The Hungarian Prime Minister contends that the EU’s position has evolved as several member countries adopt comparable border enforcement strategies. He also demands the return of €2 billion in withheld recovery funds in the forthcoming budget agreement.
Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar is requesting reimbursement for the European Union’s migration penalty of €1 million per day imposed on Hungary.
ADVERTISEMENT 
ADVERTISEMENT
In 2024, Brussels imposed a one-time fine of €200 million on Hungary, along with a daily charge, following Viktor Orbán’s administration’s failure to execute a 2020 ruling from the European Court of Justice concerning migration policies. The court determined Hungary breached EU regulations by not guaranteeing fair treatment for asylum seekers.
At that period, Hungary had erected a border barrier with Serbia aimed at blocking migrant entry. Asylum claims were mandated to be submitted at Hungary’s consulate in Belgrade, with most applications being refused. Consequently, Hungary has accumulated nearly €1 billion in fines from the EU.
After achieving a decisive victory in the April parliamentary election, Magyar vowed to swiftly address the issue of the daily fines. Nevertheless, since assuming office, Hungary has accrued an additional €69 million in penalties.
When questioned by Euronews on Thursday, Magyar stated the fines resulted from a “politicized decision” by the court and deemed them “unacceptable” given the current political environment.
“It is evident that Europe’s stance is shifting significantly, and now almost every member state, except one or two, intends to take—and will take—much stronger actions to curb illegal migration,” Magyar explained.
Recently, the EU has sought methods to externalize migration control to decrease the influx of asylum seekers into the union. For example, Italy established an asylum processing facility in Albania, while the European Commission collaborates with third countries to prevent unlawful entry and assist in repatriations, along with plans to create return hubs outside EU borders.
“It is unjust and unacceptable that Hungary, under entirely new circumstances, must pay €1 million daily for measures that others are implementing as well—possibly through lower-level legislation or alternative mechanisms,” Magyar remarked.
He added that his administration is cooperating closely with the European Commission to resolve the daily fines, all the while continuing to keep migrants outside Hungary’s frontiers. Further, the prime minister demanded the EU repay the fines already collected, along with €2 billion in post-pandemic recovery funds withheld due to missed deadlines in 2024 and 2025.
“This money will not be wasted. A resolution is urgent, and we will request the return of these funds. I am confident we will succeed because the budget requires unanimous approval,” Magyar concluded.
The EU aims to conclude its next seven-year budget by year-end, a process that needs consent from all 27 member states.
In May, Magyar reached an agreement with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to release €16.4 billion in recovery and cohesion funds previously frozen over rule-of-law and corruption issues. Hungary must complete several reforms before accessing these resources.