European Commission proposes unfreezing €4.2 billion for Hungary
Brussels proposes partial release of frozen funds after reforms in Budapest; final approval must come from EU member states.
The European Commission has proposed unfreezing €4.2 billion in EU funds for Hungary that were suspended amid allegations of corruption during the tenure of former prime minister Viktor Orbán.
According to the Commission, Budapest has implemented measures that address key weaknesses in rule-of-law safeguards and the protection of the Union’s financial interests. "Hungary has taken important steps to strengthen the rule of law and to protect the Union's financial interests," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Brussels says the reforms introduced under the current prime minister, Péter Magyar, tackled shortcomings in areas such as public procurement, the anti-corruption framework, conflict-of-interest risks and the efficiency of prosecutorial procedures.
Partial release and programme access
If approved, Hungary would regain access to part of the previously frozen package — €4.2 billion earmarked as financial support for economically vulnerable regions — and would be allowed to fully participate again in the EU student-exchange programme Erasmus and the Horizon research funding scheme.
The Commission’s proposal must still be endorsed by EU member states before the funds can be released. Member-state approval will determine the timing and exact conditions of any disbursement.
The decision marks a significant step toward restoring closer financial ties between the EU and Budapest after a period of strained relations over governance and rule-of-law concerns.
Photo: press material from the event
