Published on 5/29/2026
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Friday the release of about 16 billion euros to Hungary from funds frozen under former Prime Minister Viktor Orban, provided that his successor, Peter Magar, continues to implement reforms.
Von der Leyen said, during a press conference after her meeting with Magar in Brussels, that the European Union will disburse 10 billion euros ($11.6 billion) of frozen funds through the “post-pandemic recovery” tool, and 4.2 billion euros through the tool “to reduce economic and social inequality and promote sustainable development across the Union.”
She expressed her happiness at announcing the possibility of providing 10 billion euros to Hungary, referring to grants and soft-interest loans from the European Union’s recovery fund.
Von der Leyen added that, in light of the progress achieved, conditional financing worth 4.2 billion euros could also be provided through the instrument concerned with reducing economic and social inequality, which is additional funds that were previously frozen due to issues related to the rule of law during the Orban era.
Tackling corruption
She explained that the Union will provide Budapest with an additional 2.2 billion euros through the second tool, while the government continues to take other steps.
Von der Leyen praised the Magar government’s move “forward quickly and with determination,” and the reforms that were implemented for the benefit of Hungary and the European Union, as she put it.
She stated that she and the Magar government agreed “on a solid framework aimed at ensuring that Hungary addresses problems related to corruption and the rule of law.”
Magar described the release of 16 billion euros as a “historic” decision.
The funds have been frozen as part of various legal actions against Orbán’s policies, particularly regarding the rights of gays, transgender people and asylum seekers, as well as conflicts of interest.
Magar, whose party has a large majority in the Hungarian parliament, has begun implementing initial reforms.
Last Wednesday, his party voted to abandon his predecessor Orban’s plan to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, and Magar also intends to join the European Public Prosecution Office soon.
Magar’s victory in the Hungarian elections in mid-April brought great relief to Brussels, which had been forced to deal for 16 years with Orban, who is close to Russian President Vladimir Putin and the American Donald Trump, and who obstructed European measures, including those related to the conflict in Ukraine.
