Poland and Hungary are tightening restrictions on foreign labor, a direct response to nationalist pressure and overwhelming public demand for greater border control. These actions signal a clear shift towards prioritizing national sovereignty over the globalist economic agenda.
Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar, who won in a landslide in April of the same year, has taken firm steps. His government in June of the same year stopped issuing worker visas to employees from the Philippines, Georgia, and Armenia, declaring it a crucial first step towards regulating guest workers. In Poland, Prime Minister Donald Tusk, in power since 2023, has also acted, slashing work permits for non-EU citizens by 22% last year.
The People's Will
Public opinion polls confirm broad support for these curbs, demonstrating that citizens demand their governments regain control over national borders and demographic change. An IBRiS survey for Wirtualna Polska news website in January of the same year found that around two-thirds of Polish respondents believe Poland should accept fewer non-EU migrants. In Hungary, an analysis published by Republikon Institute earlier this month in July of the same year revealed that almost half of Hungarians would not allow any migrants from poorer countries, with another 40% permitting only a smaller number. This widespread sentiment underscores the deep public concern about uncontrolled migration and its impact on national identity.
Economists, however, warn of potential economic consequences. Marcin Tomaszewski, lead economist for the EU region at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, stated that "Fewer workers mean slower growth and less tax coming in, while an older population costs more in pensions and health." He noted that both nations are "ageing before they are rich," having only recently become destinations for migrants rather than sources of emigration. The Polish Economic Institute forecast in 2024, two years ago, that Poland, whose labor force already relies on over 1 million foreigners—around two-thirds of whom are Ukrainian—could face a deficit of 2.1 million workers by 2035. Declines in industry alone could potentially reduce gross domestic product by 6% to 8%.
Reclaiming National Borders
Despite these warnings, the focus remains on national control. Polish Deputy Interior Minister Maciej Duszczyk affirmed the need for societal adjustment, stating, "If we changed our status from typical emigration country to migration one, we have to also adjust our whole system of functioning of the society." He added that Poland does not want an economy based largely on cheap labor, a clear rejection of policies that could depress wages for native workers. The ministry issued eight times fewer work visas in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same period in 2022, though this comparison was affected by a change in rules for Ukrainians.
In Hungary, Prime Minister Magyar confronted Master Good, a poultry producer, after the company suggested it might halt a factory expansion due to the new migration policies. Magyar accused the company, which had received state support, of attempting to "threaten the government and the Hungarian people." He insisted the company could hire locally if it offered better wages. Owner Laszlo Barany claimed his 580 Filipino staff were essential given an ageing population, stating, "People get old, they retire and there is no demographic supply, while those entering the workforce are not looking for this type of job." This exchange highlights the tension between corporate interests seeking cheap foreign labor and a government committed to national priorities.
The Cost to Our People
Businesses in Poland also report challenges with the new regulatory environment. Nadia Winiarska, deputy director of the labor department at Polish business federation Lewiatan, noted that work permits now take over six months to process, with residence permit applications taking nearly a year. Rahul Jha, a 35-year-old restaurant owner, recounted losing a chef who grew tired of waiting over a year for a temporary residence permit. "Denmark gave him a five-year visa ... like immediately, a skilled visa. So he just moved out from here," Jha said. These delays, while challenging for some businesses, are a consequence of governments reasserting control over who enters and resides within national borders, a fundamental aspect of national sovereignty.