OBJECTIVES:  After Hungary joined to the European Union in 2004, health care professionals were allowed to enter onto the European labour market. The higher salaries in Western European countries are important motivating factors for Hungarian health care professional to go abroad. The aim of our study was to analyze the changes in the headcount of health care professionals in Hungary. METHODS:  Data derive from the database of the Hungarian Central Statistical Office. The following health care professional – working in hospitals – were included into the analysis: physicians, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, dieticians, physiotherapists, ambulance men, midwifery, health visitors, and occupational health professionals. We calculated the average headcount between 2003-2012. RESULTS:  Between 2003-2012 the average increase of the headcount of all health care professionals was 12%. We observed the highest increase in the headcount of nurses (+84%) midwifery (+67 %) and physiotherapists (+61%), while we found the highest decrease in the headcount of occupational health professionals (-76%), dentists (-43%) and pharmacists (-35%). In 2003, we observed the highest headcount for specialist physicians (8109), physicians (3822) and health visitors (3631). We found the highest headcount in 2012 for specialist physicians (7114), health visitors (3830) and physicians (3329). CONCLUSIONS:  Between 2003-2012 there was a remarkable increase in the the headcount of health care professionals in Hungary. The changes showed significant differences among different professions. In order to prevent well trained health care professionals leaving Hungary for working abroad, futher increase of salaries is needed.