Hungary's parliament votes to withdraw from the ICC
With a clear majority of 134 votes in favor, 37 against and seven abstentions, the Hungarian parliament voted to withdraw from the International Criminal Court.
The government of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán cites the fact that the ICC is a "politically motivated legal instrument" as the reason for the move. The resolution adopted states that Hungary no longer has a place in such a "politicized institution".
Trigger: Arrest warrant for Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu
The background to the decision is an international arrest warrant against Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Joav Galant. They are accused of alleged war crimes in the Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu traveled to Budapest for an official visit in April, where he was received by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. According to the provisions of the ICC , Hungary would have been obliged to execute the arrest warrant for the Israeli prime minister.
However, Orbán had already announced in advance that he would ignore it. In the presence of Netanyahu, the Hungarian head of state described the criminal court as a "political instrument" and explained that the arrest warrants against the Israeli politicians were a key reason for his country's decision to leave.
Hungary's course strains relations with the EU
The withdrawal from the ICC is likely to further strain the already strained relations between Hungary and the EU. The Orbán government has already been criticized in the past for violations of the rule of law, restrictions on press freedom and a controversial judicial reform.
Particularly explosive: until now, all 27 EU member states were party to the ICC. Once the withdrawal comes into force in around a year, Hungary would be the first and only EU country to no longer belong to the International Criminal Court.
Is Hungary now leaving the EU?
Orbán himself recently fueled speculation about his country's possible exit from the EU. At a forum of the ruling Fidesz party in April 2025, he said that Hungary would probably not have joined the EU in 2004 if the Union had already taken its current form.
"There will come a time when we will have to seriously consider leaving," said Orbán. At the same time, however, he emphasized that this would have to be carefully considered.
An exit would only be justified if the disadvantages of EU membership clearly outweighed the advantages. "From today's perspective, this moment has not yet been reached," he added. He also pointed out that leaving the EU would only be an option for Hungary if the conditions outside the Union were clearly more favorable.
What consequences would this have for Hungarian nationals in Germany?
Hungary's exit from the EU is therefore not yet on the table. However, Orbán's latest statements have once again made observers sit up and take notice. For the 200,000 or so Hungarians living in Germany in particular, leaving the EU would have far-reaching consequences:
Loss of EU freedom of movement
As a non-EU state, Hungary would receive the status of a third country. The previously unrestricted freedom to travel within the EU - to live, work and study - would no longer apply to Hungarian nationals.
- Hungarian citizens would have to apply for work permits
- Stays could require a visa
- Professional and educational qualifications would no longer be automatically recognized
Changed right of residence
Many Hungarians living in Germany (or another EU country) would be forced to reorganize their residence status.
- Residence permit would have to be applied for again
- Family reunification from Hungary would no longer be guaranteed
Economic and bureaucratic hurdles
Not only individuals, but also companies would be affected.
- Money transfers between Hungary and Germany would become more complicated
- Border controls would restrict the free movement of goods and people
- Hungarian companies must expect new legal requirements in trade
Our advice to you:
Even if Hungary's exit from the EU is not currently imminent, the latest statements by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán show that such a step cannot be ruled out in the future. For Hungarian nationals living permanently in Germany, this could have serious consequences for their residence status, freedom of movement and social security.
Our recommendation: Check the possibility of Naturalization in Germany. As a German citizen, you benefit from the full rights of the EU - even if Hungary leaves the EU. You also have the option of dual citizenship.
