Healthcare workers in Hungary learned they will get a raise in 2027. The government announced an average increase of 17 percent. For many, this news brought disappointment instead of relief.
A union representing these workers explained why. Many had hoped for more. They also said the real problem runs much deeper than pay alone.
The wage increase will affect about 123,000 people. It includes not just doctors and nurses, but also those in basic care, home nursing, and technical roles. The union called this a positive step. They noted that with low expected inflation, this could mean a real gain in purchasing power. Overtime and on-call pay will also rise, which helps those working extra shifts.
But questions remain. No one yet knows the exact new salary for each job. A final pay scale is still being prepared. The union is waiting for talks on these details.
For example, the average gross salary for a healthcare professional is currently 570,000 forints. A 15 percent raise would add 85,500 forints before taxes. What you actually take home depends on your personal tax situation.
The government also plans a personal income tax cut for those earning under 680,000 forints. This could help younger or lower-paid staff the most. For higher earners, the change will be smaller.
The bigger issue is there simply are not enough people to do the work. Burnout is severe, especially in busy hospitals and in specialties with too few workers. Based on current overtime and expected retirements, the union estimates the system needs to hire about 20,000 new professionals.
Right now, the government has only announced funding for 4,000 unfilled jobs. This gap is a warning. More money for salaries is necessary but it is not sufficient. The system also needs more money to hire more people.
Without enough staff, those who remain face impossible workloads. The union is pushing for a long-term career model. This model would guarantee regular raises and properly reward experience, responsibility, and heavy workloads.
They stress that real dialogue is needed. Decisions about workers’ lives should be made together with them, not just announced to them.
The reaction from many healthcare workers online has been clear. They doubt a 17 percent raise will be enough to fix their situation. They feel the plan addresses only part of the problem and leaves the core issue of being overworked and understaffed untouched. The path forward requires both better pay and more colleagues to share the burden.
- 17 percent average raise announced
- Affects about 123,000 healthcare workers
- Includes doctors, nurses, and basic care staff
- Overtime and on-call pay to rise
- Union awaiting final pay scale discussions
- Need for 20,000 new staff members
| Position | Current Salary (forints) | 15% Raise (before taxes) |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Professional | 570,000 | 85,500 |
