The background material written for the reference group held in Putnok on the 29 January 2024 withing the framework of the #ACCESS project focuses on enhancing legal accessibility in the Slovak-Hungarian border region, specifically targeting the cross-border urban areas of Ózd, Putnok, and Tornaľa. The document details the formation of urban cross-border agglomerations and the role of shopping tourism as an integral part of life for locals, illustrating the region’s evolving economic and social landscape. By fostering cooperation between municipalities within these cross-border urban areas, the #ACCESS project seeks to uncover potential for further integration and development, thereby contributing to the overall growth and cohesion of the Slovak-Hungarian border region.