This chapter summarizes Hungary’s experience with the European Union’s pre-accession funds. Hungary was among the first countries to have received assistance, first through the PHARE program, and later—once it became clear that additional support was needed—through the SAPARD and ISPA financial instruments. Under the PHARE program, the country received approximately EUR 1.4 billion between 1990 and 2003, which was used for private sector and infrastructure development, institutional reform, and human resources development. PHARE strengthened agriculture and rural development, finance and customs, and health and social affairs, although some bottlenecks in both financial and operational processes remained. SAPARD funds were aimed at increasing the competitiveness of the agricultural sector in Hungary. The assistance amounted to EUR 38 million annually between 2000 and 2006, and were effectively used with regards to direct farm investments and rural infrastructure, even though implementation lagged in more complicated cases. For the same time period, Hungary received around EUR 80 million annually from ISPA to boost infrastructural investments concentrated in areas of transportation and the environment. The three funds played a relevant role in the accession process, and put the country on a learning path, consequently contributing to the country’s development and preparedness for the eventual membership in 2004.