In Austria, a blue-collar starting position offers a gross monthly salary of EUR 1,800, corresponding to a net HUF 650,000. In addition, in most cases, the employer provides free accommodation and meals.

Hungarian wages in this category would have to be approximately doubled for a Hungarian working abroad to choose to return, Karácsony said.

He added that it would be much more difficult to lure employees back after they have started a family.