Emeric succeeded his father, who died on 23 April 1196.
Béla III had bequeathed estates and money to Emeric's younger brother, Andrew, under the condition that Andrew should lead a crusade to the Holy Land.
Instead, Andrew turned against Emeric, demanding a separate duchy for himself in 1197.
Leopold VI, Duke of Austria, intervened on behalf of Andrew, and at the end of the year, their combined forces routed Emeric's troops at Mački, Slavonia.
In early 1198, Emeric was forced to make Andrew Duke of Croatia and Dalmatia as an appanage.

Andrew continued to conspire against Emeric, although Pope Innocent III continued urging Andrew to launch a crusade.
On 10 March 1199, Emeric forced Boleslaus, Bishop of Vác, who was a supporter of Andrew, to give him documents that proved the conspiracy against him.
In the summer of that year, Emeric defeated Andrew's army near Lake Balaton, which made Andrew flee to Austria.
A papal legate named Gregory arrived in Hungary to mediate a reconciliation between the two brothers.
According to the brothers' treaty, Emeric once again granted Croatia and Dalmatia to Andrew in the summer of 1200.
Emeric succeeded his father, who died on 23 April 1196. Béla III had bequeathed estates and money to Emeric's younger brother, Andrew, under the condition that Andrew should lead a crusade to the Holy Land. Instead, Andrew turned against Emeric, demanding a separate duchy for himself in 1197. Leopold VI, Duke of Austria, intervened on behalf of Andrew, and at the end of the year, their combined forces routed Emeric's troops at Mački, Slavonia. In early 1198, Emeric was forced to make Andrew Duke of Croatia and Dalmatia as an appanage. 
Andrew continued to conspire against Emeric, although Pope Innocent III continued urging Andrew to launch a crusade. On 10 March 1199, Emeric forced Boleslaus, Bishop of Vác, who was a supporter of Andrew, to give him documents that proved the conspiracy against him. In the summer of that year, Emeric defeated Andrew's army near Lake Balaton, which made Andrew flee to Austria. A papal legate named Gregory arrived in Hungary to mediate a reconciliation between the two brothers. According to the brothers' treaty, Emeric once again granted Croatia and Dalmatia to Andrew in the summer of 1200.
Emeric, King of Hungary