Hungarian Prime Minister Seeks Refund of EU Daily Migration Fine

Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar is seeking a refund of the European Union's €1 million daily migration fine imposed on his country, Euronews reported. Brussels imposed the daily penalty along with a €200 million lump sum in 2024 after Viktor Orbán's government failed to implement a 2020 European Court of Justice ruling.

The court had determined that Hungary breached EU law by denying asylum seekers fair treatment.

Hungary had required applications to be filed at its consulate in Belgrade after building a border fence with Serbia, and most were rejected. The country has accumulated nearly €1 billion in EU fines overall. Magyar won a landslide victory in April's parliamentary election.

Since taking office, Hungary has incurred an additional €69 million in daily penalties. On Thursday, Magyar told Euronews that the fines resulted from an "over-politicised decision" by the court and were "unacceptable" in the current political climate. He noted that almost every EU member state except one or two now seeks more forceful action against illegal migration.

Magyar said it was unfair for Hungary to pay €1 million a day for measures others are adopting. His government is working with the European Commission to end the daily fines while maintaining border controls. He also called for repayment of fines already paid plus €2 billion in post-pandemic recovery funds withheld over missed deadlines in 2024 and 2025.

"We will not let this money go to waste. I believe we will get it, since the budget requires a unanimous decision," Magyar said. In May, Magyar reached an agreement with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to unlock €16.4 billion in previously frozen recovery and cohesion funds.