Hungary will extend its state of crisis caused by mass migration until the end of 2026, Prime Minister Péter Magyar has announced, insisting that his government will not loosen the country’s legal framework against illegal migration.

The Tisza government has decided to extend the measure, which was due to expire on 7 September, until 31 December 2026. Magyar said the decision was taken after considering the risks posed by even minor changes to Europe’s external border protection.

“The past few weeks have shown that even the smallest legal change can create gaps in the protection of Europe’s external borders,” the prime minister said.

Magyar points to Ceuta as a warning for Europe

Magyar cited recent events in Ceuta, Spain’s North African enclave, as evidence of how quickly migration routes can change.

According to the prime minister, a serious border crisis developed there within just two days, with tens of thousands of people attempting to enter Spain from Morocco in a single day. He said people died at sea and Spanish authorities had to mobilise extraordinary resources.

Magyar linked the situation to a decision by Spain’s Supreme Court, arguing that human-smuggling networks quickly recognised the change in circumstances and attempted to exploit it.

“Ceuta is a warning to the whole of Europe,” he said.

The Hungarian prime minister argued that migration routes can be redirected within days, while people-smuggling networks are constantly looking for weak points. “A single legal loophole or a poorly prepared change can create an unmanageable situation in a very short time. The Hungarian government cannot take such a risk,” Magyar said.

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Hungary still facing EUR 1 million daily EU fine

The decision comes as Hungary continues to face a EUR 1 million daily penalty imposed by the European Union over its migration policies. Magyar described the situation as unfair, arguing that Hungary is helping protect not only its own borders but also the EU’s external borders while being fined for doing so.

He said his government had been negotiating with EU institutions for months over a new Hungarian regulatory framework that would both effectively protect Hungary’s and the EU’s external borders and comply with EU law. However, no solution has yet been found that would guarantee Hungarian authorities could continue acting with sufficient firmness and effectiveness, according to the prime minister.

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Government promises a new system by December

Magyar also argued that the migration situation has changed significantly since 2016, when Hungary first introduced the emergency measure. He claimed that around 20 EU member states now support stricter border protection, making it unfair, in his view, to penalise Hungary in 2026 over rules adopted in a very different political and legal environment.

For now, the government will therefore keep the state of crisis in place until the end of December. Magyar said the remaining weeks of the year would be used to establish “a lawful and functioning system” that would protect Hungary’s borders while also safeguarding taxpayers’ money. “Our task will be completed,” the prime minister said.