23 Sep 2026
EC proposes to restore full access to Horizon Europe and Erasmus+ for Hungary
On 23 September 2026, the European Commission proposed to the Council to lift the protective measures adopted in 2022 concerning Hungary under the Conditionality Regulation, as it considers that Hungary has addressed the rule of law breaches affecting the EU budget.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that “Hungary has taken important steps to strengthen the rule of law and protect the Union's financial interests. Today, we are proposing to unlock €4.2 billion and reopen the doors of Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe to Hungarian students and researchers."
If adopted by the Council, the proposal would reinstate €4.2 billion in suspended cohesion policy commitments and restore access to Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe for students and researchers from universities maintained by Hungarian Public Interest Trusts.
The Commission has assessed the remedies notified by Hungary on 9 September 2026 and their implementation and concluded that Hungary has addressed the previously identified weaknesses and shortcomings in areas such as public procurement, the anti-corruption framework, risks of conflicts of interest, and the effectiveness of prosecutorial action.
With this proposal for a Council Implementing Decision, the Commission found that the conditions to apply measures under the Conditionality Regulation are no longer fulfilled. The Council has one month from the Commission Proposal to decide on the lifting of protective measures adopted in 2022.
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