What are shift and night work supplements?
The shift supplement (műszakpótlék) and the night work supplement (éjszakai pótlék) are wage supplements that Hungarian employers pay on top of the normal wage for work at unsocial hours. Sections 141 and 142 of the Labour Code set them, and they are calculated on the employee’s hourly base wage unless the parties agree a different basis.
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Schedule a strategy callThe shift supplement
Employees whose daily start time changes regularly receive a 30% supplement for work between 18:00 and 06:00. The change counts as regular if, in a month, the start time differs on at least a third of working days and there are at least four hours between the earliest and the latest start.
The night work supplement
Night work is work between 22:00 and 06:00. Employees who are not entitled to the shift supplement receive a 15% supplement for night work, provided it lasts more than one hour. The two do not stack: an employee on rotating shifts receives the 30% shift supplement for those hours instead of the night supplement.
Other rules
The parties can agree a base wage that already includes the shift and night supplements, or the employment contract can set a monthly lump sum instead of them. Overtime, Sunday and public holiday work have their own premiums. Employees who work at night regularly also need a medical aptitude exam before they start and at regular intervals.
Shift supplements when TopSource runs your payroll
When TopSource runs your payroll in Hungary, we check each month’s rosters to see whether start times changed enough to trigger the shift supplement, apply the 30% or 15% rate to the right hours and include the supplements in taxes and contributions.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the night shift supplement in Hungary?
15% of the hourly base wage for night work between 22:00 and 06:00 lasting more than one hour, or 30% for work between 18:00 and 06:00 if the employee’s start times rotate regularly.
Can an employee receive both the shift and the night supplement?
No. Employees entitled to the shift supplement do not also receive the night work supplement.
When does a schedule count as rotating for the shift supplement?
When, in a month, the start time differs on at least a third of working days and the earliest and latest starts are at least four hours apart.
Related terms in Hungary
- Written Employment Information (Hungary)
- Fixed-Term Employment Limits (Hungary)
- Simplified Employment (Hungary)
- Overtime Cap (Hungary)
- Telework and Home Office Rules (Hungary)
- Additional Leave (Hungary)
- Protected Periods and Dismissal Justification (Hungary)
- Termination by Mutual Agreement (Hungary)
- Non-Compete Agreement (Hungary)
- Works Council and Collective Agreements (Hungary)
- Guest Worker Permit and Single Permit (Hungary)
- Occupational Safety and Medical Aptitude Exam (Hungary)
- KATA and Contractor Misclassification (Hungary)
- Overtime Premium (Hungary)
- Commuting Cost Reimbursement (Hungary)