Croatia has adopted amendments to the Electronic Communications Act, aiming to align the domestic legal framework with European regulations. This change is closely linked to the adoption of European Union Regulation 2024/1309, which aims to reduce costs associated with deploying gigabit electronic communications networks. The goal of the reform is to facilitate infrastructure construction for investors, thereby promoting faster development of the telecommunications network in the country.
Under the new regulations, the Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries (HAKOM) assumes a key role in procedures for determining or issuing documents related to building permits. Although the standard ECI statement (statement on the position of electronic communications infrastructure) is still used in procedures, strict supervision is exercised regarding compliance with regulations. Particular attention is paid to the protection of existing telecommunications networks. If it is determined during the procedure that infrastructure passes through a construction area, it is stipulated that appropriate protection measures must be established and implemented during construction itself to prevent damage.
For investors building residential properties, the law introduces specific provisions. An investor seeking a building permit for the construction of a family home is no longer obliged to construct electronic communications infrastructure up to the boundary of the building plot, which represents an easing in the administrative procedure. Although the law mandates the construction of a common antenna system for receiving terrestrial radio and television programmes, and requires the installation of necessary cabling for each individual residential or business unit, financial responsibility is more precisely defined. In the event that relocation of the connection cable is necessary, the investor bears the costs of this operation exclusively, thereby clearly delineating responsibilities between the contractor and the client.
