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 of rules governing the collection, use, and disclosure of health and genetic data.

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 1 May 2025.

Big law firms can coast on boring slogans. They’ve got the clout, the infrastructure, and the impressive list of past clients to do the talking. But if you’re a smaller firm and your website sounds like everyone else’s, you are disappearing into the beige background of legal marketing noise.

Schoenherr has advised Okoenergie Beteiligungs on the repowering and expansion of the Pillichsdorf III wind farm in Lower Austria.

CMS has advised the founder of Fiskaltrust Consulting on a financing round that includes the entry of a new international majority shareholder. Moser Legal advised the undisclosed incoming investor.

Schoenherr and Cerha Hempel have advised OMV on global regulatory filings, including merger control procedures before the European Commission and national competition authorities, related to the combination of OMV subsidiary Borealis, ADNOC subsidiary Borouge, and NOVA Chemicals. White & Case's Dubai office reportedly advised OMV as well. Freshfields, Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, and Latham & Watkins reportedly advised ADNOC.

Contributed by Arzinger

The commercial legal markets of Central & Eastern Europe didn’t appear automatically. They didn’t develop in a vacuum. They were formed, shaped, and led, by lawyers – visionary, hard-working, commercially-minded, and client-focused individuals pulling the development of CEE’s legal markets along behind them as they labored relentlessly for their clients, their careers, their futures. 

Gecic Law has successfully represented Arena Channels Group, alongside BH Telecom and Mtel Banja Luka, in an antitrust dispute before the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. This time around, we asked: For 2025, what is the one sector or industry in the country that shows the most promise for growth, and why?

Big law firms can coast on boring slogans. They’ve got the clout, the infrastructure, and the impressive list of past clients to do the talking. But if you’re a smaller firm and your website sounds like everyone else’s, you are disappearing into the beige background of legal marketing noise.

After the European Commission’s letter in December 2024, which identified the risks of regulatory arbitrage stemming from diverging interpretations, risks that we also encounter in practice, the European Banking Authority (“EBA”), in its outlook, called for no immediate action regarding the PSD2’s applicability to services related to electronic money tokens (“EMTs”). On 10 June 2025, the long-awaited Opinion of the EBA (the “EBA No Action Letter”) on the interplay between Directive 2015/2366 (“PSD2”) and Regulation 2023/1114 (“MiCA”) in relation to crypto-asset service providers (“CASPs”) that transact in EMTs was finally published.  

Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov, working with Linklaters, has advised joint bookrunners Citigroup and J.P. Morgan on the EUR 800 million Eurobond issuance by Bulgarian Energy Holding. Spasov & Bratanov, working with Allen Overy Shearman Sterling, advised Bulgarian Energy Holding.

Wolf Theiss has advised Sofia South Ring Mall on the EUR 79 million cross-border refinancing of its flagship retail property in Bulgaria. Dentons and Boyanov & Co advised the lenders – Eurobank Bulgaria, Eurobank Greece, and Eurobank Luxembourg Private Bank.

Gospic Plazina Stojs has advised lead manager and lead bookrunner Erste&Steiermaerkische Bank on Bosqar Invest’s issuance of EUR 143.2 million in sustainability-linked bonds. Mamic Peric Reberski Rimac advised Bosqar Invest.

CMS has advised Eleport on its market entry into Croatia and Slovenia.

Wahl has advised Magdis on the sale of its shares to H2 Special Purpose Vehicle.

Schoenherr and Gessel have advised BHM Group on the sale of its portfolio of ten A-Centrum retail parks in Poland to the Reticulum Group. Kinstellar reportedly advised Reticulum Group.

Baker McKenzie has promoted Malgorzata Bakula and Slavomir Slavik to Partner as part of its latest promotion round that saw a total of 59 lawyers join the firm's partnership ranks.

The Czech Office for the Protection of Competition fined the Association of Disinfection, Disinsection and Pest Control Workers of the Czech Republic for publishing, since 2016, so-called median prices for the provision of disinfection, disinsection and pest control services on its website.

Bernitsas has advised Georg Duncker on its acquisition of Fortius Risk Solutions and National Insurance Brokers.

In June 2025, Bernitsas announced that China State Grid's EUR 62 million acquisition of a 20% stake in Ariadne Interconnection (as reported by CEE Legal Matters on November 28, 2024) has now closed.

Kyriakides Georgopoulos has advised Piraeus Bank as the listing advisor on the EUR 68.3 million share capital increase of Europe Holdings.

Oppenheim has advised CPI Europe on its sale of the Marriott Hotel Budapest to undisclosed buyers.

Significant amendments to Hungary's foreign direct investment (FDI) control regime entered into force on 24 June 2025, introducing expanded pre-emption rights for the state and revised procedural timelines.

