The European Court of Justice has imposed a 200 million euro fine on Hungary for its non-compliance with the EU's asylum regulations. In addition to the initial fine, Hungary will incur a penalty of 1 million euros for each day it continues to violate these rules. This decision follows a 2020 ruling that found Hungary's asylum procedures did not meet the EU's standards for granting international protection and repatriation of illegal migrants.
The European Commission initiated the case, arguing that Hungary's strict immigration policies and security measures, introduced in response to the 2015 migrant crisis, contravened EU law. These measures included erecting border fences and implementing laws requiring asylum seekers to apply for permits at Hungarian embassies in Belgrade or Kyiv.
The court stated Hungary's actions constitute "an unprecedented and extremely serious infringement of EU law." Despite the closure of controversial transit zones in 2020, Hungary has continued to enforce restrictive measures, prompting the EU to seek further judicial action.