law on foreign labor recruitment takes effect with main changes (according to the summary of the law firm Rödl & Partner):

• Licensing procedures are completely electronic; Remove the “labor market test” requirement.
• Narrowing the types of visas allowed to work: visas for family visits, transit, medical treatment or visas issued by other Schengen countries are no longer a legal basis for work.
• Sharply increase penalties for illegal labor use.

In fact, appointment schedules for submitting Polish work visa applications in Vietnam are often very limited. Promises of "fast slots" and "visa coverage" at a cost of hundreds of millions of dong should be considered extremely cautiously.

Hungary: the “guest worker” program has changed

Hungary has applied a "guest worker" residence permit since 2024, allowing businesses to recruit workers from a number of countries outside the EU, for a maximum period of 2 years, extended for an additional year, with almost no settlement route. However:

• From December 2024, the list of eligible countries only has Armenia, Georgia and the Philippines - Vietnam is not on the list.
• Guest worker quota reduced from 65,000 (2024) to 35,000 (2025, unchanged for 2026).
• According to law firm EIG, from June 6, 2026, the Hungarian foreigners management agency will stop accepting new applications for this type of license.

Therefore, if someone still offers to "go to Hungary as a guest worker", you need to ask them to prove a specific legal basis. Policies may be subject to change, please check official information at the time of your inquiry.

Legal notes when working in Europe

1. Go through a licensed business and supply contract registered with the Department of Overseas Labor Management. See how to check in the article Choose a reputable dispatching company.
2. Read carefully the labor contract in Vietnamese: employer's name, place of work, gross salary/salary received, taxes, insurance, accommodation.
3. Do not travel on a tourist visa, do not take "shortcuts" to a third country. In addition to legal risks, this is also a path to human trafficking.
4. Only transfer money with documents, compared to the service and brokerage fee ceiling according to Vietnamese regulations.
5. Save citizen protection information of the Vietnamese Embassy in the destination country.

The press has repeatedly posted warnings about websites pretending to be businesses, collecting "reservation deposits" to go to Europe and then disappearing. If you're sure to go, read more Prepare before flying to work abroad for the first time and Documents needed to carry with you when flying.

VeDuHoc has 30+ Bookers to hunt for multi-carrier tickets to Europe, carefully check transit visa conditions, optimize luggage for long-term workers and continue to hunt even when prices are high - if you find a better price after you have paid, HVSC will refund the difference. The sending business can receive a VAT invoice. Reference Labor plane tickets and post transit while flying.

Frequently asked questions

With a tourist Schengen visa, can I work in Europe?

Are not. Short-term Schengen visas only allow tourism, family visits, and business trips. Working on this visa is a violation of the law and may result in deportation and a ban from entering the entire Schengen area.

Is it mandatory to know German to go to Germany?

The Opportunity Card accepts A1 German or B2 English, but most jobs and recognition of vocational qualifications require a higher level of German. Learning German is a mandatory investment.

Does Hungary still recruit Vietnamese workers?

According to the most recently published information, Vietnam is not on the list of countries that can issue guest work permits and this category has stopped accepting new applications since June 2026. Please check official information before believing any invitation.

How much is the reasonable cost of working in Europe?

There is no general number. Please compare with the service fee ceiling and brokerage fees according to Vietnamese law and request a receipt for each item.

Europe has real opportunities, but only for those who are well prepared in terms of language, skills and go through the right legal channels. Once you have a valid visa and contract, contact VeDuHoc via hotline/Zalo 090.1800.918 for appropriate ticket advice.

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