European Union funds may arrive sooner in Hungary than expected

On Wednesday, 3 May, the Hungarian Parliament adopted the judicial reform law package, which is intended to meet the European Commission’s demands. This move will allow the government to access 13 billion euros from the Union’s cohesion fund, which was frozen until now. However, due to bureaucratic processions, even though Brussels and Budapest reached a deal, it will take a few months until the first money transfers begin.

After long-lasting negotiations between the Commission and the Hungarian government, Brussels gave the go-ahead for the reform package. While the Parliament adopted the new laws, this is not the end of the line. Now begins a lengthy process at the end of which the money will start flowing in. According to calculations, at the earliest, this will start in September, Portfolio reports.

Bureaucratic process

Adopting the laws is not enough. The next step will see the President of Hungary, Katalin Novák sign the new regulations into effect. Once her signature has been applied, on 1 June the changes will materialise in the legal system.

Following this, the Hungarian government will have to request a review of the document from the European Commission. They will evaluate whether the new laws are enough to meet their initial demands. The Commission has 90 days to reply and issue its judgment.

If they deem the changes satisfactory, the first transfers can begin. The Commission will then keep monitoring how these funds are being used.