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

EP Budgetary Control committee (CONT) visit Budapest in order to look into the ongoing issues with the protection of EU budget. The Members of the Fact-finding mission meet with Tibor Navracsics, Minister for Regional Development and János BÓKA, State Secretary for European Union Affairs of the Ministry of Justice.

Fact-finding mission of the Budgetary Control Committee (CONT) to Budapest (Hungary): Meeting with Tibor Navracsics, Minister for Regional Development and János BÓKA, State Secretary for European Union Affairs of the Ministry of Justice

A delegation from the Budgetary Control Committee go to Budapest to assess ongoing issues with the protection of the EU budget in the country, and particularly the control systems and procedures the government has in place to manage the recovery and resilience funding. MEPs meet with Gergely Karácsony, Mayor of Budapest, Dr László Windisch, President of the State Audit Office and the National Tax and Customs Administration (NTCA).

Fact-finding mission of the EP CONT Committee to Budapest (Hungary): Meeting with Gergely Karácsony, Mayor of Budapest, Dr László Windisch, President of the State Audit Office and the National Tax and Customs Administration (NTCA)

A delegation from the Budgetary Control Committee visit to the Hungarian Parliament and meeting with standing committees and with Ferenc BÍRÓ, Head of the Hungarian Integrity. The delegation from CONT Committee is in Budapest to assess ongoing issues with the protection of the EU budget in the country. MEPs visit to the Hungarian Parliament and meet with standing committees and with Ferenc BÍRÓ, Head of the Hungarian Integrity Authority.

Fact-finding mission of the Budgetary Control Committee to Budapest (Hungary): visit to the Hungarian Parliament and meeting with standing committees and with Ferenc BÍRÓ, Head of the Hungarian Integrity Authority

A delegation of six Members, led by chair of Budgetary Control committee Monika Hohlmeier (EPP, DE), looks into ongoing issues with the protection of the EU budget and the rule of law conditionality mechanism in Hungary. Members also want to check the control systems and procedures in place to manage the recovery and resilience funding. Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE), makes a preliminary statement on the program and expectations of the delegation.

Fact-finding mission of the EP CONT Committee to Budapest (Hungary): opening statement by Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE), Head of the delegation

From 20 to 21 February, a delegation of ten MEPs visits Budapest, Hungary, to learn more about allegations of spyware abuse targeting journalists, the opposition and civil society. During their two-day visit, the MEPs speak with the leadership of the Hungarian National Assembly’s Committee on National Security, the President of the National Authority for Data Protection and Freedom of Information Dr. Attila Péterfalvi, journalists and NGO representatives. The visit finishes with a press conference by Jeroen LENAERS, PEGA Chair and Sophia IN'T VELD, Rapporteur.

Press conference by Jeroen LENAERS (EPP, NL), PEGA Chair and Sophia IN'T VELD (Renew, NL), Rapporteur, following the visit of the PEGA delegation in Budapest (Hungary)

MEPs vote on several texts, including Macro-Financial Assistance+' instrument for providing support to Ukraine for 2023, Assessment of Hungary's compliance with the rule of law conditions under the conditionality, regulation and state of play of the Hungarian RRP, Motion for resolution - Situation of human rights in the context of the FIFA world cup in Qatar.

Voting session, including Macro-Financial Assistance+' instrument for providing support to Ukraine for 2023, Assessment of Hungary's compliance with the rule of law conditions under the conditionality, and state of play of the Hungarian RRP

On 18 September 2022 the Commission proposed the freezing of €7.5 billion in EU funds for Hungary, citing corruption and public procurement concerns, after triggering the EU’s rule of law conditionality mechanism against Hungary in April. MEPs discuss the state of play of the negotiations between the Commission and Hungary linked to the protection of the EU budget and the recovery and resilience plan. Closing statement by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice.

State of play of the negotiations between the Commission and the Hungarian Government linked to the Conditionality Regulation and the RRP: closing statement by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice

On 18 September 2022 the Commission proposed the freezing of €7.5 billion in EU funds for Hungary, citing corruption and public procurement concerns, after triggering the EU’s rule of law conditionality mechanism against Hungary in April. MEPs discuss the state of play of the negotiations between the Commission and Hungary linked to the protection of the EU budget and the recovery and resilience plan. Second part of the MEPs debate.

State of play of the negotiations between the Commission and the Hungarian Government linked to the Conditionality Regulation and the RRP: MEPs debate (part 2/2)

On 18 September 2022 the Commission proposed the freezing of €7.5 billion in EU funds for Hungary, citing corruption and public procurement concerns, after triggering the EU’s rule of law conditionality mechanism against Hungary in April. MEPs discuss the state of play of the negotiations between the Commission and Hungary linked to the protection of the EU budget and the recovery and resilience plan. First part of the MEPs debate.

