The European Commission has firmly denied assertions that Hungary has secured or received billions of euros in previously withheld European Union funds. The Commission clarified that Hungary has yet to file its official payment request under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), a key step in accessing the funds. Hungary is required to submit the necessary documentation by September 30, 2026.
According to the Commission, an evaluation of Hungary’s adherence to the stipulated reforms and “super milestones” will be conducted only upon receipt of the payment request. This indicates that the assessment process has not started, and there is no confirmation yet that all conditions for fund release have been fulfilled. The RRF procedure mandates that Hungary first demonstrate the execution of the required reforms and investments, which will then be scrutinized by the European Commission before any funds can be disbursed.
The Commission has set a deadline for all approved payments to be made by December 31, 2026. However, if the submitted documentation is found lacking or requires amendments, this could result in delays. The process emphasizes the importance of Hungary’s compliance to ensure the smooth transfer of funds.
The Commission’s statement comes in response to claims from the TISZA government, which suggested that Hungary had effectively secured the frozen EU funding. The Commission’s clarification underscores that no funds have been transferred as of yet and that a comprehensive evaluation is still pending. This ongoing dispute highlights the intricacies involved in the RRF payment process and the stringent conditions that Hungary must meet to unlock the financial aid.