The United Kingdom is a key ally of Hungary. We regret the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union, however we do respect the democratic decision taken by the British people at the Brexit referendum on 23 June 2016. Throughout the Brexit negotiations, Hungary has always advocated the conclusion of a fair Brexit deal between the EU and the UK, which can effectively guarantee that our citizens will not suffer any impairment of their acquired rights as a consequence of the UK’s departure from the European Union. Hungary welcomes therefore that the UK’s departure from the EU on 31 January 2020 took place in an orderly manner on the basis of the Withdrawal Agreement concluded and ratified by both the EU and the UK.
The Government of Hungary truly values the thousands of UK nationals who have chosen to settle down and live in Hungary. Their contribution to Hungary’s economic, social and cultural prosperity is well known. It is our Government’s priority to encourage UK citizens to continue with their lives in Hungary after the UK’s departure from the EU. For that reason the Parliament of Hungary has passed a law (Act LXXXVII of 2019) which extends the deadline for UK nationals living in Hungary before Brexit day to register their stay in Hungary to the Hungarian authorities till 31 December 2020. This is to ensure that their acquired rights will be protected in Hungary.
Following the UK’s departure, Hungary will support the conclusion of a thorough and wide-ranging future partnership agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom in the areas of trade, economy, transport, common security and defence policy. Such an ambitious cooperation would preserve Europe’s economic competitiveness as well as its internal security.
The United Kingdom is Hungary’s 11th most important trade partner, with bilateral trade flow of 5,7 billion euros in 2018 and 825 British companies providing jobs to some 54 thousand people in Hungary (the UK is the 4th biggest employer in Hungary). It is our intention to maintain the existing strong economic ties between our countries and work together with the UK Government to explore the possibilities of further strengthening our partnership in the field of bilateral trade and investments.
As a token of strengthening our bilateral relations, the Government of Hungary has recently opened a General Consulate in Manchester and a Consulate in Edinburgh. The new foreign representations will primarily serve to protect the rights and interests of Hungarian citizens living and working in, and visiting the United Kingdom. Furthermore, Hungary and the United Kingdom are currently working on a bilateral strategy to achieve a stronger, broader, deeper bilateral relationship building on shared values and shared objectives, delivering for both Hungary and the UK. The bilateral strategy will centre on three broad themes: trade, security and foreign policy, and education and society.