State of play of the negotiations between the Commission and the Hungarian Government linked to the Conditionality Regulation and the RRP: MEPs debate (part 1/2)

On 18 September 2022 the Commission proposed the freezing of €7.5 billion in EU funds for Hungary, citing corruption and public procurement concerns, after triggering the EU’s rule of law conditionality mechanism against Hungary in April. MEPs discuss the state of play of the negotiations between the Commission and Hungary linked to the protection of the EU budget and the recovery and resilience plan. Opening statement by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice.

State of play of the negotiations between the Commission and the Hungarian Government on Conditionality Regulation and the RRP: opening statement by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice

On 18 September 2022 the Commission proposed the freezing of €7.5 billion in EU funds for Hungary, citing corruption and public procurement concerns, after triggering the EU’s rule of law conditionality mechanism against Hungary in April. MEPs discuss the state of play of the negotiations between the Commission and Hungary linked to the protection of the EU budget and the recovery and resilience plan. Extracts from the debate.

Assessment of Hungary's compliance with the rule of law conditions under the conditionality, regulation and state of play of the Hungarian RRP: extracts from the debate

Press conference on the latest developments of the Rule of Law conditionality regulation: Commission’s upcoming evaluation of the 17 remedial measures by Hungary. Statements by Petri SARVAMAA (EPP,FI), Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL (S&D, ES), co-rapporteurs, and by Moritz KÖRNER (Renew, DE), Daniel FREUND (Greens/EFA, DE). This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference on the EU Commission’s upcoming evaluation of the 17 remedial measures by Hungary by Petri SARVAMAA (EPP, FI), Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL (S&D, ES), co-rapporteurs, Moritz KÖRNER (Renew, DE) and by Daniel FREUND (Greens/EFA, DE)

MEPs debate with Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration and Mikuláš BEK, Czech Minister for European Affairs, the proposal to freeze funds for Hungary to protect the EU budget in view of breaches of theover rule of law concerns in the country. Extracts from the debate.

Commission proposal for measures under the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation in the case of Hungary: extracts from the debate

MEPs will debate the Commission’s proposal to freeze funds for Hungary to protect the EU budget in view of breaches of theover rule of law concerns in the country. Closing statements by Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration and Mikuláš BEK, Czech Minister for European Affairs.

Commission proposal for measures under the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation in the case of Hungary: closing statements by Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration and Mikuláš BEK, Czech Minister for European Affairs

MEPs will debate the Commission’s proposal to freeze funds for Hungary to protect the EU budget in view of breaches of theover rule of law concerns in the country. First part of the debate.

Commission proposal for measures under the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation in the case of Hungary: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs will debate the Commission’s proposal to freeze funds for Hungary to protect the EU budget in view of breaches of theover rule of law concerns in the country. Opening statements by Mikuláš BEK, Czech Minister for European Affairs and by Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration. This transcription is a result of an authomatic process. Please check against delivery.

Commission proposal for measures under the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation in the case of Hungary: opening statements by Mikuláš BEK, Czech Minister for European Affairs and by Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration

Gwendoline DELBOS-CORFIELD (Greens/EFA, FR), rapporteur, Isabel WISELER-LIMA (EPP, LU), Bettina VOLLATH (S&D, AU), Ramona STRUGARIU (Renew, RO) and Malin BJÖRK (The Left, SV) hold on press conference on the existence of a clear risk of a serious breach by Hungary of the values on which the Union is founded

Press conference by Gwendoline DELBOS-CORFIELD (Greens/EFA, FR), rapporteur, Isabel WISELER-LIMA (EPP, LU), Bettina VOLLATH (S&D, AU), Ramona STRUGARIU (Renew, RO) and Malin BJÖRK (The Left, SV) on the situation in Hungary

MEPs in a debate discuss on how democracy and fundamental rights in Hungary have further deteriorated since Parliament triggered the Article 7 procedure in 2018, through the “deliberate and systematic efforts of the Hungarian government”. Closing statements by Gwendoline DELBOS-CORFIELD (Greens/EFA, FR), Rapporteur, Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice.

Risk of a serious breach by Hungary of the values on which the EU is founded: closing statements by Gwendoline DELBOS-CORFIELD (Greens/EFA, FR), Rapporteur, Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice and by Włodzimierz CIMOSZEWICZ (S&D, PL)

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