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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Legislation Update: Albania
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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Balkan Arbitration Trends Discussed at LIDW 2025 Panel
On June 4 2025, during London International Disputes Week (LIDW), a panel titled “Recent Arbitration Trends in the Balkans” brought together leading legal experts to explore key developments around dispute resolution in the Balkan region. Our Partner Milica Savić participated as a speaker, joining Marleen Krueger (WilmerHale), Ana Stanič (E&A Law), Marija Šćekić (Squire Patton […]
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Zlatibor Hosts 2025 Legal and Compliance Conference for Banking Sector Professionals
The annual conference of Legal and Compliance Functions in Banks has once again proven to be the leading forum for exchanging regulatory updates and best practices among professionals in the legal, compliance and financial sectors in Serbia. Organised by the Association of Serbian Banks and held from 28 to 30 May in Zlatibor, this year’s […]
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Celebrating 30 Years: A Journey of Integrity, Dedication, and Vision
This year, we are proud to celebrate a remarkable milestone: Karanović & Partners marks its 30th anniversary. Over three decades, we established cooperation with local lawyers across Southeast Europe, having more than 150 attorneys at law cooperating across Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Albania, all working together to provide legal […]
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North Macedonia: Government Approves Key Draft Laws for Digital Future
The Government of North Macedonia has approved two key draft laws aimed at advancing the country’s digital transformation: a new Law on Electronic Communications (“EC Law”) and the Law on Safety of Networks and Information Systems (“Cybersecurity Law”). The latter is North Macedonia’s first-ever law on cybersecurity. These draft laws are part of the national […]
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Slovenia Hosts Tax Advisors Congress: Key Insights on UAE Residency and Global Tax Trends
Tax Advisory Chambers of the Republic of Slovenia hosted the 54th Tax Education Days and the 15th Congress of Tax Advisors, which brought together experts from the tax and accounting profession in Laško, Slovenia, on 21 and 22 May. The event covered a wide range of topics, including the potential benefits of artificial intelligence for accountants […]
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North Macedonia Adopts New Law to Regulate Seasonal and Occasional Employment
In a progressive move towards formalising seasonal and occasional work, the Assembly of North Macedonia has adopted a groundbreaking law to regulate temporary employment across key sectors. This legislative development aims to streamline the hiring process for temporary workers while ensuring they receive essential social security benefits. The newly introduced law stipulates a framework detailing […]
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Finticipate 2025: Tokenisation and Regulatory Challenges
Our Partner Ivan Nonković participated in Finticipate 2025, a leading regional conference on digital finance and capital markets, held in Belgrade on 23 May. He spoke in Panel #3, titled “The Future is Tokenised? Harnessing the Power of Regional Capital Markets Development and Investor Opportunities”. The panel, moderated by Milica Andrić, CEO of AVR Solar, […]
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Serbia Joins the SEPA
On 22 May 2025, Serbia officially joined the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), which marks an important milestone for its financial sector and the EU integration process. The process should result in the possibility for Serbian businesses and citizens to make and receive EUR payments with the countries within the SEPA region by using SEPA […]
Read more Legal Update: Albania
Bank of Albania Tightens Marketing Rules for Banks and Financial Institutions
The Bank of Albania has introduced a new regulatory framework on marketing and advertising by financial institutions, significantly enhancing consumer protection and transparency in the financial sector. The changes, enacted through Decision No. 11, dated 5 February 2025, amend the Regulation “On Transparency for Banking and Financial Products and Services” and enter into force on […]
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Albania Aligns with GDPR: New Decision on Adequate Countries for Data Transfers
As part of the gradual implementation of sublegal acts under Law No. 124/2024 “On the Protection of Personal Data”, which fully aligns with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Albanian Data Protection Commissioner has issued Decision no. 1, titled “On the determination of countries that ensure an adequate level of personal data protection” […]
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North Macedonia and the United Kingdom to sign a Strategic Partnership Agreement in the Field of Infrastructure
During a one-day summit in Tirana, the Republic of North Macedonia and the United Kingdom agreed to sign a strategic partnership in the following period (“Strategic Partnership Agreement”). Under the Strategic Partnership Agreement, the UK will provide North Macedonia with a EUR 6 billion credit line for large infrastructure, railway, transport, healthcare, and energy projects. […]
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Albanian Data Protection Commissioner Issues Binding Guidance on CCTV Under the New Data Protection Law
As part of the ongoing adoption of sub-legal acts implementing Law No. 124/2024 “On the Protection of Personal Data”, fully aligned with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Albanian Data Protection Commissioner has approved Instruction No. 3, dated 30 April 2025, “On the Processing of Personal Data through Video Surveillance Systems” (“Instruction”). This […]
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Cirtuo Joins Forces with Coupa in Strategic AI-Powered Procurement Deal
We are pleased to announce that our colleagues from Ilej & Partners, in cooperation with Karanović & Partners, Senior Partner Goran Ilej and Senior Associate Antun Skansi, have advised Cirtuo, a leader in AI-powered category management software, in connection with its acquisition by Coupa, a global leader in business spend management. With this transaction, Coupa […]
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Maritime Law Spotlight at Waterborne Week 2025
On 14 May 2025, our Partner Andrej Jelenković, representing the Montenegrin Maritime Law Association, participated in Waterborne Week, organised by the Transport Community, an international organisation that supports integrating Western Balkans’ transport markets into the EU by helping regional partners adopt EU laws and improve connectivity. During the event, Andrej presented an engaging maritime law […]
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New Amendment Eases Data Transfer Rules from North Macedonia to NATO Nations
On 14 May 2025, significant changes were made to North Macedonia’s personal data protection legislation. The Assembly of the Republic passed an amendment to expand the nations where personal data can be shared freely, without facing third-country transfer restrictions. Previously, such exemptions were only granted to European Union (EU) member states and those in the […]
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North Macedonia Enacts New Energy Law Aimed at Facilitating the Country’s Energy Transition and Climate Goals
On 14 May 2025, the Parliament of the Republic of North Macedonia adopted the new Energy Law, modelled on European Union (EU) acquis and aligning the country’s energy policies with the EU’s Clean Energy Package. It is expected that the novelties which the new Energy Law provides will significantly accelerate the energy transition in the […]
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Albania Adopts New Direct Marketing Rules Aligned with GDPR
Recently, the Albanian Data Protection Commissioner issued Instruction No. 4, dated 30 April 2025, “On Personal Data Protection and Security Measures in Direct Marketing” (“Instruction”). Adopted pursuant to Law No. 124/2024 “On the Protection of Personal Data,” the Instruction marks a notable step in the implementation of Albania’s modernised data protection regime, which is now […]
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New International Tender Issued for North Macedonia–Albania 400 kV Energy Link
On 25 April 2025, AD MEPSO published an international tender for the supply and installation of a 400 kV overhead transmission line (“OHTL”) connecting North Macedonia’s Bitola 2 substation to the Albanian border (“Tender”). The tender covers the construction of a 100 km OHTL stretching from Bitola 2 substation, through Ohrid, to the Macedonian-Albanian border. […]
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