EU-Hungary, new clash over facilitated visas to Russia and Belarus: “Increase risks and undermine trust”

Brussels – Orban-EU, the long-standing clash continues. Viktor Orban’s Hungarian government continues to keep alive the subsidized work permit program that allows Russian and Belarusian nationals to set foot on EU soil, to the new displeasure of the European Commission. Magnus Brunner, commissioner for home affairs and migration, reiterates that Hungary is a problem. “The fact that Hungary has put in place a facilitated program to admit Russian and Belarusian nationals for work purposes, without considering the security concerns of the other Schengen states, raises concerns.” This policy “increases common risks and undermines mutual trust.”

Brunner’s are not utterances but statements resulting from a parliamentary question on the matter, demonstrating, once again, the anxieties of more than just one community institution. The commissioner merely responds, and he does so without diplomatic tones. While recalling that for the admission of non-EU workers, “Member States retain the right to apply national rules if these have not been harmonised at the EU level.” it is emphasized, however, that “such national rules cannot jeopardise security and the proper functioning of an area of freedom, security, and justice without internal borders.”

With Russia’s war in Ukraine continuing and with the risk of espionage at a time of not good relations with Moscow, the ease of movement of citizens of countries considered hostile is seen as contrary to the policy followed so far of sanctions and restrictions. For this reason, Brunner continues, “the Commission remains deeply concerned about national regimes that cover Russian and Belarusian nationals,” such as the Hungarian framework, on which Budapest has never backed down.

Since July 2024, Hungary has extended to citizens of Russia and Belarus the National Card program, which allows them to work in the country for up to two years. A choice that was the subject of a reprimand by the first von der Leyen Commission, with explanations demanded—and never provided—by Brunner’s predecessor, Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson. A tug-of-war that continues to this day.