Hungary and the EU

Latest business news about Hungary and the European Union.

Brussels takes legal action against Hungary's for new 'sovereignty law' — 08 February 2024, 00:11 CET

The European Commission decided Wednesday to open an infringement procedure against Hungary for violating EU law with its new Defence of Sovereignty law.

EU must freeze funding to Hungary, insist MEPs — 28 November 2022, 18:43 CET

The EU should resist pressure from Hungary and go ahead with adopting the proposed rule of law conditionality measures to suspend EU cohesion funds, Europe's Parliament said on Thursday.

Hungary can no longer be considered a full democracy: MEPs — 16 September 2022, 23:08 CET

The European Parliament condemned Thursday the "deliberate and systematic efforts of the Hungarian government" to undermine European values and demands results in the Article 7 process.

Poland, Hungary in spotlight over judicial independence — 14 July 2022, 23:00 CET

Against the backdrop of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the EU's annual Rule of Law Report, published Wednesday, highlights lack of action on the issues of judicial independence and corruption.

Poland, Hungary under rule of law spotlight — 01 October 2020, 18:28 CET

Europe faces important challenges to the rule of law, an EU-wide report published Wednesday by the Commission shows, highlighting the threat to Poland's judicial independence and corruption in Hungary.

Euro candidates still to meet EU convergence demands — 11 June 2020, 23:00 CET

The European Commission published the 2020 convergence report Wednesday, in which it provides its assessment of the progress non-euro area Member States have made towards adopting the euro.

EU takes legal action against Hungary over migrants — 19 July 2018, 23:39 CET

The Commission has referred Hungary to the EU Court of Justice for non-compliance of asylum and return legislation with EU law, and sent a letter of formal notice concerning new Hungarian migrant legislation.

MEPs demand EU sanctions against Hungary — 17 May 2017, 23:40 CET

The human rights situation in Hungary justifies the triggering of an 'Article 7' procedure which may result in sanctions for Hungary, the European Parliament said in a resolution adopted on Wednesday.

Hungarian ad tax 'breaches EU State aid rules' — 08 November 2016, 17:02 CET

The Hungarian advertisement tax is in breach of EU State aid rules, the European Commission has found, because its progressive tax rates grant a selective advantage to certain companies.

Jewish life in Hungary: Achievements, challenges and priorities since the collapse of communism — 28 October 2014, 10:49 CET

A detailed look at Jewish life in Hungary based on interviews with a broad range of Hungarian Jewish leaders. It calls for greater levels of co-operation and co-ordination between Jewish communal organizations and initiatives, and stresses a need for a more religiously pluralist communal environment. Part of a four-paper series looking at Jewish life in east-central Europe since the collapse of communism, the authors of the Hungary report highlight the existence of a sharp critique of community management structures, and recommend urgent structural reform. The research was conducted by the leading specialist in the sociology of Hungarian Jewry, and was funded by the Rothschild Foundation (Hanadiv) Europe. A Hungarian language version is also available.

Hungary: country overview — 30 January 2017, 22:23 CET

Under the leadership of Janos KADAR in 1968, Hungary began liberalizing its economy, introducing so-called "Goulash Communism." Hungary held its first multi-party elections in 1990 and initiated a free market economy. It joined NATO in 1999 and the EU five years later. The most important sectors of Hungary’s economy in 2015 were industry (27.4 %), wholesale and retail trade, transport, accommodation and food services (18.3 %) and public administration, defence, education, human health and social work activities (17.6 %). Hungary’s main export partners are Germany, Romania and Slovakia, while its main import partners are Germany, China and Austria.

