No, child labor under 14 is illegal in Hungary under the Act on the Protection of Children and the Labor Code, with exceptions only for light work in family enterprises or cultural/artistic activities under strict permits.
Key Regulations for Child Labor Under 14 in Hungary
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Prohibition of Employment: The Hungarian Labor Code (2012) explicitly bans employment for children under 14, with no exceptions for standard labor. Violations trigger fines up to HUF 1 million (€2,500) for employers under the 2023 amendments to the Act on the Protection of Children.
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Permitted Exceptions: Children aged 13–14 may engage in light work (e.g., family farm tasks, tutoring) only if authorized by the National Authority for Children’s Rights (NACR) and limited to 2 hours daily outside school hours, per Decree 20/2012 (NM).
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Cultural/Artistic Work: Performances or modeling require prior NACR approval, with mandatory rest periods and parental consent. The 2026 draft amendments propose stricter oversight, including mandatory psychological evaluations for minors in such roles.