The Bratislava reference group meeting’s background material, prepared for the #ACCESS project session held on March 12, 2024, in Bratislava, was designed to facilitate discussions on strategic initiatives for cross-border integration. This comprehensive document analysed Bratislava’s central role in catalysing functional urban dynamics, underlining its pivotal position in the larger scheme of cross-border metropolitan collaboration. It explored strategies for enhancing cross-border integration and cooperation, pinpointing opportunities to improve Slovak-Hungarian relations. Moreover, the material illuminated the historical and present-day intricacies of Bratislava’s cross-border interactions, spotlighting the vital significance of legal accessibility.