Hungarian-born financier George Soros complains about a government campaign involving billboards and leaflets alleging he plans to force EU countries to accept millions of migrants.
Hungary passes law that requires non-governmental organisations to register as foreign organisations if they receive a certain amount of funding from abroad, in a move seen by opposition supporters as targeting groups critical of the government.
European Parliament threatens to suspend Hungary from the EU in practical terms over its attempts to close down the liberal Central European University in Budapest.
Government claims victory after referendum overwhelmingly backs its rejection of EU plans to relocate migrants among member-states, despite low turnout of 40.4%.
New law allows arrest of migrants seeking to cross fence on Serbian border, after 200,000 mainly from the Middle East enter the country over the summer in hope of moving on to Germany and elsewhere.
EU denounces Hungarian plans for public consultation on immigration, saying proposed questionnaire risks demonising migrants.
Thousands protest at visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin on gas supplies to Hungary. EU member states had agreed not to hold bilateral meetings with Mr Putin after Russia's annexation of Crimea.
The government drops a proposed tax on internet use which had sparked big protests in Budapest.
Hungary's gas pipeline operator says it has suspended delivery of gas to neighbouring Ukraine indefinitely. The move coincides with Russian moves to boost supplies to Hungary.
Mr Orban criticises EU sanctions imposed on Russia over the Ukraine crisis.
Prime Minister Viktor Orban says that liberal democracy has had its day, and cites Russia, China and Turkey as successful "illiberal" states that he says are worthy of emulation.
Fidesz wins a second sweeping victory in parliamentary elections. International election monitors say that restrictive campaign rules and biased media coverage gave the governing party an unfair advantage.
The government approves a controversial 10bn euro (£8.3bn) deal with Russia over the financing of two new reactors at the Paks nuclear power plant.
The unveiling of plans for a memorial marking the seventieth anniversary of the German occupation in 1944 prompts criticism that the government is seeking to play down Hungary's wartime role as a Nazi ally. Following an international outcry, the plans are put on hold.
Supreme Court blocks a government attempt to have loans denominated in foreign currencies declared unlawful.
Parliament approves the latest constitutional changes, despite threat of legal action from the EU.
Government seeks to amend constitution banning political advertisements in independent media and restrictive guidelines on recognition of religious groups, but later waters down proposals under EU pressure.
Hungary emerges from recession, EU EU releases it from excessive deficit procedure mechanism.
Parliament approves fourth amendment to 2012 constitution, curbing power of constitutional court.
Constitutional court strikes down electoral law amendment approved by parliament in November, saying it restricts voter rights.
Jobbik MP Marton Gyongyosi sparks outrage by calling for a list of officials of Jewish origin to be compiled, saying that they could pose a "national security risk".
Government rejects conditions attached by the IMF to a new 15bn-euro (£12bn) loan as unacceptable. PM Viktor Orban says the government will present an "alternative negotiation proposal".
Veteran Fidesz politician Janos Ader elected president by parliament. His predecessor and fellow Fidesz supporter Pal Schmitt resigned in April after it was revealed that he had plagiarised the works of others in his doctoral thesis.
Hungary makes small changes to the Central Bank law, and the European Commission agrees to resume talks with the IMF on a massive bailout.
EU suspends aid payments to Hungary because of budget deficit.
Hungarian state-owned airline Malev goes bankrupt.
Top rate of VAT is increased from 25% to 27% - the highest rate in the EU - as part of a series of austerity measures aimed at curbing the budget deficit.
Tens of thousands of people take part in protests in Budapest as controversial new constitution comes into force.
Credit ratings agency Fitch downgrades Hungary's credit rating to junk status. Two other main ratings agencies already reduced Hungary's rating to junk levels within the previous six weeks.
Parliament approves controversial new election law that halves the number of MPs and redraws constituency boundaries. Critics object it tilts the system in favour of the governing Fidesz party.
Parliament passes controversial law on central bank reform that gives the government greater control over monetary policy. EU and IMF officials cut short aid talks.
Parliament approves a new constitution that opponents say threatens democracy by removing checks and balances. The EU expresses concern over the law and asks for it to be withdrawn.
Government agrees to amend media law. European Commission says that the changes meet its concerns over media freedom.
A state of emergency is declared after a torrent of toxic red sludge escapes from a reservoir of chemical waste, killing seven people and injuring 150. Rivers
Parliament passes law allowing ethnic Hungarians living abroad to apply for Hungarian citizenship. Slovakia threatens to strip anyone who applies for dual nationality of their citizenship.
Conservative opposition party Fidesz wins landslide victory in parliamentary election, gaining two-thirds majority. Jobbik enters parliament for first time, winning 47 seats.
Far-right Jobbik party wins three seats in European Parliament elections, gaining almost 15% of the vote.
Economy Minister Gordon Bajnai takes over as PM; he announces a programme of public spending cuts, tax rises and public wage freezes.
