European Commission moves to unblock 4.2 billion euros in funds for Hungary

On September 23, 2026, the European Commission announced a proposal to unlock 4.2 billion euros in cohesion funds for Hungary. This decision follows significant reforms implemented by the new government led by Prime Minister Péter Magyar to strengthen the rule of law and protect the European Union's financial interests.

In addition to the financial allocation, the Commission will reopen access to the Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe programs for Hungarian students and researchers. These funds were previously frozen in 2022 due to systemic concerns regarding the rule of law, corruption, and procurement irregularities during the tenure of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The current government, which took power after the April 2026 elections, has prioritized meeting the EU's prerequisites by tightening public procurement frameworks.

The proposal now awaits formal adoption by the EU Council representing the member states. This action is part of a larger plan announced in May 2026 to gradually unblock a total of 16.4 billion euros in recovery and cohesion funds contingent on continued reform progress.