The European Commission has put forward a proposal to release €4.2 billion in previously frozen cohesion funds to Hungary, signaling potential progress in addressing longstanding rule-of-law concerns. This move would also restore Hungary’s full access to the Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe programs, benefiting Hungarian students and researchers.
This proposal comes after Hungary implemented several reforms aimed at addressing issues related to public procurement, anti-corruption measures, conflicts of interest, and the effectiveness of prosecutorial action. These steps appear to have satisfied some of the European Commission’s concerns that led to the freezing of funds in 2022.
However, the release of these funds is not yet guaranteed. The proposal requires approval from the Council of the European Union, which has a month to make a decision. Until then, the funding restrictions will remain in place. The €4.2 billion represents only a portion of the EU funds still withheld from Hungary, as other cohesion funds continue to be blocked under separate conditions, and Hungary’s access to recovery funds is being evaluated through a different process.
The European Commission’s decision highlights its cautious optimism about Hungary’s commitment to reform but underscores the conditional nature of the financial support. Should the Council approve the proposal, it would mark a significant step toward normalizing financial relations between Hungary and the European Union, at least concerning these specific funds and programs.