Hungary joins EU prosecutor’s office, unlocking €16.4B in frozen funds

The European Commission on Friday formally approved Hungary's accession to the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO), making it the 25th EU member state to join the bloc's anti-fraud prosecution body. The decision marks a sharp departure from years of resistance under former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, whose governments refused to participate in the office from its 2021 launch.europa+2

Unlocking Billions in Frozen Funds

Hungary's move to join is directly tied to its effort to unlock €16.4 billion in previously withheld EU funds. The country formally notified the Commission and the Council of its intention to join at the end of May 2026, and the approval came just weeks later. Prime Minister Peter Magyar confirmed the news on social media, writing: "I submitted the application to join on May 28, and today the European Commission approved Hungary becoming the 25th EPPO member state".nampa+2

The Commission described Hungary's participation as "reflecting its renewed commitment to restoring the rule of law in the country". Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that joining the EPPO gives EU institutions investigative jurisdiction over fraud and corruption cases involving EU funds in Hungary.globalbankingandfinance+1

Investigative Reach and What Comes Next

The EPPO will have the authority to investigate alleged EU fund-related crimes in Hungary dating back to June 1, 2021, when the body was first established. This means cases from the Orbán era could fall within the prosecutor's jurisdiction. The office will now work to establish a permanent presence in the country.euronews+1

With Hungary's accession, Denmark—which holds a treaty opt-out—remains the only EU member state outside the EPPO. The Council had already moved in late June to appoint new prosecutors in anticipation of Hungary's membership.facebook+1

Reuters reported that Hungary "is on track to get vital EU funds by showing it is fighting corruption"—a framing that underscores how accession to the EPPO has become a prerequisite for Budapest to access cohesion and recovery funds that Brussels had frozen over rule-of-law concerns.reuters