Recent claims that Hungary has already accessed billions of euros in European Union funds have been firmly denied by the European Commission. In response to statements from the Hungarian government, the Commission clarified that Hungary has not yet submitted its official payment request under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). The deadline for Hungary to provide the necessary documentation is September 30, 2026.
The European Commission emphasized that it will conduct a thorough assessment of Hungary’s adherence to the stipulated reforms and “super milestones” only after it receives the formal payment request. This indicates that the review process is still pending and no confirmation has been given that Hungary has fulfilled all the necessary conditions to unlock the funds.
The RRF process stipulates that Hungary must first demonstrate the implementation of required reforms and investments. Only after this evidence is presented will the European Commission evaluate the submission. Approval of the funds hinges on this meticulous review, and any funds that meet the criteria will be disbursed by December 31, 2026. However, should there be any issues with Hungary’s submission, further documentation or amendments might be required, potentially delaying the release of the funds.
The controversy arises in the wake of assertions by the TISZA government that Hungary had effectively secured the previously frozen EU funding. The European Commission’s recent statements make it clear that no funds have been transferred yet, and the final evaluation is still in progress. This clarification underscores the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that all member states meet the necessary criteria before accessing the Recovery and Resilience Facility funds.