The Croatian Lobbying Act (Official Gazette 36/2024, the “Act”) entered into force on 1 October 2024, marking Croatia’s first comprehensive regulation of lobbying activities. The Act establishes significant new rules for lobbyists and companies alike, requiring compliance when interacting with public officials to advocate for business or organisational interests. This regulatory development represents a transformative shift in how entities engage with policymakers and will necessitate careful attention to adherence with these newly established standards.

Schoenherr and Madirazza & Partners have advised RP Global on Mirova's agreement to invest up to EUR 480 million in RP Global Energy. Clifford Chance reportedly advised RP Global as well. White & Case's Paris office reportedly advised Mirova. Spain-based Uria Menendez, Portugal-based Abreu Advogados, France-based LPA-CGR Avocats, Germany-based Chatham Partners, and the Italian office of DWF reportedly advised RP Global on the matter as well. 

While legal professionals may not possess the solution for upcoming winter to the widely discussed problem of frozen Tesla door handles or expertise in selecting personalized lock sounds for electric vehicles (EVs), we do offer valuable advice for landlords aiming to integrate their current property infrastructure with the growing prevalence of EV charging stations.

Tus & Grzic has advised mandatory pension funds management company PBZ Croatia Osiguranje on its participation in a EUR 28 million mandatory takeover bid for Cakovecki Mlinovi with Mlin i Pekare and Allianz ZB participating as other bidders. Kovacevic Prpic Simeunovic advised Mlin i Pekare and its affiliate Plodinec. Gugic Kovacic Krivic advised Allianz ZB.

Stankovic & Partners has advised SuperPadel Alliance on a partnership agreement with the Croatian Padel Federation and the Diagonal Padel Pro Academy in Madrid. 

Ilej & Partners, in cooperation with Karanovic & Partners, has advised TeraPlast Group on its acquisition of 70% of Optiplast from Danijel Drcic. Gospic Plazina Stojs reportedly advised the seller.

Earlier in 2024, DLA Piper published its Medical Devices Advertising: CEE Comparison Guide, which reviews advertising regulations for medical devices in Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Life sciences team members who worked on the guide spoke with CEE Legal Matters about some of the regulatory differences across CEE and the practical implications for businesses.

Croatia is undergoing significant legal changes, particularly with the introduction of a real estate tax aimed at addressing housing shortages and regulating property use as well as a new lobbying law, according to Ilej & Partners in cooperation with Karanovic & Partners Senior Partner Goran Ilej.

Effective from 1 January 2025, Croatia will introduce a new property tax law. This new law will replace the current vacation home tax and apply to all residential properties, with certain exemptions. Local governments will institute the new law and set tax rates within a specified range by taking into account property characteristics and other factors.

In The Debrief, our Practice Leaders across CEE share updates on recent and upcoming legislation, consider the impact of recent court decisions, showcase landmark projects, and keep our readers apprised of the latest developments impacting their respective practice areas.

Former Savoric & Partners Senior Associate Sandra Tomaskovic has joined the Croatian office of Nlaw as Partner. As a result of the move, the Croatian office was renamed to Hren-Tomaskovic.

Wolf Theiss, working with Jeantet, has advised Ancala on the acquisition of Elektrana Grubisno Polje from Akuo Energy. Divjak, Topic, Bahtijarevic & Krka reportedly advised Akuo Energy.

Croatia seems to be brink of significant legislative changes that could reshape its real estate and financial landscapes, according to Peterka & Partners Zagreb Senior Associate Anja Haramija, who reports on a new real estate tax targeting property owners and regulations aimed at protecting senior citizens.

Cytowski & Partners has advised SplxAI on USD 2 million preseed financing from Inovo.vc, South Central Ventures, and Runtime Ventures.

Contributed by Savoric & Partners.

Savoric & Partners has advised Kompare on its acquisition of the Progreso Group.

Marohnic, Tomek & Gjoic Partner Tena Tomek talks about the evolution of the firm’s energy practice and their role as legal advisors in energy projects in Croatia over the last 10 years.

CMS has advised TurboVolt on its sale to Eleport. Ellex advised Eleport and, reportedly, Schoenherr advised Eleport on Austrian, Croatian, and Slovenian law.