New Croatian law could bring life sentences for severe environmental damage

ZAGREB, 21 August 2026 – Croatia is preparing major changes to its criminal legislation that would introduce ecocide as a new criminal offence, with those responsible for the most serious environmental damage potentially facing life imprisonment.

Justice, Public Administration and Digital Transformation Minister Damir Habijan outlined the Government’s plans during an extraordinary session of the Croatian Parliament focused on addressing the long-running waste management problem in Gospić.

The proposed amendments to the Criminal Code are being prepared to transpose an EU directive on protecting the environment through criminal law. A working group was established in May last year to prepare the changes.

One of the key proposals is a new offence, described as an “especially serious criminal offence against the environment”, or ecocide.

Under the proposed legislation, those convicted could face at least 10 years in prison, rising to a long-term prison sentence. As the amendments also propose introducing life imprisonment into Croatia’s criminal justice system, the most serious cases of ecocide could potentially carry a life sentence.

Croatia would become only the third EU member state to introduce a specific form of ecocide offence, after France and Belgium, according to Habijan.

The Government also proposes that criminal prosecution for ecocide would not be subject to a statute of limitations.

Habijan said this reflected the nature of environmental crimes, noting that the consequences of pollution affecting soil or water can sometimes only become apparent decades later.

The proposed reforms would also increase financial penalties for companies convicted of criminal offences. The maximum fine for a legal entity would rise from the current €20 million, or €25 million in certain cases involving organised criminal activity, to €50 million.

The Government says the changes are intended to strengthen criminal-law protection of the environment and increase accountability for the most serious forms of environmental harm.