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Croatia

Digital snapshot – key policies and laws

The country’s broader digital agenda is anchored in the Digital Croatia Strategy 2032, which focuses on a digital economy, digitalised public administration, very-high-capacity networks and digital skills. Croatia’s Digital Decade roadmap contains 31 measures worth about EUR 634.73 million, while the European Commission’s 2025 assessment notes strong progress in digital infrastructure and cybersecurity.

Digital public services are centred on e-Citizens, Croatia’s main portal for public-sector information and e-services, open to all EU citizens and foreign residents. Its identity layer, NIAS (National Identification and Authentication System), manages electronic identities for secure access to public e-services, supporting a more integrated e-government model. Croatia is also linking its services to the EU cross-border frameworks, including the Single Digital Gateway and evidence-exchange mechanisms.

Regarding infrastructure, HAKOM (Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries)’s 2024 report says 5G coverage reached 94% of the population, while almost half of rural households had access to gigabit networks, and that clearly places Croatia among the stronger regional performers on mobile coverage, though rural fibre and mid-band 5G remain policy priorities. Connectivity policy is guided by the National Broadband Development Plan 2021–2027, Digital Croatia 2032 and the EU recovery funding, while future Adriatic routes such as GreenMed could increase international cable diversity.

On rights and regulation, Croatia follows the EU model. HAKOM acts as the Digital Services Coordinator under the Digital Services Act, while AZOP (Croatian Personal Data Protection Agency) enforces GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and imposed a notable EUR 4.5 million fine on a telecom operator in 2025. Croatia also notified AI Act authorities for fundamental-rights oversight, including ombudsperson bodies, AZOP, the electoral authority and the media regulator, while preparing a National AI Development Plan 2032 and an action plan for 2026–2028.

Relating to data governance, the 2025 Open Data Policy frames public-sector data as a basis for digital transformation, innovation, economic growth, transparency and accountability, while Croatia’s open-data portal provides public-sector datasets for free use and re-use. Together with AI, cybersecurity, DSA (Digital Services Act), GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and broadband reforms show a country moving toward a more regulated digital governance model, with implementation instruments, capacity development and integration in businesses and public institutions.

Croatia’s NIS2 turn

Croatia’s Cybersecurity Act, in force since 15 February 2024, marks a shift from a narrow critical-infrastructure approach to a broader model of national cyber resilience. By transposing the EU NIS2 Directive, the law expands cybersecurity obligations to a wider circle of essential entities, including sectors such as health, transport, energy, finance, digital infrastructure and public administration. It strengthens the role of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC-HR) as a central actor for coordination, prevention and response, while introducing clearer duties on risk management, incident reporting and supervision. The new framework is complemented by a National Cyber Crisis Management Programme, which defines responsibilities across technical, operational and strategic levels. Its relevance became tangible in 2024, when cyberattacks on KBC Zagreb, Croatia’s largest hospital, and Split Airport exposed how digital disruption can affect public safety, mobility and economic confidence.

Croatia’s Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva:

Croatia’s Permanent Mission in Geneva represents the country at the UN Office at Geneva and other international organisations based in the city. The UN Geneva Blue Book lists the mission under the formal name Permanent Mission of the Republic of Croatia to the UN Office and other international organisations in Geneva, with Croatia’s National Day recorded as 30 May.

Official UNOG website: https://www.ungeneva.org/en/blue-book/missions/member-states/croatia

EMBASSY AND PERMANENT MISSION TO THE UN – GENEVA

Twitter/X: https://x.com/MFA_Croatia

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Consult Croatia’s digital strategies and regulations

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