Legislation Update: Albania
Albania Introduces New Guidance on Law Enforcement Data Processing
In July 2025, the Albanian Data Protection Commissioner adopted Guidance No. 05/2025 on the Processing of Personal Data by Competent Authorities (“Guidance”), marking an important step toward operationalising Law No. 124/2024, Albania’s GDPR-aligned data protection law. This guidance introduces essential obligations for authorities tasked with maintaining public order and national security, such as the police, […]
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Legislation Update: Albania
Albania Adopts New Trademark Law Aligned with EU and International Standards
On July 3, 2025, the Albanian Parliament adopted Law No. 52/2025 “On Trademarks”, repealing the trademark-specific provisions of the existing Law No. 9947, dated July 7, 2008, “On Industrial Property”, as amended (the “Law”). While the previous law governed a broad range of industrial property rights, including patents, utility models, trademarks, industrial designs, geographical indications, and business […]
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New Serbian Regulation on Palm Oil Products: A Shift in Labelling and In-Store Presentation
As of 1 August 2025, the newly adopted Regulation on Additional Requirements for the Placement on the Market of Products Containing Palm Oil, Palm Fat, or Other Vegetable Oils and Fats (the “Regulation”) will come into effect in Serbia, marking a significant development in the regulatory framework at the intersection of food law and consumer […]
Read more Proposed changes to Denmark’s Copyright Law
Denmark’s Proposed Copyright Law Amendments to Deal with Deepfake Misuse — Where Is Serbia?
Europe has already begun regulating deepfakes. The EU’s AI Act emphasises transparency, risk management and conformity assessments for high-risk AI, but does not create new individual rights against deepfake misuse. It requires providers of systems that generate or manipulate deepfake media to embed machine-readable markings (e.g. watermarks or metadata) flagging content as AI-created, and obliges […]
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Albania Adopts Amendments to the Law on Foreigners
This summer, the Albanian National Assembly adopted a significant package of amendments to the Law on Foreigners, signalling a clear shift toward aligning national migration rules with key EU directives. While the legal changes are substantial, their purpose is broader: to simplify how Albania governs entry, residence, and work rights for foreign nationals, especially those […]
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Aligning with the EU: Albania’s Upcoming Foreign Investment Screening Procedure
The Albanian Parliament has enacted Law No. 56, dated 11.07.2025, amending Law No. 7764/1993 “On Foreign Investments”, to introduce a formal review process for incoming foreign direct investments (“FDI”) in sectors deemed critical to national security and public order. Under the new amendment to Article 10, any foreign investment “related to or affecting critical public infrastructure, critical technologies, […]
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Serbia Adopts Amendments to the Media Legislation
In June 2025, the National Assembly of Serbia adopted amendments to three laws: the Law on Electronic Media, the Law on Public Media Services, and the Law on Public Information and Media, in a step towards aligning with EU standards and improving the media landscape. Law on Public Media Services The most significant novelty […]
Read more Anti-Piracy SEE Landscape Update
EUR 5 Million in Settlements: The Evolution of Anti-Piracy in Southeast Europe
The fight against software piracy has entered its second phase, marking a significant shift from the earlier era of physical piracy to the current challenges of combating digital piracy. Phase One: The Era of Physical Piracy In the early days, software piracy involved physical media like CDs and DVDs. These discs, often accompanied by […]
Read more Legal Update: Albania
Albania’s Data Protection Framework Expands with New DPO Registry
In a significant development for the personal data protection landscape in Albania, the Council of Ministers has adopted Decision No. 347, dated 19 June 2025, establishing a new state database titled “Electronic Registry of Data Protection Officers” (DPO Registry). This marks a major milestone in the country’s efforts to align its data governance infrastructure with […]
Read more North Macedonia: News
Multifunctional Science and Technology Park — A Strategic Step Toward Innovation and Technology
On 15 July 2025, the Government of North Macedonia adopted an information to establish a Multifunctional Science and Technology Park (“Park”). The information sets the goal of fostering sustainable economic growth through the promotion of knowledge, innovation, and high-value technologies competitive in both domestic and international markets. Planned to be located within the technical campus […]
