Hungary has stirred controversy within the EU with its latest actions. For the past few days, Russians have been able to enter the EU through Hungary without any checks, allowing them to travel freely to other countries in the bloc. This development follows Viktor Orbán’s decision to extend Hungary’s guest worker programme to Russians and Belarusians, integrating them into the so-called “national card” system, which is valid for two years. Those who wish to work in Hungary can even apply for an extension, as reported by the German publication RND.
Earlier in the spring, the Hungarian government projected the arrival of around 65,000 guest workers, who can bring their families and apply for permanent residency after three years. This policy now includes Russians and Belarusians, creating a stark contrast with other nations imposing stringent restrictions. For instance, Finland has stopped admitting Russians, citing concerns that Russia is attempting to destabilise its borders and those of other EU countries.
“There is now significant concern that Russian spies could also enter the EU, or that the Kremlin might deliberately send Russians to the EU for attacks,” RND journalists have noted.
Hungary’s controversial move to extend its already lenient immigration programme, the “national card,” to include Russians and Belarusians has sparked outrage from the European People’s Party and the European Commission, according to Politico. EPP leader Manfred Weber has expressed alarm in a letter to European Council President Charles Michel, highlighting that the scheme poses “serious concerns about national security” and creates “glaring loopholes for espionage activities.”
Weber argued that the absence of a clear necessity for such a broad and unregulated entry system for Russian and Belarusian workers casts doubt on its impact on Hungary and the wider Schengen area. He urged EU leaders to “take the strictest measures to immediately safeguard the integrity of Schengen,” emphasizing the urgent need to address these security vulnerabilities.
Meanwhile, European Commission spokesperson Anita Hipper announced that Hungary will be required to provide detailed information about its decision. “Russia represents a significant security threat to the EU,” she said. “It is essential that all mechanisms at both the member state and EU levels work to ensure the security of the bloc and address the overall safety of the Schengen area.”
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis has announced that Lithuania has formally lodged a complaint with the European Commission over Hungary’s controversial decision, according to Lithuanian broadcaster LRT. “From Lithuania’s perspective, Hungary’s actions pose a grave threat to the security of the Schengen area and numerous European countries, warranting immediate EU intervention,” Landsbergis stated.
He expressed particular concern about the timing of Hungary’s move, noting that EU countries are increasingly reporting incidents of sabotage and subversion linked to Russian security and intelligence operations. “While most European nations are striving to defend against these threats, Hungary is not only hindering these efforts but is also, directly or indirectly, facilitating actions that undermine the security of European countries,” the Lithuanian Foreign Minister added.
Meanwhile, Hungarian government spokesperson Zoltán Kovács has labelled Brussels’ criticism as both ‘absurd’ and ‘hypocritical’. He argues that Brussels institutions and the European People’s Party, working alongside liberal forces, are exerting maximum pressure on Hungary to ‘dismantle’ its robust border and asylum system. This, Kovács claims, would result in Hungary being overwhelmed by hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants, thereby impacting the European Union as a whole.
“Hungary remains committed to safeguarding its southern border and upholding the strictest immigration regime on the continent,” Kovács emphasised.
Politico points out that while the European Commission has the power to suspend Hungary’s Schengen status, doing so would create a significant precedent. For instance, Greece faced threats of suspension in 2016 over the migration crisis, but no actual restrictions have been imposed since the introduction of the open borders scheme in 1985.
