💼 Can I take a second job in Hungary?

Yes

Quick answer

Yes — after the eight hours, the remaining time is yours, and your employer can't take it. Under the Labour Code, employees may freely enter further employment outside working time — second jobs, assignments, businesses. A contractual blanket ban on second jobs isn't lawful; what employers may rightfully demand: information where the side work could touch their legitimate economic interests, and consent for competing (same-market) activity. The other limit is performance: the second job may not endanger the first — botching work sleep-deprived, or running the side gig on main-job time, becomes a dismissal ground. Tax-wise the second wage bears the usual income tax and contributions (claim reliefs at one employer only); EFO and invoiced side routes stay open too. Civil servants face stricter permission regimes.

📋 The key rules

Outside working time you may freely take further employment
Blanket bans aren't lawful — 'no second jobs' clauses are attackable
Competing activity: consent required; information duty where interests are touched
The side job can't undermine the main one (rest time, performance)
Public sector: separate permission rules

🔓 Exceptions

Non-compete agreements (for consideration, max 2 years post-employment) can lawfully restrict
Executive employees face stricter conflict-of-interest rules

⚠️ Penalties

Undisclosed competing work harming legitimate interests grounds dismissal — in serious cases immediate termination and damages; retaliation against lawful second jobs is the employer's violation, contestable in labour disputes.

📎 Official sources

Verified: 2026-06-20

❓ Frequently asked questions

Must I report the second job to my boss?

Only where it could touch the employer's legitimate economic interests — and competing work needs express consent; fully unrelated side gigs need no report.

My contract bans second jobs. Valid?

A blanket, uncompensated ban isn't — your off-hours are yours; the lawful limits are competition and legitimate-interest protection.

How is the second wage taxed?

Like the first (15 % income tax + 18.5 % contributions) — claim reliefs (like under-25) via declaration at one employer, or face a year-end settlement.

What's a non-compete agreement?

A separate contract where, for consideration (typically a third of pay), you agree not to join competitors for up to 2 years after leaving — without it, the ex-employer can't block the move.

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