Overview
- The European Commission announced on Friday, May 29, 2026, that roughly €16.4 billion in previously frozen funds is to be unlocked for Hungary conditional on concrete reforms and verified implementation.
- Brussels says access to the cash depends on so‑called "super milestones" that cover restoring judicial independence, stronger anti‑corruption powers and transparent public procurement and that funds will be paid only after those measures are implemented and checked.
- An imminent European Court of Justice process reviewing the Commission’s 2023 partial release of funds creates a legal risk that could overturn or delay the deal and leaves the Commission cautious about releasing money on promises alone.
- Prime Minister Péter Magyar has the parliamentary supermajority to pass laws quickly but key offices remain held by Viktor Orbán appointees, which experts say could trigger legal challenges or a constitutional clash that would slow implementation.
- Hungary is still linking progress on Ukraine’s EU accession clusters to Kyiv accepting Budapest’s 11‑point demands for the Hungarian minority, a parallel diplomatic row that could keep Warsaw‑level accession steps stalled even if Brussels and Budapest proceed on funds.