Hungary could swiftly join the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), potentially allowing investigations into past cases involving EU funds, according to the organisation’s chief prosecutor, Laura Codruța Kövesi. Her recent remarks suggest that accession would be technically straightforward and could trigger immediate operational activity once approved.
The accession process seems simple enough
To become a member, Hungarian authorities would need to formally notify the European Commission of their intention to join and incorporate the EPPO regulation into domestic law. Once these legal steps are completed, cooperation between Hungarian and European prosecutors could begin without delay. The timeline, however, depends entirely on the Hungarian government and the pace of legislative changes.
Investigations could even reach back to 2017
As 24.hu writes, a key question surrounding accession is the scope of EPPO’s jurisdiction in Hungary. Authorities would have the option to limit investigations to future cases or allow retrospective powers. Under EU rules, the EPPO’s mandate can extend as far back as 2017, when the legal framework underpinning its work was established.
This means that suspected crimes involving EU funds—such as subsidy fraud, VAT fraud or customs violations—dating back to that year could be examined. Earlier cases, however, would remain outside its jurisdiction.
Kövesi emphasised that the EPPO does not target governments or political systems but focuses strictly on criminal offences affecting the EU’s financial interests. The office typically acts in cases where damages exceed EUR 10,000, or EUR 10 million in cross-border VAT fraud. Kövesi also told that the EPPO as a whole is not a foreign body, but it is embedded into the legal systems of each member state.
What can be the drawbacks?
Although Hungary is not currently a member, the EPPO has already cooperated with Hungarian authorities in ongoing cross-border investigations. Collaboration has reportedly been effective in VAT-related cases.
However, in politically sensitive matters, Hungarian authorities have sometimes launched their own investigations, which, once concluded, prevented further EPPO action due to the legal principle of non bis in idem—meaning no one can be tried twice for the same offence.
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Independent office in Budapest
If Hungary joins, the EPPO would establish a local office led by an independent European prosecutor. This official would operate separately from both Hungarian and EU political structures. Day-to-day investigations would be carried out by selected Hungarian prosecutors under national law, working closely with domestic law enforcement and courts.
The EPPO would also bring significant powers in asset recovery, including freezing bank accounts and seizing property linked to fraud. According to Kövesi, this capability is particularly valuable in cross-border cases, where speed and coordination are essential.
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Featured image: Péter Magyar/Facebook
