Austria is facing a challenging economic landscape marked by rising insolvencies, sectoral struggles, and shifting legislative priorities, according to Schoenherr Partner Markus Piuk, who highlights the resilience of the legal profession and the transformative potential of AI in reshaping it.

It's been a dynamic year for Croatia according to Kovacevic Prpic Simeunovic Partner Ana Novakovic Stipanicev, who highlights robust M&A activity, political stability fueling investor confidence, and key regulatory developments as reshaping sectors like energy, real estate, and public procurement.

As 2024 wraps up, Slovenia is thriving with growth in IT, healthcare, real estate, and renewables, according to Kavcic, Bracun & Partners Partner Aleksandra Mitic, who notes that despite external challenges, optimism is high and key projects and investments are setting the stage for an exciting year ahead.

Navigating the challenges of Bulgaria’s legal and regulatory environment requires a careful balance, particularly in light of ongoing political instability, according to Karushkov Legal Solutions Founder Mitko Karushkov who takes aim at systemic issues affecting legislative processes, judicial stability, and regulatory reliability, while highlighting the importance of proactive risk management and the potential for growth amidst uncertainty.

Radulescu & Musoi Partner Roxana Musoi reflects on a dynamic year for Romania’s M&A market, highlighting shifting entrepreneurial mindsets and opportunities driven by European funds.

Montenegro is seeing major changes with the election of a new Supreme Court President, the creation of a state-owned development bank, and tax reforms under the Europe Now 2 program, aligning the country with EU standards, according to Vujacic Law Office Partner Jelena Vujisic.

A tax reform, updated labor costs, and ESG compliance challenges are some of the main challenges facing businesses in Slovakia at the moment, according to CMS Partner Sona Hankova.

Serbia’s capital markets are maturing, with bond issuances expected in 2025 and renewed interest in alternative investment funds following reduced thresholds, according to ZSP Advokati Partner Nikola Sugaris.

Hungary’s economy and legal market have faced a tough year, shaped by political tensions, economic challenges, and global uncertainty, according to Pontes Budapest Partner Csaba Polgar, and from delayed investments to unpredictable regulations, the market has been navigating a challenging and uncertain landscape.

As Schonherr Head of Intellectual Property and Dispute Resolution practices in Bulgaria Ventsislav Tomov explains, Bulgaria’s delicate political situation and unreliable judicial system are creating a challenging environment for both local and international businesses. Amid these uncertainties, internal corporate investigations are on the rise, driven by cultural clashes between Western investors and Bulgarian management as well as growing concerns over compliance and governance.

Filip & Company Partner Catalin Alexandru dives into Romania's legal and business landscape, examining the impact of election-year dynamics on regulatory activity, the Constitutional Court's landmark decision on the windfall tax, the surge in public-private partnerships tied to infrastructure projects, and the general market trends.

Inlex Managing Partner Shkumbin Asllani reports on the country's ambitious goals for economic growth outlining Kosovo's recent legislative efforts to promote renewable energy, attract investments, and develop capital markets while remaining cautiously optimistic, noting that implementation could face challenges.

Vasil Kisil & Partners Partner Volodymyr Igonin reports ongoing reforms in Ukraine amid the challenges of war, highlighting ambitious governance reforms, particularly in the state-owned enterprise sector, and a drive to attract investment through privatization and risk-protection measures. Despite obstacles, Igonin notes that both local and foreign businesses are investing in Ukraine, reflecting a cautious optimism for the country's economic future.

Serbia appears to be entering a period of robust growth and transformation, driven in large part by Expo 2027 and targeted investment initiatives, according to MMD Advokati Partner Rastko Malisic. While the real estate and hospitality sectors are at the forefront of this boom, Malisic notes that other industries are grappling with challenges amid broader geopolitical uncertainties.

Slovenia’s real estate market is thriving, with robust foreign and domestic investments. Key legal and industrial shifts such as new work-life balance laws and reforms in the energy and healthcare sectors are reshaping its economic landscape, according to Krizanec & Partners Partner Dinar Rahmatullin.

North Macedonia’s new government is enacting a series of ambitious reforms focused on green energy, fair trade, and modern employment practices, including measures to stabilize electricity prices, incentivize energy efficiency, and regulate unfair trade practices, according to Bona Fide Law Firm Partner Aleksandar Kchev.

CMS Partner Evis Zaja reports rapid legal and economic developments in Albania, including upcoming amendments in the competition sector, new cybersecurity laws, and the country's increasing appeal to international businesses.

While economic indicators look solid for Bulgaria and there is considerable progress made in terms of its energy mix becoming more reliant on renewable energy, according to Kinstellar Partner Antonia Mavrova, the country faces ongoing challenges both in terms of keeping pace with decarbonization targets due to populist pushback and in terms of moving several projects past the finish line without a stable government.