The global minimum tax initiative aims to ensure that large multinational corporations operating across multiple jurisdictions pay a corporate tax rate of at least 15%.

In an eagerly awaited development, Romania has taken a step forward in fostering more clarity on essential concepts relevant for foreign direct investment (FDI) screening, by publishing draft guidelines (the "Guidelines"), anticipated to enter into force in March 2025. While the Guidelines may not bring major surprises for practitioners who have been working in the FDI trenches since the regime came into force in April 2022, the formal codification of the authority's practice is a welcome step toward greater transparency and predictability.

Digital transformation has become a priority for all major companies. This is being driven only further by the spread of artificial intelligence's commercial use cases and ever-tightening data protection and cybersecurity regulations. However, procuring enterprise software (concerning both the development of custom-made software and "off-the-shelf" software developed for mass use) may give rise to various legal issues. Promptly identifying and addressing these issues can help prevent considerable legal and operational expenses, as well as other inconveniences.

Effective from 2 February 2025, the provisions of Chapter 1 and 2 of the EU Regulation no. 2024/1689 laying down harmonised rules on artificial intelligence (“EU AI Act”) regarding AI literacy and the ban on use of AI systems that pose unacceptable risks have entered into force.

Our team achieved significant success defending a client before the Supreme Court of Cassation (SCC) in an employment dispute related to the amount of remuneration in the event of reduced working hours established by the employer in the event of a declared state of emergency or emergency epidemic situation (Article 138a, para. 2 of the Labour Code).

On 6 February 2025, the President of Ukraine signed Law No. 4213-IX dated 14 January 2025 "On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine in the Field of Energy and in the Field of Heat Supply to Clarify Provisions Related to the Martial Law in Ukraine" (the Law).

The world of data centres is evolving at an unprecedented pace, driven by the ever-increasing demand for AI solutions. At the same time, sustainability challenges, energy efficiency and security of supply are becoming increasingly in focus due to the significant energy demands of data centres. The growth potential of the sector remains attractive, with 70% of investors expecting further growth over the next two years, according to a recent international report* by DLA Piper.

In 2022, the Parliament of Ukraine passed legislation introducing an alternative method for recording and holding shares in limited liability companies (LLCs) and additional liability companies (ALCs). This development allows LLC and ALC shareholders (participants) to transfer recording of their shares from the State Register of Legal Entities, Private Entrepreneurs and Civic Associations (“State Register“) to the PJSC “National Depository of Ukraine” acting as the Central Securities Depository (“CSD“). This shift promises enhanced transparency, security and efficiency in share ownership, marking a new chapter for businesses and investors alike.

The development of the defense industry is an urgent priority for the Polish government. Undoubtedly, it is in Poland’s interest to have a solid industrial base for the defense sector, not only to enhance national security but also as a lever for the further transformation of the entire economy.

If your company sells products that contain, have been fed with or have been made using cattle, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, rubber, soya or wood, then your company should most likely start preparing for compliance with the EU Deforestation Regulation[1]. The same applies if others in your company's supply chain produce or sell these commodities or related products.

Last summer, the deposit return system (DRS) was introduced, under which 0.1-3 litres of drink products with a mandatory redemption fee can be bought in shops at a price increased by the redemption fee.

As part of the EU Gas and Hydrogen Package, Directive (EU) 2024/1788 of 13 June 2024 ("Internal Gas Market Directive; IGMD") makes provisions for the first time on the phase-out of gas by network operators through the decommissioning of gas networks. Article 57 IGMD stipulates that gas distribution system operators ("DSO") must develop network decommissioning plans ("NDP") if a reduction in natural gas demand is foreseeable. The competent national authorities assess whether the NDP for the distribution network meets the principles set out in the IGMD.

In 2024, EU data protection authorities imposed a total of EUR 1.2 billion in fines. This brings the total value of fines to EUR 5.88 billion since the GDPR became applicable, DLA Piper's latest report reveals.* The technology sector has been hit the hardest, with data protection focusing on managerial responsibility and privacy issues in AI tools.

Last year, a new regulation on artificial intelligence (“AI Act”) was published in the Official Journal of the European Union. This new AI Act lays down legal framework for the development, placing on the market, putting into service and use of artificial intelligence systems (“AI systems”) in the EU, in order to, inter alia, promote the uptake of human centric and trustworthy artificial intelligence, protect against harmful effects of AI systems and to support innovation.

Recently, more and more European environmental regulations have been issued, that are directly binding and applicable, with the aim of achieving a circular economy and climate neutrality within a specified period.

1 January 2025 marked the entry into force of the obligation for Romanian established taxpayers that carry out taxable operations in Romania to report in the Romanian invoicing System the invoices issued in B2C transactions.

The Hungarian Government has made a significant amendment just weeks into 2025 by increasing the VAT exemption threshold for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Despite the autumn tax package for 2025 remaining silent on this matter, the new limit has been set at HUF 18 million, up from the longstanding HUF 12 million. This increase applies retroactively from 1 January 2025. Taxpayers have until the end of February to opt in for the exemption.

A new regulation, in force from January 28, 2025 establishes additional obligations and reporting requirements on Romanian companies with 50 or more employees in respect of hiring disabled people.