Among the general population without previous international work experience, half said they are open to employment in another country.

The research examined the motivations and hesitations of Hungarian job seekers regarding international work opportunities. Among those open to working abroad, European countries were the clear favorite, with 90% listing them as preferred destinations. Austria (65%), Germany (48%), Switzerland (47%), Spain (46%) and Italy (42%) topped the list. Outside Europe, North America (31%) and Australia (30%) were the most popular choices.

The main reasons preventing workers from seeking jobs abroad included family obligations (37%), language barriers (34%) and fear of uncertainty (28%). Still, the openness to working internationally was significantly higher among young people. “The survey showed that while half of all respondents would consider working abroad, the figure rises to seven out of ten among those aged 18 to 29,” said Blanka Dencső, market research and business development expert at Profession.hu.

“This ratio drops to five out of ten among those aged 30 to 39, and to four out of ten for those aged 40 to 49. Workers based in Budapest were also more likely than average to express openness to foreign job opportunities, with six out of ten saying it was an option.”

The report also found that many respondents would rely on their personal networks for international job hunting. Half of those surveyed said they would seek help from friends or family already living abroad, while 36% would turn to online job portals. Profession.hu noted a steady increase in the number of foreign job postings in recent years, with Hungarian employers listing more than 10,000 international openings annually.

The presence of close contacts abroad is also common. The survey found that 34% of Hungarians have a family member working in another country, while 42% said they have at least one close friend or acquaintance doing so. Despite this, 68% of respondents said these indirect experiences did not motivate them to pursue jobs abroad. Only one-third said it made them consider the possibility.

Concerns about the effect of relocation on personal relationships appear largely unfounded. According to the findings, 50% of respondents said distance had no impact on their relationships with friends or family working abroad. Seven percent even reported a positive effect, while 30% noted a negative change.

The survey underlines a growing generational divide in career aspirations, with younger workers showing more flexibility and willingness to explore opportunities beyond Hungary’s borders, while older age groups remain more rooted—held back by personal commitments, caution, or language concerns.