Péter Magyar aims to end EUR 1 million-per-day fine issued by European Commission

Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar has pledged to bring an end to the European Union’s controversial EUR 1 million-per-day penalty imposed on Hungary over its asylum policies, saying the issue is one of the new government’s most urgent challenges.

New Hungarian government seeks breakthrough on costly issue

Speaking ahead of his first European Council summit in Brussels on Thursday, Péter Magyar confirmed that his administration is actively negotiating with the European Commission and EU member states to find a legal solution that would both satisfy European requirements and preserve Hungary’s migration objectives.

“We are working on ending the daily EUR 1 million fine,” the prime minister said, adding that the government is currently engaged in what he called “damage control” after inheriting the dispute from the previous administration, writes Népszava.

An expensive legacy from the Orbán era

The financial penalty stems from a ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union, which found that Hungary’s former asylum regulations violated EU law. As a result, the country was ordered to pay a lump sum of EUR 200 million and an additional EUR 1 million for every day it failed to bring its legislation into compliance.

According to Péter Magyar, the case has already cost Hungary roughly EUR 1 billion under the previous government, placing a substantial burden on taxpayers.

The prime minister argued that circumstances have changed significantly since the original ruling. Last week, the EU’s new Migration and Asylum Pact entered into force, introducing stricter procedures for handling asylum applications and allowing certain claims to be processed more rapidly at border facilities.

PM Magyar said that these changes could create an opportunity for a fresh legal and political solution.

A new approach in Brussels

The Hungarian leader used his Brussels visit to outline what he described as a more predictable and merit-based approach to European cooperation.

Rather than engaging in confrontational politics, Péter Magyar said his government intends to participate in EU decision-making based on Hungarian national interests while maintaining constructive relations with European institutions and fellow member states.

He revealed that discussions on the migration fine are taking place not only with the European Commission but also with several governments that favour stronger action against illegal migration.

Hungary, he stressed, will continue to oppose illegal immigration and is also considering tighter rules for legal immigration and guest-worker programmes. However, the government aims to achieve these objectives without incurring further EU penalties, as per Portfolio.

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Negotiations with the EU on more topics

The migration dispute is only a part of the full picture in Hungary’s relationship with Brussels.

PM Magyar announced that his government has reached a political agreement with the European Commission aimed at unlocking approximately HUF 6 trillion (EUR 15 billion) in EU funding. Legislative changes, including anti-corruption measures and preparations for joining the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, are currently being drafted to facilitate the release of the funds.

The prime minister also said efforts are underway to close the long-running Article 7 procedure against Hungary and to revive cooperation among the Visegrád Group countries, with a summit of regional leaders scheduled in Budapest and Gödöllő on 23 June.

While no timetable has yet been given for ending the migration fine, Péter Magyar expressed confidence that ongoing negotiations could produce a solution that protects Hungary’s interests, and at the same time, brings an end to one of the country’s most expensive conflict with the European Union.

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