Government Introduces Amendment to Restore Erasmus Access

Világgazdaság reports that, the Hungarian Government recently submitted an amendment aimed at restoring Hungarian students’ access to the Erasmus and Horizon Europe programs, which were restricted nearly two years ago by the European Union.

In its current form, the amendment addresses EU concerns by detailing which public officials are prohibited from serving on university boards and limiting board terms to a maximum of six years, with the possibility of one re-election. According to Veronika Varga-Bajusz, Secretary of State for Higher Education, the amendment is intended to clarify and fulfill EU requirements around potential conflicts of interest.

The EU’s Erasmus+ suspension affects 21 universities over concerns of governance transparency and academic independence with government-aligned trustees. However, the Hungarian government perceives these restrictions as part of broader EU pressure in response to Hungary’s policy stances, particularly regarding anti-migration, anti-gender, and anti-war positions.

The Government believes such stances have led to what it calls a “politically motivated” EU response in education, which, in their view, risks unjustly penalizing Hungarian students.

As Hungary Today earlier reported, this amendment has left out two specific EU requests: barring university professors and rectors from serving on the boards of trustees and allowing foreign-funded NGOs to nominate board members. The Hungarian Ministry of Education views these additional EU stipulations as infringements on academic freedom and university autonomy. According to the Government’s position, enabling NGOs to nominate members or restricting professors and rectors’ eligibility for board positions could undermine the independence of university governance and impose external influence on Hungary’s educational institutions.

Without these elements included, as we wrote, the government hopes that the revised proposal will nevertheless satisfy the EU’s core concerns.

Meanwhile, Hungary has moved forward with the Pannonia Program, a domestic alternative to Erasmus, which the government launched in response to Hungary’s exclusion. According to the Secretary of State, the program has shown significant success this semester, with around 3,000 Hungarian students studying abroad, although initial statistics indicated a slower start. Press coverage suggested that Pannonia’s popularity was limited, with an estimated 700 students initially going abroad. However, updated figures show 800 students currently abroad, another 1,600 confirmed to travel, and additional applications still under review.

This program allows students to study at universities worldwide, not just in Europe, and ensures full credit recognition.

Despite these successes, Hungarian officials maintain that restoring Erasmus access remains essential to ensure equal treatment for Hungarian students within the EU.

Corvinus University, one of the model changing institutions. Photo: Facebook/Budapesti Corvinus Egyetem

The impact of Hungary’s Erasmus exclusion has resonated internationally. Slovenian MEP Milan Brglez recently voiced concerns over the decision, expressing regret that Hungarian students are being disadvantaged in what he views as an EU political decision that does not account for students’ educational rights.

The Hungarian Government believes that restoring Erasmus access is crucial not only for practical benefits but as a matter of principle and national sovereignty. They hope the current proposal will bring a resolution, yet maintain that higher education remains a national competence where limits on external influence should apply.

After Six Months, Still No Response from the European Commission on Erasmus+