Contexts in which minority size is positively related to intergroup conflict are challenging for the
contact hypothesis. In such situations, if opportunities for contact increase prejudice, the contact
hypothesis may seem less credible, but if they reduce prejudice, the contact hypothesis may seem less
useful for improving intergroup relations. Based on path analyses run on a Romanian national
probability sample (N ¼ 733), the current research shows that the contact hypothesis can nevertheless
be relevant. Because the Hungarian minority is concentrated in Transylvania, a region with a long
history of conflict between Romanians and Hungarians, Transylvanians have more opportunities for
out-group contact than other Romanians. However, the analyses also detected significant differences
within Transylvania: Urban Transylvanians have more opportunities for contact with Hungarians
than rural Transylvanians and, consequently, are less negative towards them. The results, which
closely match recent historical events, suggest that a proper application of the contact hypothesis at a
societal level has to take into account that minority size is not necessarily equivalent to opportunities
for contact and that inter-regional comparisons in opportunities for contact can hide significant intraregional
differences.