Hungary Defends National Card Scheme Amid EU Concerns

Budapest has rebuffed the European Union’s concerns insisting that its National Card scheme complies with the bloc’s regulations and adequately addresses security risks. The Hungarian government has responded to Brussels' request for clarification on its relaxed entry requirements for Russian and Belarusian nationals, brushing aside concerns that the policy could jeopardize the security of the Schengen border-free travel zone.

In a letter shared on social media platform X, Hungary’s Minister of Home Affairs, Sándor Pintér, assured that the National Card scheme — recently extended to include Russian and Belarusian citizens — is issued "in accordance with the relevant EU framework and with due consideration of the security risks involved." Pintér further emphasized Hungary’s commitment to safeguarding its national security as well as the security of the broader Schengen area.

This response came after Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson gave Budapest until August 19 to explain the changes in its immigration policy. The Hungarian government’s move to ease entry rules for Russians and Belarusians has sparked concern within the EU, particularly because it allows "guest workers" to stay in Hungary for two years, with an option to extend for an additional three years.

The EU’s concerns, voiced in a letter from Commissioner Johansson to her Hungarian counterpart on August 1, revolve around the potential security risks this policy could pose. Johansson expressed worry that the changes might provide "potential Russian spies and saboteurs easy EU access," thereby threatening the security of the Schengen zone. She warned that the EU would take action if the scheme was found to pose a risk.

Although issuing long-stay visas and residence permits falls under national jurisdiction, Johansson underlined that such programs must be carefully balanced to protect the integrity of the EU's border-free area while addressing potential security threats. The bloc fears that including Russians and Belarusians in Hungary’s National Card scheme might lead to a "de facto circumvention" of EU measures designed to shield the region from Russian security threats following Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

However, the Hungarian government maintains that all applicants will undergo the same rigorous screening processes as those applied to other permits. Hungarian officials also pointed out that the European Commission has not previously raised concerns about these processes. Additionally, Hungary stressed that it issues only a "fraction" of the residence permits granted to Russian and Belarusian nationals across the EU's 27 member states.

Commissioner Johansson's letter gave the Hungarian government until August 19 to respond, but Budapest missed this deadline by two days. The European Commission is now expected to evaluate Hungary's responses to Johansson's inquiries. Johansson has made it clear that the EU is prepared to act if the National Card Scheme is found to compromise security.

At the core of Brussels' apprehension is the fear that Hungary’s policy could create a backdoor into the Schengen area—comprising 29 European countries that have abolished border checks—for individuals posing a serious security risk to the bloc. While each EU country retains the autonomy to design its visa policies, the European Commission could intervene if a member state’s decisions are deemed to violate the common minimum rules established by Brussels.