POLITICO: Inside Brussels - claims of Hungarian spy activity in EU structures

A group of Hungarian intelligence officers operated within Hungary’s Permanent Representation to the European Union in Brussels between 2013 and 2016, attempting to collect information from officials in EU institutions, according to a European Commission document seen by POLITICO.

The investigation, initiated by EU Commissioner for Anti-Fraud Piotr Serafin, concluded that Hungary’s intelligence services deployed several officers to its EU mission during that period. “The activities of those intelligence officers in Brussels were initially discreet but gradually became much more overt from 2015 onwards,” the document states.

According to the European Commission, the officers used diplomatic status to gather information of interest to the Hungarian government, including attempts to obtain data from European Commission staff of Hungarian origin.

The investigation did not establish responsibility for any individuals beyond the intelligence officers themselves. The Commission also said it found no serious security breaches linked to the case.

In 2015, Hungary’s EU mission was headed by Olíver Várhelyi, who is currently a European Commissioner for Health. Following reports of the alleged espionage network, he said he was not aware of such activities.

In October 2025, EUobserver reported on an internal European Commission investigation following media publications alleging Hungarian intelligence operations within EU institutions, initiated after reporting by the Hungarian outlet Direkt36.

According to the report, one European Commission employee regularly met with a Hungarian diplomat who was allegedly an intelligence officer. In 2017, he and “the entire Hungarian intelligence network” were exposed.

The main targets of the intelligence services were Hungarian citizens working within European institutions. Recruitment methods included financial incentives, career opportunities, and appeals to patriotism, although the number of individuals allegedly recruited has not been disclosed.

The report noted that diplomatic cover is commonly used by intelligence operatives, as diplomatic immunity can provide protection if they are caught engaging in espionage activities.

By Jeyhun Aghazada