Hungary granted asylum to two Polish citizens, and Poland is not happy – UPDATE: Ambassador summoned

Hungary has recently granted asylum to two Polish citizens. Warsaw has publicly criticised this move as undermining European solidarity and bilateral relations. The announcement, reported by multiple Polish and Hungarian media outlets, follows a pattern of Hungary offering refuge to high-profile Polish figures.

According to the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Hungarian authorities informed the European Union Council of their decision shortly before Christmas 2025, according to Polish TVN24. However, the identities of the two individuals have not been disclosed. Polish officials have formally requested details from their Hungarian counterparts but, as of Friday, had received no response.

Poland warns Hungary

“The Polish government regrets the recent steps taken by the Hungarian authorities, which negatively impact our bilateral relations and contravene the principles of European solidarity,” said Polish MFA spokesperson Maciej Wewiór. The ministry also noted that Warsaw had previously warned Budapest against actions that could erode trust in the judicial systems of EU member states.

Although the two asylum recipients have not been officially identified, reports suggest a potential connection to Zbigniew Ziobro, the former Polish Minister of Justice, and his spouse, both of whom have faced legal scrutiny in Poland. Earlier, in December 2024, Hungary granted political asylum to Marcin Romanowski, former Polish Deputy Minister of Justice, who is wanted in Poland for 11 financial crimes.

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Diplomatic fallout expected

Polish media indicate that Hungary’s ambassador in Warsaw is likely to be summoned to the Polish Foreign Ministry in the coming days to discuss the matter further, Telex writes. Diplomats have warned that Hungary’s actions could intensify tensions between the two Central European allies and draw wider attention within EU institutions.

These developments are another chapter in the increasingly sensitive political and judicial relationship between Hungary and Poland. These two countries often coordinate on EU matters, yet have recently diverged on issues of rule of law and judicial accountability.

UPDATE: Warsaw summons Hungarian ambassador

Warsaw formally summoned Hungary’s ambassador, following reports that the Orbán government has granted political asylum to additional Polish citizens linked to the former Polish justice leadership, 24.hu reported.

Just one day after investigative journalist Szabolcs Panyi reported on the case in his VSquare newsletter, Poland’s foreign ministry confirmed on Friday that the Hungarian ambassador in Warsaw was called in to express the Polish government’s objections to recent Hungarian decisions, which officials say undermine EU cooperation and bilateral relations.

Warsaw demands explanations from Budapest

According to Polish foreign ministry spokesperson Maciej Wewiór, Poland has requested detailed information from Hungary about which Polish nationals were granted asylum and under what circumstances. The request follows Hungary’s notification to EU institutions in December that it had issued new asylum decisions involving Polish citizens.

“We have not received any response so far,” Wewiór said, adding that Poland views Hungary’s recent actions with regret, as they negatively affect bilateral ties and weaken the principle of European solidarity.

The issue was first reported by investigative journalist Szabolcs Panyi in the VSquare newsletter, citing diplomatic sources. Panyi later stated that repeated inquiries sent to Hungary’s Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Justice went unanswered.

Allegations involve former Polish justice minister

Polish media have since reported that one of the individuals potentially granted asylum in Budapest may be former Polish justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro and his wife. Both Gazeta Wyborcza and TVN24, citing prosecutorial sources, suggested that Ziobro — who is suspected of organising and leading a criminal group linked to alleged abuses of Poland’s Justice Fund — may be among those receiving protection.

Ziobro travelled to Budapest for several weeks in late 2025, coinciding with a Polish court order authorising his detention. While he avoided returning to Poland for questioning, he was photographed with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in the Carmelite Monastery on 30 October. Orbán later described Ziobro as a victim of political persecution.

Previous asylum case still casting a shadow

The current dispute revives tensions stemming from an earlier asylum decision. In December 2024, Hungary granted political asylum to Marcin Romanowski, Poland’s former deputy justice minister and a close associate of Ziobro.

Romanowski is wanted in Poland on 11 counts related to financial crimes, including alleged participation in an organised criminal group that caused damage to public finances. A European arrest warrant has also been issued against him.

Following that decision, Poland temporarily recalled its ambassador from Budapest, warning Hungary that shielding individuals facing serious criminal charges undermines trust in EU legal systems.

Poland warns of damage to EU legal cooperation

In its latest statement, Poland reiterated that it had previously cautioned Hungarian authorities against actions that weaken confidence in the rule of law across EU member states.

During Friday’s diplomatic meeting, the Hungarian ambassador was informed that Poland considers certain Hungarian government measures and public statements to be incompatible with the principles governing cooperation within the European Union.

According to Polish officials, the fact that Hungary formally notified EU delegations of the new asylum grants — without disclosing the identities of those involved — has only deepened concerns in Warsaw.