Tomáš Zdechovský· PPE

Nuanced

Budapest claims the second largest volume of loans from the SAFE instrument and the highest share per GDP.

Omissions

• Hungary is tied with France for the second largest SAFE loan allocation (€16.2 billion each), not uniquely second
• Germany has the largest allocation at approximately €20 billion
• The claim does not specify the exact amount (€16.2 billion) which would provide important context
• As of January 20, 2026, Hungary had not yet received approval for its SAFE loan due to ongoing rule-of-law conditionality issues, despite the allocation being tentatively approved
• The per GDP figure is approximately 8.5-9% of Hungary's GDP, making it the highest ratio among EU member states

Sources

• SecondaryEuractiv - Commission allocates two-thirds of EU's €150 billion SAFE defence loans to five countriesFrance and Hungary each allocated €16.2 billion in SAFE loans, tied for second place behind Germany
• SecondaryA&O Shearman - Security Action for Europe (SAFE) updateHungary allocated €16.2 billion (8.6% of GDP) - highest GDP ratio among all member states
• SecondaryTable.Media - Why Hungary is the only country still waiting for its SAFE loansHungary is the only member state whose SAFE loan plan has not been approved by the Commission as of late 2025/early 2026 due to rule-of-law conditionality