Commission sends reasoned opinion to Hungary on Higher Education Law

Author (Corporate)
Series Title
Series Details IP/17/1952 (13.07.17)
Publication Date 13/07/2017
Content Type

Background and further information:

The Hungarian Parliament adopted on 4 April 2017 an amendment to the country's Higher Education Act of 2011. The changes added new requirements as regards the name of foreign higher education institutions, the need for bilateral agreements between Hungary and a non-EEA country of origin of the foreign higher education institution, the need to provide higher education services also in the country of origin as well as additional requirements for the registration and authorisation of higher education services in Hungary.

On 26 April, the European Commission followed up on its 12 April discussion on legal and fundamental values issues related to Hungary. The Commission decided to take legal action and sent a letter of formal notice to the Hungarian Government on the Hungarian Higher Education Law. The Hungarian authorities responded on 25 May.

The Commission decided to proceed with the second stage of the infringement procedure on the grounds that the law as amended is not compatible with the freedom for higher education institutions to provide services and establish themselves anywhere in the European Union. In addition, the Commission also remained of the opinion that the new legislation run counter to the right of academic freedom, the right to education and the freedom to conduct a business.

The European Commission decided on 13 July 2017 to send a reasoned opinion to Hungary as regards the compatibility of the country's Higher Education Law as amended on 4 April 2017 with EU law.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-17-1952_en.htm
Related Links
Politico, 13.07.17: Brussels launches infringement proceedings against Hungary http://www.politico.eu/article/brussels-launches-infringement-proceedings-against-hungary/
Reuters, 13.07.17: EU gives Hungary a month to revise education law or face court http://www.reuters.com/article/us-hungary-soros-eu-idUSKBN19Y1AJ
EurActiv, 13.07.17: European Commission steps up infringement procedures against Hungary https://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/european-commission-steps-up-infringement-procedures-against-hungary/
Deutsche Welle, 13.07.17: European Commission takes on Hungary over 'Soros laws' http://p.dw.com/p/2gTUf
Blog: Verfassungsblog, 13.10.17: Academic Freedom in an Illiberal Democracy: From Rule of Law through Rule by Law to Rule by Men in Hungary http://verfassungsblog.de/academic-freedom-in-an-illiberal-democracy-from-rule-of-law-through-rule-by-law-to-rule-by-men-in-hungary/
CEU: News, 13.10.17: CEU Complies with Lex CEU https://www.ceu.edu/article/2017-10-17/ceu-complies-lex-ceu
Visegrad Insight, 17.10.17: The impossible condition in Lex CEU http://visegradinsight.eu/the-impossible-condition-in-lex-ceu/

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