On 11 June 2025 the Hungarian Parliament adopted the proposal on the protection of local identity, essentially drafted to safeguard the interests of local communities in Hungarian municipalities, which was also published in the Hungarian Gazette on 16 June 2025.

In April 2007, Estonia made global headlines — not for a military conflict or natural disaster, but for one of the first coordinated large-scale cyberattacks against a nation-state. Sparked by the relocation of a Soviet-era war memorial in Tallinn (known as the Bronze Night), the country’s digital infrastructure was flooded with denial-of-service attacks. Government websites, banks, media outlets, and essential services were knocked offline. It was a wake-up call: digital threats could now paralyze a country just as effectively as tanks and missiles. 

Cobalt has advised RINA on the acquisition of the Foreship Group from Vaaka Partners and other shareholders.

Walless has advised Nordwood on its acquisition of Flexa Eesti from Flexa4Dreams. KPMG Law advised Flexa4Dreams.

Kosovo is in political limbo after the February elections, with stalled government formation affecting key decisions, according to Ardian Rexha, an Attorney at Law associated with Deloitte Kosova. At the same time, energy reforms and price hikes by the regulator are causing strong reactions from businesses and the public.

Kosovo is accelerating its energy transition, SEPA integration, and corporate transparency, aligning with EU standards to boost investment, competition, and economic stability, according to Nallbani Law Office Managing Partner Delvina Nallbani.

On the evening of April 1, 2025, the Deal of the Year Awards Banquet brought together, under the same roof, over 200 top-tier lawyers from Central and Eastern Europe's leading law firms and General Counsel from across the region in Prague.

In April 2007, Estonia made global headlines — not for a military conflict or natural disaster, but for one of the first coordinated large-scale cyberattacks against a nation-state. Sparked by the relocation of a Soviet-era war memorial in Tallinn (known as the Bronze Night), the country’s digital infrastructure was flooded with denial-of-service attacks. Government websites, banks, media outlets, and essential services were knocked offline. It was a wake-up call: digital threats could now paralyze a country just as effectively as tanks and missiles. 

Cobalt has advised Eolus on the sale of its greenfield Pienava wind power project to Latvenergo.

Sorainen has advised Activate Capital on its investment in Aerones as part of a USD 62 million round. Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo reportedly advised Activate Capital as well.

In April 2007, Estonia made global headlines — not for a military conflict or natural disaster, but for one of the first coordinated large-scale cyberattacks against a nation-state. Sparked by the relocation of a Soviet-era war memorial in Tallinn (known as the Bronze Night), the country’s digital infrastructure was flooded with denial-of-service attacks. Government websites, banks, media outlets, and essential services were knocked offline. It was a wake-up call: digital threats could now paralyze a country just as effectively as tanks and missiles. 

Sorainen has advised Nordspace on its EUR 6 million bond offering and listing on the Nasdaq First North alternative market.

Sorainen has advised Key Carbon on a EUR 100 million partnership agreement with InSoil.

On May 21, 2025, the new Energy Law was published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of North Macedonia, adopted by the North Macedonia Assembly on May 14. This systemic and reform-oriented law marks a pivotal step in the transformation of the national energy sector, aligning it with European standards, sustainable development goals, and consumer protection principles.

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.

Starting from 29 May 2025 a new Energy Law starts to apply in North Macedonia. This new regulatory framework serves for transposition of the Clean Energy Package into the national legislation and introducing major novelties, such as new development process for energy generation and storage capacities, integration of e-mobility to the electricity grid, additional possibilities for development of natural gas and heating networks, etc.

Moldova’s legal landscape is undergoing a period of gradual yet meaningful transformation, according to Balaban & Partners Managing Partner Natalia Balaban who reports an increased reliance on alternative dispute resolution, strides in digitalization, and a wave of legislative reforms tied to the country’s EU accession ambitions.

On 17 March 2025, a new Regulation of the Moldovan Competition Council (the "MCC") on Economic Concentrations (the "New EC Regulation") entered into force in Moldova (as secondary legislation). It introduces several key changes aimed at enhancing the enforcement of competition legislation and increasing transparency. The New EC Regulation transposes several European Union regulations, including the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/914 of 20 April 2023 and the Commission Notice on a simplified treatment for certain concentrations 2023/C 160/01.

On 22 April 2025, Law No. 66/2025 on combating delayed performance of payment obligations in contracts between professionals or between professionals and public authorities was published ("Law No. 66").

The Ministry of Economic Development has conducted a public consultation on the draft Law on Class Actions. The primary reason for adopting a special law which regulates matters related to the collective protection of consumers is, above all, the harmonization of Montenegrin legislation with EU law, specifically with Directive (EU) 2020/1828 on representative actions for the protection of the collective interests of consumers and repealing Directive 2009/22/EC. The goal is to prevent and sanction mass violations of consumer rights by traders in the market, while also ensuring fair compensation for harmed consumers. In this text, we briefly present the most important amendments and innovations introduced by the draft Law on Class Actions.

