Today, the European Commission adopted a decision confirming Hungary’s participation in the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), following Hungary’s request to join it in May 2026. With today’s decision, Hungary will now be the 25th Member State to join the EPPO, reflecting its renewed commitment to restoring the rule of law in the country. The EPPO will now have a permanent presence in Hungary to protect EU funds from financial crime.
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office is in charge of investigating and prosecuting financial crimes involving the EU budget. It significantly contributes to a stronger protection of the Union budget.
President von der Leyen said: “Today brings good news for Hungary. This is a welcome step in the fight against fraud and corruption. The people of Hungary will now have a safeguard in place to ensure EU funds work in their interest. Hungary, welcome to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.”
The decision today has important implications, as the EPPO Regulation will cease to be an act under enhanced cooperation and become fully part of the EU acquis. This means that any new Members joining the European Union in the future will be required to join the EPPO, the statement says.
Next steps
The Commission’s decision will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal. Hungarian authorities will now need to propose 3 candidates for the post of European Prosecutor in Hungary. The Council of the EU will appoint one of them, after considering the opinion of an independent panel. The panel is composed of one former member each of the Court of Justice of the EU, the Court of Auditors, and Eurojust, as well as other high-level justice professionals. Hungary will also need to propose candidates for the posts of European Delegated Prosecutors to the European Chief Prosecutor.
The Hungarian authorities will have to take all the necessary steps to ensure that the EPPO can be fully operational in Hungary. This includes providing sufficient material and human resources.
The EPPO will be able to start its work twenty days after the Council appoints the European Prosecutor in Hungary. It will be competent to investigate and prosecute crimes involving EU funds committed in Hungary after 1 June 2021, retroactively, when EPPO started its operations.
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Background
EPPO was established in 2021 by, and operates under, the EPPO Regulation. By the end of December 2025, it was dealing with more than 3,600 cases.
Denmark and Ireland have opted out of the area of freedom, security and justice under the Treaties. On this basis, they do not participate in the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.
The EPPO was established through the mechanism of so-called enhanced cooperation, which allows a group of at least nine Member States to integrate more closely in a particular EU policy. When all Member States of the EU participate in a law established under this mechanism, that law becomes part of the ‘acquis communautaire’ and is no longer considered to operate under the category of enhanced cooperation. With 25 Member States now part of the EPPO, and the two remaining Member States subject to an opt-out, the EPPO Regulation becomes henceforth part of the EU acquis.
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Featured image: Facebook/Péter Magyar
