This article analyzes the Decision of the Italian Data Protection Commissioner (“Commissioner“) No. 472 of July 17, 2024 (“Decision“), which concerns the monitoring of employees’ official computers and emails, and the protection of personal data in accordance with Italian regulations and the General Data Protection Regulation of the European Union, which was adopted on April 14, 2016, and came into force on May 25, 2018 (“GDPR”).

On December 30, 2024, a new European Union crypto-asset regulation, known as MiCAR (Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation), came into effect. This regulation establishes unified rules for the crypto-asset market and imposes stricter requirements on crypto service providers. Additionally, on July 1, 2024, a new crypto-asset market law came into force in Estonia (krüptovaraturu seadus or KrüTS in Estonian).

As we step into the new year, we often look forward rather than back. However, to ensure you don’t miss anything important, we’d like to remind you of significant updates.

Based on the 2017 Central Budget Act, the financial system of the local governments was supplemented by a new source: the solidarity contribution, which is paid to the central budget by a proportion of municipalities with a high per capita tax burden and is aimed at improving equal opportunities.

The past year has brought several important changes in the employment area. Most of the new developments are already in force, but for some we had to wait until the beginning of 2025. However, some important changes are still not in force, nor have they been approved. Also due to considerable media support, part of the public is confused, and unexpected situations may arise. Below is a summary of the most important changes.

On 19 December 2024, Ukraine experienced one of the largest cyberattacks on its public registers launched by the Russian Federation. Among the many targeted registers was the State Register of Property Rights to Real Estate ("Real Estate Register").

The new Hungarian Architecture Act stipulates that areas designated as green zones, agricultural zones or forest zones cannot be selected as new development zones or special non-development zones.

The Croatian Government is preparing to establish a comprehensive system for screening foreign direct investments (FDIs) by adopting the new Act on the Screening of Foreign Direct Investments (the "Act").

The European Union’s Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, launched in October 2021, marked a significant shift in the EU’s foreign policy. It represented a comprehensive approach to engaging with the region of the Indo-Pacific, which is increasingly recognized as a global economic and strategic hub. Together, the Indo-Pacific and Europe hold over 70% of global trade in goods and services, as well as 60% of foreign direct investment (FDI) flows.

Although more than six years have passed since the adoption of the new Personal Data Protection Law (the “Law“), there are still practical uncertainties about when data controllers and processors must appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO). Additionally, many foreign data controllers and processors subject to the Law have yet to fulfill their obligation to appoint a representative for personal data protection. This lack of compliance makes it harder for individuals to exercise their rights when it comes to the processing of their personal data.

Intellectual property is a broad concept that covers several types of legally recognized rights originating from some type of intellectual creativity or that are otherwise related to ideas. Intellectual property rights are rights to intangible things, i.e., ideas as expressed (i.e. copyrights) or as embodied in a practical implementation (i.e. patents). Fundamentally, intellectual property rights are rights in ideal objects, distinguished from the material substance in which they are instantiated. In today’s legal systems, the key forms of intellectual property are (i) copyrights, (ii) trademarks and (iii) patents.

In 2023, Hungary introduced the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system, which places the financial responsibility for the waste management of circular products on producers.

By passing the proposed bill on 25 November 2024, the Hungarian Government enacted significant changes to the taxation of company vehicles, set to take effect in 2025 and beyond. These modifications aim to increase tax revenues and promote the adoption of environmentally friendly vehicles.

The German Law on the Corporate Due Diligence Obligations for the Prevent of Human Rights Violations in Supply Chains introduces for the first time the obligation for German companies to comply with certain procedures and rules, implement due diligence obligations and appropriate measures, in supply chains, with the aim of preventing human rights violations and damages to the environment. The mentioned German Law does not have a direct impact on companies in Serbia, so the sanctions prescribed by that Law cannot be enforced in Serbia, however, there is a certain influence on Serbian companies that will need to comply with, for reasons of further cooperation with German companies.

The Austrian Supreme Court (6 Ob 224/23v) recently determined the requirements for a partial transfer of a share if the articles of association expressly stipulate that shares cannot be divided.

The amendment package includes several minor amendments to help interpreting the text of the Hungarian ESG Act, and the provisions of the ESG Act have been brought into line with the content of the regulations supplementing the provisions of the ESG Act in several places. The amendments entered into force on 19 January 2025.

A draft law proposing changes to Law No. 8116, dated March 29, 1996, “The Civil Procedure Code of the Republic of Albania,” has been submitted for approval to the Albanian Assembly. These amendments are part of a comprehensive initiative to enhance the efficiency of the judicial system and improve the overall quality of judicial proceedings in the country.

Poland is becoming more and more interesting for foreigners looking to invest. This is due to Poland’s central location in Central and Eastern Europe and the country’s continuous economic development, making it a place with potential for becoming a focal point for Central European business on the Old Continent.