Excessive Deficit Procedure recommendations on Bulgaria, Germany and Hungary - guide — 30 May 2012, 16:24 CET

Along with the country-specific recommendations and the conclusions of the in-depth reviews, the European Commission is today also making three proposals to the Council related to the Excessive Deficit Procedure (EDP). Firstly, the Commission is recommending that the Council abrogate the EDP for Bulgaria and Germany, as foreseen in Article 126(12) of the Treaty. In March, Bulgaria and Germany notified that their 2011 general government deficit was below 3% of GDP. Following the validation of these figures by Eurostat on 23 April 2012, and also taking into account that the Commission's 2012 spring forecast shows that these deficits will remain durably below 3% of GDP, the Commission has concluded that the correction of their excessive deficits is ensured. Secondly, the Commission has adopted a proposal for a Council decision to lift the suspension of commitments from the Cohesion Fund for Hungary, after concluding that the country has taken the necessary action to correct its excessive deficit, in line with the Council Recommendation of 13 March 2012. More specifically, the Commission has concluded in its assessment that the 2012 budget deficit target of 2.5% of GDP is expected to be reached and the 2013 budget deficit is expected to be well below the 3% of GDP reference value, despite the slight weakening of the macroeconomic environment, as indicated by the Commission in its 2012 spring forecast. The Commission will continue to closely monitor budgetary developments in Hungary, in accordance with the Stability and Growth Pact.

Doing business in Hungary: Sustainability — 11 April 2012, 23:12 CET

Hungarian legislation defines certain rules that businesses have to follow in order to ensure that their activities do not have adverse social and environmental impacts.

Doing business in Hungary: Environmental rules — 11 April 2012, 22:48 CET

After joining the EU, Hungary redrafted nearly all of its environmental protection legislation.

Doing business in Hungary: Staff welfare — 10 April 2012, 11:37 CET

Social legislation in Hungary ensures equal opportunities for men and women and sets health and safety standards at the workplace.

Commission continues accelerated infringement procedure on independence of the data protection supervisor and measures affecting the judiciary and asks additional information on central bank's independence — 07 March 2012, 22:01 CET

The European Commission has decided on further steps following Hungary’s reply to three letters of formal notice of 17 January and their legal analysis. The promise to change Hungary's legislation affecting the independence of the central bank addresses some of the key concerns of the Commission. Now, the Commission says, Hungary needs to flesh out these commitments and provide evidence through new legislation. Hungary also needs to provide additional commitments and further clarifications. Depending on this additional evidence and information, the Commission says it will decide the next steps. At the same time, the Commission still has concerns about measures affecting the judiciary and the independence of the country’s data protection supervisor.

'Assessment of budgetary implementation in the context of the ongoing Excessive Deficit Procedures after the Commission Services' 2011 Autumn Forecast — 11 January 2012, 16:41 CET

The European Commission concluded that Hungary has not made sufficient progress towards a timely and sustainable correction of its excessive deficit and proposes to move to the next stage of the Excessive Deficit Procedure (EDP)

Contact lens law is clarified by EU Court — 26 January 2011, 20:10 CET

Banning the sale of contact lenses on the Internet on the grounds of consumer health is disproportionate to consumer health requirements, the European Court of Justice has ruled.

Hungary Mining Act violates EU state aid rules: EC — 09 June 2010, 17:13 CET

The European Commission has concluded that a 2005 agreement between the Hungarian government and the Oil and Gas Company MOL conferred a financial advantage on the company that cannot be exempted under EU State aid rules.

EU authorises compensation to electricity producers in Hungary — 27 April 2010, 22:22 CET

The European Commission has authorised, under EU State aid rules, an aid scheme to compensate electricity producers for costs incurred after liberalisation of the market in Hungary.

Representation of the European Commission in Hungary — 29 October 2009, 15:53 CET

Contacts of the European Commission representation in Hungary.

Hungary Investment Climate 2009 — 29 October 2009, 15:53 CET

Hungary maintains an open economy and attracting foreign investment remains a priority for the Hungarian government.

Access to finance — 20 June 2012, 23:53 CET

The Hungarian state helps companies gain access to finance in many ways: direct support, indirect support, preferential loans, financial assets, etc.

Starting a business in Hungary — 19 June 2012, 12:41 CET

An overview of the process of starting a new business in Hungary.

Hungary and the euro — 04 February 2008, 00:15 CET

Hungary joined the European Union in 2004 and is currently preparing to adopt the euro.