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CEE Transposition Status of the EU Pay Transparency Directive
The EU Pay Transparency Directive is no longer a distant HR compliance topic. It will require employers to review how pay is set, documented, disclosed and justified, with a particular focus on equal pay for equal work and work of equal value. EU Member States must transpose the Directive into national law by 7 June 2026. The European Commission has confirmed that, after that deadline, it will assess whether national legislation properly reflects the Directive’s requirements. With the deadline now only weeks away, the picture across the region remains uneven. Some countries have published draft legislation, some are still preparing proposals, and Slovakia has already completed the legislative process. Employers with
Agricultural land restrictions expiring in Bulgaria: New opportunities for energy and infrastructure projects
The decade‑long ban in Bulgaria on the municipal disposal of residual agricultural land remaining after the restitution to former owners - so-called land under Article 19 of the Agricultural Land Ownership and Use Act (“Residual Agricultural Land”) has now officially expired. Introduced in 2015, the restriction came to an end on 23 December 2025, enabling the municipalities to dispose of such land in accordance with the general statutory regime and creating new opportunities for energy and infrastructure developments. 1. Background: Historical context and legal regime Residual Agricultural Land originally belonged to private owners and was later nationalised or subject to severe restrictions on ownership rights.
Kinstellar advises Raiffeisen Bank International on the growth financing of REPLOID Group in Austria
Kinstellar has recently advised Raiffeisen Bank International on the provision of a double-digit million-euro growth financing to REPLOID Group, an Austrian biotechnology company. The financing represents a strong endorsement of REPLOID’s scalable and profitable business model, which focuses on the conversion of organic residual materials. By combining circular economy principles with advanced insect technology, REPLOID produces high-quality proteins, fats, and organic fertilisers, addressing a rapidly growing market of strategic importance for a more sustainable economy. Scale-up banking is a relatively new product in the Austrian market, and Kinstellar combined its financing experience with Raiffeisen Bank International
Kinstellar and KST Law advise Balderton Capital on Grand Games’ USD 70 million Series B investment
Kinstellar and KST Law have advised Balderton Capital on its participation in the USD 70 million Series B funding round of Grand Games, one of Türkiye’s fastest-growing mobile gaming companies, building on our prior advice to Balderton Capital in connection with the USD 30 million Series A financing round of Grand Games, reflecting our continued relationship on this track. The round was led by Balderton Capital’s Growth Fund, alongside participation from existing and new investors, bringing Grand Games’ total funding to USD 103 million. Founded in 2024, Grand Games has rapidly emerged as one of the fastest-growing mobile gaming companies in the region, having released six titles and surpassed 50 million global
New rules for international military assistance in Ukraine: Key changes
Ukraine has introduced important updates to the way international military assistance is coordinated during martial law. The changes broaden the scope of such assistance to include financial contributions from partner states and establish a more streamlined, centralised approach to working with donors. Click on one of the images below or use the following links to read our overview of the key changes in English or in Ukrainian. Download in English: Download in Ukrainian:
AI in HR: More time to prepare – not less to do
On 7 May 2026, the European Parliament and Council reached a political agreement to postpone the application of key obligations for high-risk AI systems under the EU AI Act. For standalone systems, including many HR and recruitment tools, the deadline is expected to move from 2 August 2026 to 2 December 2027. The European Parliament and Council must now formally adopt the political agreement. This is a welcome development for many organisations. It recognises that the compliance framework is still maturing, but it should not be misunderstood. The extension affects timing, not substance. The underlying legal and operational expectations remain unchanged. Several of the AI Act’s most important provisions are
Exchange of temporary residence permits: Updated rules in Ukraine
Ukraine has updated the rules governing the exchange of temporary residence permits. The new regulation becomes effective on 7 May 2026 and establishes a mandatory deadline for certain foreign nationals and stateless persons to renew their residence permits, replacing earlier wartime flexibility with a clearly defined application period. Click on one of the images below or use the following links to read our overview in English or in Ukrainian. Download in English: Download in Ukrainian:
The European Cybersecurity Reform – Expanded overview
We are pleased to share our updated and extended overview and critical analysis of the European cybersecurity reform, Cybersecurity Act 2.0 (CSA2), now including additional jurisdictions. This overview examines one of the most significant proposed shifts in the EU’s digital regulatory framework since the adoption of the original Cybersecurity Act. It outlines the key elements of the European Commission’s proposal, including the expansion of ENISA’s mandate, the centralisation of certain cybersecurity competences at EU level, and a harmonised framework addressing “non-technical risks” linked to third-country suppliers. The analysis also highlights the potential impact of CSA2 on Member States’ sovereignty
Croatia resets grid connection cost certainty trough nationwide unit charges from 1 May 2026
After more than three years of regulatory limbo, the Croatian Energy Regulatory Agency (HERA) has replaced case-by-case "actual cost" pricing with a uniform EUR/kW tariff that applies across the country. Developers can again estimate connection charges at an early stage of the project development. On 27 April 2026, HERA adopted the Decision on Unit Charges for Connection to the Electricity Grid (Cro. Odluka o iznosu jedinične naknade za priključenje na elektroenergetsku mrežu; the Decision), into force from 1 May 2026. The Decision closes a regulatory gap that has held up the Croatian renewables pipeline since autumn 2022. Capacity-based connection charges now apply nationwide, replacing the project-specific
Upcoming changes to Romanian cookie consent framework
Romania is taking a significant step towards bringing its cookie consent rules into line with the standards established under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the guidance of the European Data Protection Board (EDPB). A legislative proposal currently under parliamentary review would introduce binding, prescriptive requirements governing the design and operation of cookie consent mechanisms – requirements that will have direct practical consequences for any organisation operating a website or digital service accessible from Romania. The domestic legal framework on cookies is primarily governed by Law No. 506/2004 on the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications
New conditions in Romania for the recruitment of foreign workers: Necessary reform or overregulation?
On 27 April 2026, Government Emergency Ordinance No. 32/2026 (“the Ordinance”) regarding the access of foreign nationals to the Romanian labour market entered into force. I. Preliminary considerations The Ordinance regulates the registration and obligations of employers of foreign nationals, as well as the authorisation and operation of foreign placement agencies in the Romanian labour market. Compared to existing regulations, it marks a significant shift in legislative approach, aimed at more rigorous oversight of the recruitment of foreign nationals. The Ordinance introduces a significantly stricter and more extensive system of authorisation, monitoring, and control, applicable both to placement agencies
Kinstellar advises Zwift on its acquisition of ROUVY to create a global indoor cycling
We are pleased to have advised Zwift, a California-based global leader in fitness technology, together with Goodwin Procter, on its acquisition of Czech indoor cycling platform ROUVY. The transaction marks a significant step in the consolidation of the indoor training sector, bringing together two prominent platforms with complementary strengths. The combination of Zwift’s immersive virtual environments with Rouvy’s real-route video experience is expected to enhance their global offering, while ROUVY will continue to operate under its existing brand and management. The value of the transaction has not been disclosed. Kinstellar provided comprehensive legal support to Zwift throughout the transaction, advising on