The British government should expect a tough time ahead in its discussions to leave the European Union as member countries work to make sure that its citizens working in the U.K. will not suffer from the Brexit decision.

"We want to fully protect the rights of those Hungarians and EU citizens who have already been working here in the U.K. My understanding is that these people actually contributed to the success of the U.K," Péter Szijjártó, the Hungarian foreign minister told CNBC on Wednesday. "We will be very tough on negotiations," he added.



Earlier this year, Hungary's Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, told a news conference that the 55,000 Hungarians living in the U.K. pay more than what they receive in benefits and should therefore be protected, the U.K.'s Independent reported. Hungary has been heavily criticized for its stance on migration since large numbers of people fleeing conflicts in the Middle East and Africa began arriving at the EU borders. The Hungarian government has refused EU quotas on migrant distribution. But Szijjártó denied calls that the Hungarian anti-migrant rhetoric fuelled support for a Brexit vote.