Hungary officially joined the EU on 1 March 2004 and the Schengen Area in December 2007.

The Hungarian EU accession negotiations started on 31 March 1998. Hungary had successfully concluded negotiations on its accession at the Copenhagen European Council in December 2002. Hungary has 22 MEPs, 12 votes in the Council and has chaired the Council of the European Union from January to June 2011.

EU - Hungary

Rule of law is laid down in the EU treaties as one of the values on which the Union is based. It means that governments should be bound by law&nbsp;not to take arbitrary decisions, and that citizens should be able to challenge their actions in independent courts.

It also enshrines the fight against corruption, which unfairly favours some to the detriment of others, and the safeguarding of media freedom, thus ensuring that the public is properly informed about the work of government.

The EU has existing tools at its disposal to protect the rule of law. In&nbsp;September 2020, the European Commission published the first annual rule of law&nbsp;report monitoring both positive and negative developments with regard to the rule of law in all member states. In July 2021 the second edition of the report was published.

There is also&nbsp;dialogue on the rule of law in the Council.

If the Commission deems that a member state is violating EU law, it can start infringement proceedings that may lead to financial sanctions determined by the European Court of Justice. Another procedure, under Article 7 of the Treaty of the European Union, allows the Council to make recommendations or decide by unanimity on sanctions against a member state, including the suspension of membership rights.&nbsp;MEPs have argued that existing tools are insufficient.

​Under the new regulation, effective from January 2021, EU budget payments can be witheld from countries where established breaches of the rule of law compromise management of EU funds. At the same time, the EU ensures that final beneficiaries do not end up paying the bill.

Rule of law

In September 2018, the Article 7(1) TEU procedure was triggered. In this case, the European Parliament voted a resolution calling the Council to determine the existence of a clear risk of a serious breach of EU values in relation to Hungary. This resolution was preceded by numerous others adopted by the Parliament between March 2011 and May 2017, and it made reference to concerns related mainly to judicial independence, freedom of expression, corruption, rights of minorities, and the situation of migrants and refugees in Hungary.

Under Article 2 TEU, the EU is founded on the shared values of democracy, the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights (DRF). Article 7 TEU establishes two mechanisms (preventive and sanctions) to enforce EU values in cases of systemic violations and to sanction Member States departing from them.

See also the previous <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/rule-of-law-in-hungary-8th-parliamentary-term_5702_pk">package</a> on the rule of law in Hungary.

Rule of law in Hungary (2019-2020)

Under Article 2 TEU, the EU is founded on the shared values of democracy, the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights.

Article 7 TEU establishes two mechanisms (preventive and sanctioning mechanisms) to enforce European Union values in cases of systemic violations and to sanction Member States departing from them. The sanctions mechanism empowers the Council to suspend certain membership rights of a Member State, including voting rights in the Council in cases of a 'serious and persistent breach' of EU values (Article 7(2)TFEU)’. However, these mechanisms require a high decision-making threshold in the Council and in the European Parliament (when Parliament is called to participate) and rely heavily on Member States’ willingness to take action.

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/rule-of-law-8th-parliamentary-term_10601_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.

Rule of law (2020)

MEPs discuss with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán the programme for Hungary’s six-month Council Presidency that started on 1 July 2024.The Hungarian government has announced the following priorities for its six month Presidency: A new European competitiveness deal; Boosting European defence policy; A consistent and merit-based enlargement policy; Stemming illegal migration; Shaping the future of cohesion policy; A farmer-oriented EU agricultural policy; Addressing demographic challenges.


During the 2019-2024 legislative period, Parliament repeatedly denounced the Hungarian government’s deliberate and systematic efforts to undermine EU values and the threat it poses for EU institutions and funds. MEPs have expressed serious concerns about the Orbán government’s ability to credibly fulfil its role leading the Council. According to Parliament, the situation has worsened since the activation of the Article 7(1) procedure - to the point that Hungary can no longer be considered a full democracy.

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Hungarian Presidency

MEPs quiz Council and Commission representatives on the premature release of frozen EU funds, the lack of progress in the Article 7 procedure, and other threats to EU values.

MEPs discuss the President’s decision (based on a recommendation of the Committee on legal Affairs) to ask the Court of Justice of the EU to clarify the Commission’s role in and margins of discretion around the unfreezing of EU cohesion funds for Hungary. They will also look into the continuing threat to EU values, institutions, and funds posed by the Hungarian government, including the lack of progress on the Article 7(1) procedure initiated by Parliament in 2018. Last January, MEPs asked the European Council to determine whether Hungary has committed “serious and persistent breaches of EU values” under the more direct Article 7(2) procedure.

MEPs are likely to raise the upcoming Hungarian Presidency of the Council of EU (in the second half of 2024), Hungary’s repeated abuse of the right of veto and blackmail in the European Council, and the Commission’s launch of an infringement procedure concerning the country’s “sovereignty law”.

Plenary debate - Hungary: threats to rule of law.

