Hungarian Expellees and Refugees relocated from Czechoslovakia to Hungary (1945)

The present study looks at Hungarian expellees and refugees from Czechoslovakia who migrated to Hungary in 1945, focusing specifically on the Hungarian government’s refugee policy and its implementation. The paper explores the methods used by Czechoslovak authorities to expel ethnic Hungarians as well as the political reasoning behind these actions, with attention given to the broader context of post-war forced migrations in Central Europe and Hungary’s dual role as both a “receiver” and “sender.” The analysis highlights the at present limited historiographical treatment of this topic, investigating certain administrative procedures applied during the spring and summer of 1945. Additionally, the inconsistent use of terms such as “refugee” and “expellee” is addressed, using a wide range of primary sources, despite their fragmentary nature. The study further outlines the lack of clear legal definitions and the limitations of the contemporary international legal framework. Overall, the paper contributes to a deeper understanding of post-war migration processes and their social and political consequences.