The European Commission has put forward a proposal to release €4.2 billion in previously frozen cohesion funds to Hungary as well as to restore complete access to the Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe programs for Hungarian students and researchers. This move comes after Hungary implemented reforms addressing rule-of-law concerns that were impacting the EU budget. These reforms include measures related to public procurement, anti-corruption initiatives, conflicts of interest, and the effectiveness of prosecutorial action.
Despite the European Commission’s proposal, the decision to lift the measures imposed on Hungary in 2022 rests with the Council of the European Union. The Council has a one-month window to deliberate and potentially approve the proposal. Until the Council gives its approval, the restrictions on the funds remain in place.
The €4.2 billion represents a portion of the EU funds that have been restricted for Hungary. Other cohesion funding continues to be blocked due to separate conditions, and Hungary’s access to EU recovery funds is currently undergoing a separate assessment process.