The EU fines Hungary EUR 1 million per day over its southern border fence.

Omissions

• The EUR 1 million/day penalty is imposed for Hungary's failure to comply with EU asylum law (Case C-123/22, 2020 judgment on reception of applicants and return of illegally staying third-country nationals), not specifically for building the southern border fence. Framing the fine as a punishment 'over the border fence' is a political characterisation.
• The penalty is deducted by the European Commission from EU funds allocated to Hungary rather than collected directly.
• Cumulative penalties (EUR 200 million lump sum + accruing daily EUR 1 million) exceeded EUR 500 million by 2025, according to secondary reporting; the daily rate itself has not changed.
• Hungary filed a lawsuit against the CJEU over the fine (seeking compensation for alleged procedural failings), so the dispute remained ongoing.

Sources

• PrimaryCourt of Justice of the European Union — Press Release No 99/24 (Case C-123/22, Commission v Hungary)"Since this failure to fulfil obligations constitutes an unprecedented and exceptionally serious breach of EU law, the Court orders Hungary to pay a lump sum of 200 million euros and a penalty payment of 1 million euros per day of delay" — Judgment of the Court in Case C-123/22 | Commission v Hungary (Reception of applicants for international protection II), 13 June 2024.
• SecondaryHungarian Conservative — EU Commission's Migration Fines on Hungary Exceed €500M"Following a verdict by the European Court of Justice, Hungary is obliged to pay €1 million per day—among other fines—until it implements" the ruling; total EU migration fines on Hungary exceed €500 million.