The searush (Juncus maritimus Lam.) is a coastal halophyte of Eurasia, with a few isolated interior occurrences in Europe. In the Pannonian Basin, the species was found in the 1920s on the shores of Balaton and Fertő Lakes. In one of its distribution hotspots, the Balaton region, the rapid wetland deterioration calls for an up-to-date assessment of its existing populations. In this study, we document the coenological relations of J. maritimus stands based on recent relevés, assess the state of its popula­tions, and evaluate their vegetation changes between 2015 and 2024. We confirmed the occurrence of J. maritimus in eight localities. The majority of relevés with J. maritimus correspond with the Scorzonero parviflorae-Juncetum gerardii association, sporadically with the Astereto pannonici-Schoenetum nigri­canti. Our phytosociological survey repeated after a decade revealed a lower number of wetland and halophyt­ic specialists, together with J. maritimus, and an expansion of Cladium mariscus and Solidago gigantea. The fragmented salt marshes and fen meadows where searush occurs are more threatened than the species itself, thanks to its ability to establish on new sites. Nevertheless, the po­tential habitats are con­stantly diminishing by construction, massive tourism development and second­ary succession. Moreover, increasing droughts in recent years have even more accelerated the desicca­tion of wet habi­tats.