Hungary joins the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, further strengthening the protection of EU funds

Today, the European Commission adopted a decision confirming Hungary’s participation in the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), following Hungary’s application to join it in May 2026. With this decision, Hungary becomes the twenty-fifth Member State to join the EPPO, reflecting its renewed commitment to restoring the rule of law in the country. The EPPO will now have a permanent presence in Hungary to protect EU funds from financial crime.

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office is responsible for investigating and prosecuting financial crimes relating to the EU budget. It makes a significant contribution to better protecting the Union’s budget.

President Von der Leyen stated:“Today is good news for Hungary. This is an important step in the fight against fraud and corruption. The Hungarian people will now have a guarantee that EU funds are used for their benefit. Hungary, welcome to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.”

Today’s decision has significant implications, as the EPPO Regulation will cease to be an act of enhanced cooperation and will become a fully-fledged part of the acquis communautaire. This means that any new Member State joining the European Union in the future will have to join the EPPO.

Next steps

The Commission’s decision will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal. The Hungarian authorities must propose three candidates for the post of European Public Prosecutor in Hungary. The Council of the EU will appoint one of them, after taking into account the opinion of an independent panel. This panel comprises a former member of the Court of Justice of the EU, a former member of the Court of Auditors and a former member of Eurojust, as well as other high-level professionals in the field of justice. Hungary will also be required to propose candidates for the posts of Deputy European Prosecutors reporting to the Chief European Prosecutor.  

The Hungarian authorities must take all necessary measures to ensure that the European Public Prosecutor’s Office can operate fully in Hungary. This includes providing sufficient material and human resources.

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office will be able to commence its work twenty days after the Council appoints the European Public Prosecutor in Hungary. It will have jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute offences relating to EU funds committed in Hungary after 1 June 2021, with retroactive effect from the date on which the European Public Prosecutor’s Office commenced operations. 

Background

The EPPO was established in 2021 and operates under the EPPO Regulation. By the end of December 2025, it was handling more than 3,600 cases.

Denmark and Ireland have opted out of the area of freedom, security and justice provided for in the Treaties. Consequently, they are not part of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.  

The EPPO was established through the enhanced cooperation mechanism, which allows a group of at least nine Member States to integrate more closely in a specific EU policy area. When all EU Member States participate in a law adopted under this mechanism, that law becomes part of the acquis communautaire and is no longer considered to be subject to enhanced cooperation. With 25 Member States participating in the EPPO and the remaining two subject to an opt-out clause, the EPPO Regulation becomes part of the acquis communautaire.

 

 

More information: European Commission