This is a timeline of the relations between Hungary and the European Union (EU), since the transition in Hungary in 1989-90.
Before accession
1989 – To support the transition in Hungary and Poland, the EU launched the Phare programme. 1991 – European agreements with Hungary, Poland and Czechoslovakia (free trade, possibility of future membership) (16 December). 1993 – The Council of the European Union defined eligibility criteria ("Copenhagen criteria") for joining the EU (Copenhagen, 21–22 June). 1994 – Hungary submitted its request to join the EU (31 March). 1995 – Neighbouring Austria joined the EU (1 January). 1997 – The Council decided to launch accession negotiations with Eastern European candidate countries (Luxembourg, 12–13 December). 1998 – Accession negotiations between the EU and Hungary started. 1999 – The EU reformed the Phare programme to support the preparation for the accession and the structural funds, and launched the ISPA and SAPARD programmes to support the preparation for the Cohesion Fund and the rural development pillar of the Common Agricultural Policy. 2002 – Accession negotiations between the EU and Hungary concluded. 2003 – Hungary held a referendum on joining the EU (12 April). 84% of the valid votes supported the membership.
After accession
2004–2010
2004
Hungary joined the EU, together with Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and 6 other countries (1 May). The first member states (UK, Ireland and Sweden) opened their labour markets for the new member states (the accession treaty allowed up to 7 years transition period). Excessive deficit procedure launched against Hungary (5 July).
2007
Neighbouring Romania joined the EU and neighbouring Slovenia joined the Eurozone (1 January). Hungary – together with neighbouring Slovakia and Slovenia among others – joined the Schengen Area (21 December).
2008
The EU, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank provided EUR 20 billion bailout package for Hungary (of which the EU provided EUR 6.5 billion) (4 November).
2009
Neighbouring Slovakia joined the Eurozone (1 January).
2010–2020
2011
Hungary held the presidency of the Council (1 January–30 June). Prime Minister Viktor Orbán likened Brussels to Moscow for the first time (15 March). The last member states (Germany and Austria) opened their labour markets for the new member states (the accession treaty allowed up to 7 years transition period). Hungary requested a second (precautionary) financial assistance from the EU and the IMF (21 November). Later, Hungary was able to finance itself through the market and did not request further assistance. In the meantime, Hungary drafted a new law on the central bank. The European Commission assessed that the new law can threaten the bank’s independence and President José Manuel Barroso asked Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to withdraw the legislation (20 December). However, the Hungarian parliament adopted the new law (30 December).
2012
The European Commission launched infringement procedure against Hungary over the independence of its central bank, data protection authority and judiciary (17 January). With the presence of Viktor Orbán and José Manuel Barroso, the European Parliament had a harsh debate on recent political developments in Hungary (18 January). Pro-government demonstration ("peace march") held in Budapest, with the slogan "We will not be a colony" (21 January). The European Commission was satisfied with changes to central bank statute, but referred the cases of the data protection authority and the judiciary to the European Court of Justice (25 April). Later, the Court found in both cases that Hungary has infringed EU law.
2013
Excessive deficit procedure against Hungary closed (21 June). Neighbouring Croatia joined the EU (1 July). Hungary repaid the 2008 bailout credit to the IMF (12 August).
2014
After winning the 2014 Hungarian parliamentary election, Viktor Orbán called for building a Hungarian nationalist illiberal democracy while remaining within the EU (26 July).