Injac Attorneys has advised Build Your Dreams on its market entry into Serbia and Montenegro.

JPM Partners has advised MFI Flex Credit on obtaining a license to operate as a microcredit financial institution from the Central Bank of Montenegro.

Schoenherr and Gessel have advised BHM Group on the sale of its portfolio of ten A-Centrum retail parks in Poland to the Reticulum Group. Kinstellar reportedly advised Reticulum Group.

Baker McKenzie has promoted Malgorzata Bakula and Slavomir Slavik to Partner as part of its latest promotion round that saw a total of 59 lawyers join the firm's partnership ranks.

SSW has advised Eika Asset Management on securing financing from Santander Bank Polska for the development of a logistics facility in Sochaczew, Poland. DLA Piper reportedly advised Santander Bank Polska.

CMS has advised Bitdefender on its agreement to acquire Mesh Security Limited.

Act Legal Romania, working with Lexelians Avocats, has advised Groupe Genoyer on the sale of its Romanian subsidiary Vilmar to Special Flanges. Kinstellar, working with Skadden, advised Special Flanges.

With a new president taking office in May and a shifting fiscal landscape, Romania is navigating a period of political and legal recalibration, according to Bancila, Diaconu si Asociatii Partner Adriana Dobre.

Contributed by Clifford Chance.

Contributed by Alrud.

The commercial legal markets of Central & Eastern Europe didn’t appear automatically. They didn’t develop in a vacuum. They were formed, shaped, and led, by lawyers – visionary, hard-working, commercially-minded, and client-focused individuals pulling the development of CEE’s legal markets along behind them as they labored relentlessly for their clients, their careers, their futures. 

The Law on Amendments and Supplements to the Law on Games of Chance, adopted by the end of 2024 and applied as from 6 January 2025, has brought several important changes and new legal solutions that have arisen from the needs of practice and market development. In addition to harmonizing the text of the law with the technological development in this area, the amendments to the law introduced new obligations for organizers and a significant increase in fees for obtaining approval and for organizing games of chance.

The Government of the Republic of Serbia recently adopted a Decree on Additional Requirements for Placing on the Market Products Containing Palm Oil, Palm Fat, or Other Vegetable Oils and Fats ("Official Gazette of RS", No. 47/2025), which entered into force on 7 June 2025 (“the Decree”).

David Vucinic has joined MaxBet, a member of Flutter Entertainment, as its new Compliance and AML Officer.

Kinstellar has advised Accolade Holding on its acquisition of a 21,600-square-meter logistics facility in Kosice, eastern Slovakia. Hillbridges reportedly advised the sellers.

The Ministry of Justice of the Slovak Republic recently presented a draft of a new legislation governing the Slovak Commercial Register, amending the Slovak Commercial Code and other acts (New Legislation).

Kocian, Solc, Balastik has advised J&T on the launch of a bond issuance program for the EMMA Capital investment group. White & Case reportedly advised EMMA Capital.

CMS has advised Eleport on its market entry into Croatia and Slovenia.

Cerha Hempel, working with Selih & Partnerji, has advised SES Spar European Shopping Centers on its acquisition of the Arkadia Shopping Center retail park located in Domzale, near Ljubljana, Slovenia, from Generali Adriatic Value Fund I, managed by Generali Investments Slovenija. Sole practitioner Dunja Jandl reportedly advised the sellers.

Slovenia’s dynamic political environment is keeping the legal market on its toes, with pressing developments in taxation, employment law, cybersecurity, capital markets, and infrastructure all demanding close attention, according to Peterka Partners Senior Associate and Head of Slovenian office Pia Florjancic Pozeg Vancas.

Paksoy has advised Siniora Food Industries Company on its acquisition of the remaining shares in Polonez, giving Siniora full ownership of the Turkish processed meat producer.

Clifford Chance has advised BNP Paribas-TEB, ING, and QNB on the financing provided to Cimsa for its acquisition of Ireland-based Mannok.

Gen Temizer Erdogan Girgin Attorney Partnership has advised Ticimax and its founder and sole shareholder Cenk Cigdemli on the sale of a majority stake to Team.blue. Kolcuoglu Demirkan Kocakli advised Team.blue.

Ukrainian taxpayers operating within multinational enterprise groups (MNEs) with consolidated annual revenues exceeding EUR 750 million may, for the first time in 2025, be required to independently file Country-by-Country (CbC) reports. This applies in particular to companies that are part of MNEs with a U.S.-based ultimate parent entity.

The Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine has introduced several important changes in the field of plant variety rights protection that will facilitate registration for right holders.

Sayenko Kharenko has advised PJSC Stalkanat on initializing a sunset review of anti-dumping measures applied to imports of cables and ropes originating from China.