EP Plenary session - The Hungarian government’s illegal espionage of EU institutions and investigative bodies

LEX signing ceremony in presence of Roberta METSOLA, EP President and János BÓKA, Minister for European Affairs, on behalf of the Hungarian Presidency

Informal meeting of Heads of State and Government in Budapest, Hungary

Meeting of the European Political Community in Budapest, Hungary

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Presentation of the programme of activities of the Hungarian Presidency

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Viktor ORBAN, Hungarian Prime Minister

Press conference on the situation in Hungary and the rule of law

AGRI extraordinary meeting - Exchange of views with István Nagy, Minister of Agriculture on the priorities of the Hungarian Presidency of the Council

Hungarian Presidency Exhibition opening

DEVE - Presentation of the priorities of the Hungarian Presidency - Exchange of views with Tristan AZBEJ State Secretary

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - The Hungarian “National Card” scheme and its consequences for Schengen and the area of freedom, security and justice

EP Mini-Plenary Session - Council and Commission Statement - Ongoing hearings under Article 7(1) TEU regarding Hungary to strengthen Rule of Law and its budgetary implications

EP Plenary session - Commission statement - Situation of prisoners in Hungarian jails, including the case of Ilaria Salis

BUDG CONT - Exchange of views on the implementation of the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation and the release of cohesion funds for Hungary under the Common Provisions Regulation

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Continuing threat to the rule of law, the independence of justice and the non-fulfilment of conditionality for EU funding in Hungary

Roberta METSOLA, EP President Katalin NOVAK, President of the Republic of Hungary

Press conference on Did Hungary fulfil the necessary milestones to unfreeze EU funds?

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with János BOKA, Hungarian Minister for Foreign Affairs

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg (4-7 October 2021), MEPs debate on the state of play of the Recovery and Resilience Facility plans (RRF) of member states awaiting for approval. Closing statements by Paolo GENTILONI, Commissioner for Economy.

The state of play on the submitted RRF recovery plans awaiting approval: closing statement by Paolo GENTILONI, European Commissioner for Economy

The head of the delegation, Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield (Greens/EFA, FR), Isabel Wiseler-Lima (EPP, LU), Bettina Vollath (S&D, AT), Nicolas Bay (ID, FR), Jorge Buxadé Villalba (ECR, ES) and Malin Björk (The Left, SE) summarise their impressions and take questions on the outcome of the meetings and the follow-up planned at the Civil Liberties committee. During their three-day visit to Budapest, from Wednesday 30 September to Friday 1 October, MEPs of the Civil Liberties committee met the Hungarian Ministers for Justice and Interior, Budapest’s Mayor, as well as representatives of the political opposition. They also held exchanges with civil society organisations, journalists, the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights, representatives of academia and the education system, and of several cultural institutions.

Press conference by the members of the LIBE delegation in Hungary

MEPs discuss the state of play of the Hungarian and Polish recovery and resilience plans. The Members debate with Commissioners Dombrovskis and Gentiloni on the key reasons behind the delay and the timelines for the Commission to approve both plans. The extension to approve the Polish recovery plan expired on 3 August and for the Hungarian plan on 30 September.

The state of play on the submitted RRF recovery plans awaiting approval: extracts from the debate

A delegation from the Civil Liberties Committee concluded on Friday a visit to Hungary in which they met with the Government, the opposition, journalists and NGOs. The aim of the trip was to assess the respect for press and academic freedom, judicial independence, the rights of minorities and the wider rule of law context on the ground. The delegation exchanged views with the Justice and Interior ministers, Budapest’s Mayor and representatives of the political opposition. They also met civil society organisations, journalists, the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights, representatives of academia and the education system, and of several cultural institutions. The delegation was headed by Gwendoline DELBOS-CORFIELD (Greens/EFA, FR). Video of the entire press conference released by Gwendoline DELBOS-CORFIELD (Greens/EFA, FR).

EP Press conference EP LIBE delegation to Hungary, Budapest

MEPs meet during a mission of a delegation of the EP Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs in Hungary. Final statement by Gwendoline DELBOS-CORFIELD (Greens/EFA,FR), Head of the EP LIBE delegation

Mission of the EP LIBE delegation to Hungary, Budapest: final statement by Gwendoline DELBOS-CORFIELD (Greens/EFA,FR), Head of the EP LIBE delegation

A delegation of the EP Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs in Hungary meet with the members of the Supreme Court and Constitutional Court, the National Judicial Office and Council. Statement by Gwendoline DELBOS-CORFIELD (Greens/EFA,FR), on these meetings.

EP LIBE delegation to Hungary, Budapest: meetings at the Curia (Supreme Court), at the Constitutional Court and at the National Office for Judiciary and at the National Judicial Council and statement by Gwendoline DELBOS-CORFIELD (Greens/EFA,FR)

A delegation of MEPs is in Hungary to assess the respect for press and academic freedom, the rights of minorities and the wider rule of law context. The delegation meets with Ákos Kozma, Commissioner for Fundamental Rights, Members of the Committee of Justice and the Committee of European Affairs of the Hunagarian Parliament and Gergely Karácsony, Mayor of Budapest.