Read more M&A News: Slovenia
Advance Capital Partners Acquires Majority Stake in Slovenian Mass
Advance Capital Partners has reached an agreement to acquire a 60% equity stake in Mass, a leading specialised footwear retailer in the Adriatic region. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions, with completion expected in the autumn. Our colleagues from Ketler & Partners, member of Karanovic, advised the sell-side on this […]
Read more Competition News
Competition Law Breaches Affecting Labour Markets: Major EUR 329 Million Fine for Delivery Hero and Glovo
On 2 June 2025, the European Commission (“EC”) imposed a substantial EUR 329 million fine on Delivery Hero and Glovo for their involvement in a cartel in the online food delivery sector. This landmark decision marks the first cartel decision concerning the labour market, as well asthe first time the EC has sanctioned anticompetitive conduct […]
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Karanović & Partners at WSG Berlin Group Annual Meeting
Our Partner Andrej Jelenković took part in the annual meeting of the World Services Group (WSG) Litigation Practitioners’ Group – Berlin Group, held on 19 and 20 June in Rome. The event was hosted by Gianni & Origoni.. It provided a valuable opportunity for practitioners from leading firms across the EU and the UK to exchange insights and experiences. Discussions focused on […]
Read more Legislation Update: Serbia
New Rules on Ultimate Beneficial Owner Registration in Serbia
Effective 1 October 2025, amendments to the Law on the Centralised Records of Beneficial Owners (UBO) in Serbia will introduce important new obligations for a broader range of entities. What’s changing? Expanded scope of reporting entities UBO registration requirements will now apply not only to companies and other legal entities, but also to trusts and […]
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NBS Adopts New MREL Rules
The National Bank of Serbia (“NBS”) adopted the new Decision on the Minimum Requirement for Capital and Eligible Liabilities of a Bank (“New MREL Decision”), as part of a package of new or amended bylaws following the latest amendments to the Law on Banks. The New MREL Decision shall replace the existing decision of the […]
Read more Regional Art Competition
What Endures Began as Imagination
As part of its 30th anniversary celebration, Karanović & Partners legal practice is announcing a competition for young artists to participate in an exhibition titled “What Endures Began as Imagination.“ In a world full of challenges and distractions, where imagination is too often dismissed as a decorative layer on reality—when in truth it lies at […]
Read more Belgrade M&A Event
Inside the 2025 Southeast Europe M&A Forum: Telecom and Media Insights
Our Senior Partner Miloš Jakovljević had the pleasure of moderating the panel “TMT M&A in Southeast Europe: Navigating Opportunities and Challenges”, at the Southeast Europe Private Equity and M&A Forum, held in Belgrade on 10 June 2025. The conversation brought together top-tier voices from across the regional and telecom space: Ersida Docaj, Co-Head of TMT Investment, EBRD, Kasper Taczek, […]
Read more Intellectual Property Update
EU Report Highlights Ongoing IP Enforcement Issues in the Western Balkans
The European Commission has published its latest Report on the Protection and Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights in Third Countries (SWD(2025)131), along with the updated Counterfeit and Piracy Watch List (SWD(2025)132). No country from the region has been designated as a “priority country” for systemic intellectual property issues, which marks an improvement compared to the […]
Read more Legislation Update: Albania
Albania Extends Stay for Ukrainian Nationals to Four Years
In response to the ongoing war in Ukraine, Albania has extended the period that Ukrainian nationals and their family members can stay in the country without a residence permit. On 21 May 2025, the Council of Ministers approved a new decision allowing them to stay for up to four years. This measure updates the original […]
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Albania Adopts New Instruction on the Processing of Health and Genetic Data
As part of the broader effort to harmonise national legislation with the EU General Data Protection Regulation, the Albanian Data Protection Commissioner issued Instruction No. 2, dated 30 April 2025 (Instruction No. 2), on the protection of personal data in the health sector. This Instruction repeals the previous 2020 framework and establishes a comprehensive set […]
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