Hungary Submits Bill to Enact Nuclear Pact With United States
Hungary's government has introduced legislation asking parliament to make legally binding a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement concluded with the United States earlier this year. The civilian nuclear agreement was signed in February 2026, during Viktor Orbán’s tenure, before his party lost the April election.
The legislative move indicates that under Prime Minister Peter Magyar, who defeated Orban in a national election earlier this year, Budapest will honor the bilateral nuclear pact despite Washington having openly endorsed his political rival before the April vote. Parliament is widely anticipated to approve the statutory measure because Magyar's governing coalition commands a two-thirds majority in the assembly.
GE Vernova describes the BWRX-300 as a small modular reactor design with electrical output of approximately 300 megawatts.
Separately, Foreign Minister Anita Orbán said in September that Hungary was seeking to extend a waiver due to expire on November 21; this waiver should not be confused with ratification of the civilian nuclear pact.
Bilateral Nuclear Framework and Technology Selection
The draft enactment was submitted as Hungarian Foreign Minister Anita Orban, who bears no familial relation to the former prime minister, arrived in Washington on Thursday, October 29, 2026. The foreign minister met with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio to sign memorandums of understanding expanding cooperation across energy development and law enforcement coordination.
Under provisions set out in the bill, the agreement on civilian nuclear energy signed during Rubio's visit on February 16 will become legally enforceable. The pact centers on civilian nuclear infrastructure, specifically small modular reactors, and encourages Hungarian authorities to select American nuclear technology and corporate vendors as primary partners for prospective energy installations.
Rubio had previously traveled to Budapest two months prior to the April national election, providing an endorsement for Viktor Orban, who subsequently departed office after 16 years in power. Bilateral engagement has nonetheless continued under the newly formed government as energy transition priorities align.
Shifting Away From Russian Reactor Dependencies
The legislative ratification advances Hungary's integration of Western nuclear systems following steps taken last year to import small modular reactor technology by partnering with Poland's Synthos Green Energy, the regional rights holder for GE Vernova Hitachi technology in Central Europe.
A July 30 letter of intent between Hungary’s Hunatom and Poland’s Synthos Green Energy envisages possible deployment of as many as ten BWRX-300 reactors, rather than a final construction order.
The World Nuclear Association reports U.S. support for an early-stage engineering and design study of American small-reactor technology in Hungary.
In November 2025, Hungarian authorities concluded an agreement to acquire American nuclear fuel and United States storage technology for spent fuel rods at its existing Russian-constructed nuclear station. Furthermore, Budapest is reviewing whether to replace Russian state corporation Rosatom as principal general contractor for the planned expansion of the Paks nuclear facility, with Magyar's administration scheduled to reach a formal decision regarding alternative commercial suppliers by early 2027.
The World Nuclear Association notes that Euratom Supply Agency approval is required for relevant nuclear-fuel contracts; approval itself cannot guarantee uninterrupted fuel supplies.