EP LIBE delegation to Hungary, Budapest: meetings with Ákos Kozma, Commissioner for Fundamental Rights, members of the Hungarian Parliament and Gergely Karácsony, Mayor of Budapest

During their three-day visit to Budapest, MEPs hear from civil society organisations working in the field of the protection of the rule of law, equal treatment, and minority and social rights. They also meet journalists and representatives of outlets covering the whole media spectrum, as well as representatives from organisations working to defend press freedom. Statements following their participation to the meeting with the delegations by Marta Pardavi, Co-Chair, Hungarian Helsinki Committee, Peter Törcsi, Director of the Center for Fundamental rights, Jozsef Peter Martin, Executive Director, Transparency International Hungary, Katalin VIG-MAJOR, Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta and Maria Kristofy, Hungarian LGBT Alliance.

EP LIBE delegation to Hungary, Budapest: meeting with NGOs representatives and statements of panel participants

Members of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs are taking part in a mission to Hungary to assess the respect for press and academic freedom, the rights of minorities and the wider rule of law context. Views of the arrival to the Liaison office of the European Parliament in Hungary, statement by Gwendoline DELBOS-CORFIELD (Greens/EFA, FR), Head of the delegation on the purpose of the mission and roundtable.

Mission of the LIBE delegation to Hungary, Budapest: arrivals, statement by Gwendoline DELBOS-CORFIELD (Greens/EFA, FR), Head of the delegation

Petri SARVAMAA (EPP, FI), Vice-Chair of the Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT), Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL (S&D, ES), Katalin CSEH (Renew Europe, HU), and Daniel FREUND (Greens/EFA, DE), hold a joint press conference on the EU Commission has to cut funding to Hungary, in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

Press conference on the EU Commission has to cut funding to Hungary: The Legal Case by Petri SARVAMAA (EPP, FI), CONT Vice-Chair, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL (S&D, ES), Katalin CSEH (Renew Europe, HU), and Daniel FREUND (Greens/EFA, DE)

MEPs debate on potential breaches of EU law and of the rights of LGBTIQ citizens in Hungary during the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg. This debate follows the vote of the Hungarian Parliament in favour of rules that, under the guise of combatting paedophilia, restrict freedom of speech and children’s rights by banning LGBTIQ content from being featured in school educational materials or TV shows for under-18s.

LGBTIQ rights in Hungary : extracts from the debate

During the debate on the results of the 24-25 June European Council, MEPs discuss with Charles MICHEL, President of the Council and Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission, mainly on the Hungary’s recently-adopted law which prevents the depiction of LGBTIQ content in material intended for minors .

Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 24-25 June 2021: extracts from the debate

Renew leaders meet ahead of the European Council in Brussels: arrivals and roundtable.

Renew leaders meet ahead of the European Council: arrivals and roundtable

During the plenary session (23-24 June 2021) in the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate on the preparation of the European Council meeting 24-25 June 2021 and relaunch of the Malta Declaration. First round of political leaders.

Preparation of the European Council meeting 24-25 June 2021 and Relaunch of the Malta Declaration: first round of political leaders

In the European Parliament in Brussels, Terry REINTKE (Greens/EFA, DE), makes a point of order on the rule of law in Hungary, the LGBTIQ rights and the rainbow flag, sign of respect for fundamental rights, diversity and human dignity. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

Point of order by Terry REINTKE (Greens/EFA, DE) on the rule of law in Hungary

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (08-11 March 2021), MEPs debate on the Government attempts to silence free media in Poland, Hungary and Slovenia: opening statements by Ana Paula ZACARIAS, Portuguese Secretary of State for European Affairs and by Vĕra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission (transcription made by authomated system, please check against delivery).

Government attempts to silence free media in Poland, Hungary and Slovenia: opening statements by Ana Paula ZACARIAS, Portuguese Secretary of State for European Affairs and by Vĕra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (08-11 March 2021), MEPs debate on the Government attempts to silence free media in Poland, Hungary and Slovenia: closing statements by Ana Paula ZACARIAS, Portuguese Secretary of State for European Affairs and by Vĕra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission.

Government attempts to silence free media in Poland, Hungary and Slovenia: closing statements by Ana Paula ZACARIAS, Portuguese Secretary of State for European Affairs and by Vĕra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (8-11 March 2021), MEPs debate Government attempts to silence free media in Poland, Hungary and Slovenia. Extracts from the debate. Statements from ZACARIAS Ana Paula, Portuguese Secretary of State for European Affairs and President in office of the Council of the EU, JOUROVÁ Věra, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Values and Transparency, and from MEPs: Jeroen LENAERS (EPP, NL), Birgit SIPPEL (S&D, DE), Michal ŠIMEČKA (Renew, SK), Gwendoline DELBOS-CORFIELD (Greens/EFA, FR), Raffaele FITTO (ECR, IT) and Robert BIEDROŃ (S&D, PL).

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