Hungary and Russia sign deal to build part of the South Stream pipeline across Hungarian territory, although pipeline was eventually halted in 2015. Hungary also agrees to jointly build underground gas storage facility in Hungary, a move which will turn the country into a major hub for Russian gas supplies.
Hungary is badly hit by the global financial crisis. International Monetary Fund, EU and World Bank grant rescue package worth 20bn euros (£17bn).
Mr Gyurcsany reshuffles cabinet after Alliance of Free Democrats quits coalition.
Government defeated in opposition-sponsored referendum calling for abolition of new fees for health care and higher education.
Violence erupts as thousands rally in Budapest demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Gyurcsany, after he admitted his government had lied during the election campaign.
General election returns Socialist-led coalition under Ferenc Gyurcsany to power.
Parliament chooses opposition-backed Laszlo Solyom as president after Socialists' candidate is blocked by their Free Democrat coalition partners.
Former sports minister Ferenc Gyurcsany becomes prime minister following resignation of Peter Medgyessy in row with coalition partner over reshuffle.
Hungary is one of 10 new states to join the EU.
Referendum overwhelmingly approves Hungary's membership of an enlarged EU. However, turnout is only 46%.
Peter Medgyessy forms new centre-left coalition government in which the Socialist Party partners the liberal Free Democrats.
Parliament backs controversial Status Law entitling Hungarians living in Romania, Slovakia, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia to a special identity document allowing them to work, study and claim health care in Hungary temporarily.
Centre-right coalition under Fidesz leader Viktor Orban elected.
Referendum endorses joining Nato, which happens in 1999. The European Union decides to open membership talks with Hungary, which begin in 1998.
Former Communists and liberals form coalition following elections. Gyula Horn, the leader of the reform Communists, pledges to pursue free-market policies.
Soviet forces withdraw from Hungary. The Warsaw Pact is dissolved.
A centre-right coalition wins elections. Hungary withdraws from any participation in Warsaw Pact military exercises.
Border with Austria is opened, and thousands of East Germans escape to the West. Communist state in Hungary is dismantled and a transition to a multi-party democracy starts.
Kadar is replaced by Karoly Grosz. Opposition groups form the Hungarian Democratic Forum.
New Economic Mechanism brings elements of the market to communist state management.
Kadar gradually introduces limited liberalising reforms. Political prisoners and church leaders are freed, farmers and industrial workers given increased rights.
Uprising against Soviet domination suppressed by the Soviet Army. Janos Kadar becomes head of government.
Communists consolidate power under Soviet occupation, with new constitution, nationalisation of industry, collectivised agriculture and mass terror.
Soviet forces drive the Germans out of Hungary by early April. New coalition government introduces land reform bill, redistributing land from large estate owners to peasants.
Hungarian Nazis seize power after Horthy asks advancing Soviet troops for an armistice. Jews and gypsies are deported to death camps
Germany invades Soviet Union. Hungary allies itself with Germany, and loses a large part of its army on the Eastern Front.
With the encouragement of Nazi Germany, Hungary regains northern Transylvania from Romania.
Hungary joins Anti-Comintern Pact of Germany, Japan and Italy, and withdraws from League of Nations.
After Munich Agreement cedes part of Czechoslovakia to Germany, Hungary regains some of the territory it lost in 1920.
Admiral Horthy's rule is characterised by bitter resentment at loss of Hungarian territories, becomes progressively more reactionary and more closely allied with Nazi Germany.
Under Treaty of Trianon, Entente powers award more than two-thirds of Hungarian territory to Czechoslovakia, Romania and Yugoslavia. The re-defining of Hungary's borders leaves a third of native Hungarian speakers living outside the country.
The National Assembly re-establishes the Kingdom of Hungary, but as the Entente powers had refused to allow the return of a Habsburg king, Admiral Horthy is made regent.
Communists take over power under Bela Kun. Kun wages war on Czechoslovakia and Romania. Romanian forces occupy Budapest and hand power to Admiral Miklos Horthy.
Austro-Hungarian Empire is broken up at the end of World War I. Hungarian republic is proclaimed following a revolution.
Hungary becomes equal partner in Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Uprising against Habsburg rule under Lajos Kossuth suppressed by military force.
Austrian Habsburgs under Leopold I expel Turks.
Ottoman Turks defeat forces of Hungarian king at Battle of Mohacs, establishing control over most of the country.
Forces led by Hungarian nobleman Janos Hunyadi defeat Ottoman army at Siege of Belgrade.
Reign of Louis the Great, who annexes Dalmatia and founds Hungary's first university at Pecs.
Mongol invasion devastates large parts of Hungary.
Stephen I, a descendant of Arpad, recognized by Pope as first Christian king of Hungary, expands Hungarian control over Carpathian basin.
Magyars under Prince Arpad settle Danube plain