Hockey in Hungary 2026/27: leagues, salaries and visas

How Hungarian hockey is structured

The Hungarian Ice Hockey Federation (MJSZ) administers national senior and youth competitions. Its structure includes the international ICE Hockey League (ICEHL), the cross-border Erste Liga, the senior Andersen Liga and national age-group competitions.

The market is not uniform: level, budget, training volume and conditions vary by club and competition. A league name is not a substitute for checking the exact team, role, contract and eligibility of an import player.

ICEHL, Erste Liga and Andersen Liga

• ICEHL: an international professional route for players selected for a defined role.
• Erste Liga 2026/27: 10 clubs; the regular season started 18 September 2026, each club plays every opponent four times and eight clubs advance to the playoffs. Published roster rules allow a maximum of five foreign players in a game and eleven registered during the season.
• Andersen Liga 2026/27: 14 clubs; the season started 26 September 2026. The field is split into East and West groups, followed by upper/lower groups and playoffs. The regulations set a minimum age of 16, a maximum of three foreign players in a game and a 15 December 2026 transfer deadline.

A published limit does not prove a vacancy or eligibility. The club and MJSZ must confirm player classification, registration, transfer and the lawful right to work.

Youth route: U21, U19, U18, U16 and U14

MJSZ publishes national U21, U19, U16 and U14 competitions and also links the Hungarian system with international U20i and U18i categories. The exact team, division, birth-year eligibility and roster route must be checked against the current 2026/27 competition documents.

For an international junior, the club should confirm age eligibility, expected role, ice time, education, housing, insurance, minor representation, international transfer and registration. A tryout is not a roster place.

Choosing a realistic level

Clubs assess the previous league, decision speed, physical readiness, statistics in role context, play away from the puck, special teams and video quality. Production in a weaker competition alone does not prove ICEHL or Erste Liga readiness.

Ask the club to name the exact team and competition, explain the proposed role and show how the player fits its roster. For a junior, development and ice time often matter more than the league label.

Club requirements and import status

Before contacting clubs, prepare position and shot, date of birth, height and weight, citizenship, contract status, current league, verifiable statistics, role, video and availability. Goalies should add full games and contextual performance data.

Hockey salaries and contract conditions in Hungary

There is no official league-wide table of hockey salaries in Hungary. Pay depends on competition, role, experience, club budget and legal contract status. ICEHL and some Erste Liga roles may come with professional packages; Andersen Liga is Hungary's national second tier, so players should not assume that every offer includes a full-time salary.

First establish whether the proposal is an employment contract, an amateur agreement, an expense allowance or an unpaid tryout. Then request a written draft and record separately:

• guaranteed gross or net cash, payment dates, bonuses and taxes;
• housing, deposit, utilities, meals, local transport and travel home;
• equipment, sticks, medical support and insurance;
• outside-work expectations, trial period, injury, termination and national-team release;
• who pays transfer, registration, visa, residence and related fees.

Compare the guaranteed amount left after tax and living costs together with the benefits. A verbal promise or headline figure does not replace a signed document and verification of the contracting party.

Housing and cost of living

Costs depend on city, season and accommodation type, so one universal figure would be misleading. Ask for the address, room type, flatmates, monthly rent, deposit, utilities, furniture, arena distance and transport.

Compare the amount left after rent, taxes, insurance, food and travel—not the headline salary. If the club only helps find an apartment, confirm who signs the lease and carries the deposit risk.

EU/EEA and non-EU players

EU/EEA citizens benefit from free movement, but longer stays still involve registration, tax and social-security formalities. Sports registration does not replace those obligations.

A third-country player needs an appropriate immigration status. The club and player should confirm the applicable basis, place of filing, contract, accommodation, means, health coverage and right to start work before relocation.

Hungarian Card for a professional athlete

Hungary's official immigration authority states that the Hungarian Card may cover a third-country national doing genuine paid work in an employment relationship, including as a professional athlete or professional coach.

The application must show the purpose of employment through a preliminary agreement or a valid employment contract, together with the required means of subsistence, accommodation, health coverage and valid passport. The official factsheet states that professional athletes and coaches do not need to provide separate proof of professional qualifications for this category. Each application is still assessed individually.

IIHF transfer, MJSZ registration and insurance

1. International move: national associations process clearance under the IIHF procedure.
2. MJSZ registration: the receiving club checks the competition, roster, age and deadlines before the first game.
3. Andersen Liga deadline: the 2026/27 regulations state 15 December 2026 as the transfer deadline; approved rosters may be amended until 31 January 2027.
4. Immigration: a transfer does not create the right to work or reside in Hungary.
5. Insurance: confirm coverage for training, games, injury, treatment and any tryout in writing.

Player documents

• valid passport and proof of citizenship;
• contract or official offer showing the club's legal details;
• last registration and international-transfer information;
• insurance and medical records requested by the club;
• for non-EU players, Hungarian Card or other applicable status documents;
• for a minor, consents, representative, schooling and accommodation proof.

The final list comes from the club, MJSZ and immigration authority. Do not book travel until the team, purpose of entry and responsible contacts are confirmed.

Recruitment timing and tryouts

Most roster building occurs in spring and summer, while later openings can arise from injuries, budgets or roster adjustments. Contact clubs selectively and explain why the profile fits that team and role.

Before a tryout, confirm dates, sessions and games, costs, insurance, contact person, decision criteria and reply deadline. Use the EHA tryout checklist.