CEE Legal Matters is proud to introduce the latest in our Comparative Guides series. This one focuses on Bribery & Corruption in CEE.

Contributed by Schoenherr.

The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) recently delivered a significant judgment in Case C-365/23 - Arce[1], addressing the application of EU consumer protection law to contracts involving minors in the sports sector.

On 17 April 2025, the Law on the Implementation of Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 on the Single Market for Digital Services (the Digital Services Act or "DSA") (the "Law") entered into force in Croatia. The Law marks a significant step in harmonising the national legislation with the EU's regulatory framework for digital services.

Schoenherr has advised Verbund Wind Power Romania on the acquisition of a 272-megawatt wind project from Monsson. Berechet Rusu Hirit reportedly advised Monsson.

Schoenherr has advised Bank Pekao on the financing granted to Prime PV Group.

Cerha Hempel has advised Flughafen Wien on a joint venture with international logistics company Bradford Airport Logistics to establish Vienna Airport Logistics GmbH. Sidley Austin and Schoenherr advised Bradford Airport Logistics.

Schoenherr has advised BPM Capital on providing mezzanine financing for a management buy-in acquisition of Medical Mazella while Gessel advised BNP Paribas Bank Polska on its co-investment in the buyout. Reportedly, Compliance Partners advised co-investor MedPack and Misiewicz, Mosek i Partnerzy advised Medical Mazella.

Moravcevic Vojnovic and Partners in Cooperation with Schoenherr has advised Elixir Group on its recent green bond issuance totaling RSD 4.1 billion (approximately EUR 35 million). 

Legal Ground and 360Competition have advised APS Holding on its acquisition of IMO Property Investments Bucharest and its portfolio from Eurobank. Schoenherr reportedly advised Eurobank.

Good news for companies seeking to collect debts from Romanian business partners: the Romanian Parliament has recently passed a draft law amending the threshold value for the country's small claims procedure.

Through its 27 February 2025 law ("Law 33/2025"), the Moldovan Parliament amended the current rules on control of investments into sectors important for the security of the state ("Law 174/2021" or the "FDI Law"). The amendments enter into force on 20 April 2025.

CMS has advised Synlab International on the sale of its business activities in Eastern Europe – including its entities in Croatia, North Macedonia, Romania, Slovenia, Turkiye, and Cyprus – to Medicover Group. Schoenherr advised Medicover.

Schoenherr has advised IGT Services and Technologies on the acquisition of the Service Delivery division of Connections Consult.

Schoenherr and Hogan Lovells have advised PTC on its acquisition of IncQuery Group. Act Legal and Winkler, Barna & Associates reportedly advised the sellers.

Moravcevic, Vojnovic and Partners in cooperation with Schoenherr has advised BlackPeak Capital on its investment in Kafeterija.

Schoenherr has advised mBank on financing to Unity Care and Salus in cooperation with Enterprise Investors for the consolidation and modernization of outpatient healthcare facilities in Poland. Greenberg Traurig advised Enterprise Investors.

Schoenherr has advised UniCredit Bank Hungary on a design-and-build project to completely refurbish its country headquarters in Budapest and assigned to Fitout Zrt. as the developer.