Viktor Orbán’s government introduced lex CEU in 2017, a piece of legislation that made it illegal for foreign colleges based in Hungary to operate if they didn’t also have a campus in their home country.

“We now await the final judgment of the Court itself, which is expected in the fall”

It also introduced requirements that those from countries outside the EEA had an international treaty with Hungary.

CEU is backed by billionaire George Soros – whose views on migrants and refugees in Europe have led to clashes with Orbán and his government – and formerly offers US-accredited degrees in Budapest without having a campus in the US.

It was the only university in the country impacted by the legislation.

“The Advocate General’s opinion affirms, in every detail, the case that CEU has been making since lex CEU was passed in April 2017. We now await the final judgment of the Court itself, which is expected in the fall,” said CEU in a statement.

Since January 2019, the university has been unable to offer its US-accredited courses in Hungary and has instead opened a campus in Vienna which will begin accepting students this autumn.

“The AG’s recommendation does not change the university’s plans. Until the government withdraws the legislation, we have no choice but to proceed with plans to transfer all US degree instruction to Vienna,” the university added.

“At the same time, CEU will never allow the government to force us to abandon our home in Budapest.

“We will continue to maintain a vigorous public presence, with an Institute of Advanced Study, an Open Society Archives, a Democracy Institute, our cognitive science labs and teaching in our Hungarian accredited programs.”

While the opinion of the AG is not legally binding, the final judgement expected later this year by the Court will be.

If it’s decision is in line with that of the AG, the government will be required to repeal lex CEU and allow the university to once again operate domestically.