Olivér Várhelyi

Olivér Várhelyi is a Hungarian lawyer and diplomat who is serving as European Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare since December 1, 2024, in the second von der Leyen Commission. His mandate focuses on advancing EU health policy, strengthening the resilience and competitiveness of the European health sector, and responding to societal expectations on animal welfare and food safety. Before taking on his current role, he was European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement (2019–2024). He previously held several senior positions in Hungary’s Permanent Representation to the EU, including Permanent Representative (2015–2019) and Deputy Permanent Representative (2011–2015). Earlier in his career, he served as Head of Unit for Industrial Property Rights in the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Internal Market and Services, and held legal and diplomatic roles in the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Justice. Born in Szeged in 1972, Várhelyi graduated in law at the University of Szeged and earned a Master of European Legal Studies from Aalborg University in Denmark.