Croatia introduces life imprisonment with parole possible after 25 years

ZAGREB, 10 September 2026 – Croatia is set to introduce life imprisonment into its criminal justice system, with prisoners becoming eligible to seek parole after serving 25 years, under a major package of proposed amendments to criminal legislation.

The reforms, presented by Justice and Public Administration Minister Damir Habijan on Thursday, would introduce life imprisonment for offences currently punishable by long-term prison sentences of between 21 and 40 years.

The same option would also apply when a single sentence is imposed for multiple offences committed in concurrence.

Under the proposed system, a person sentenced to life imprisonment could apply for conditional release after completing 25 years in prison.

Habijan said the 25-year threshold was among the strictest approaches in the European Union, where the possibility of parole for life prisoners is generally available earlier, in some cases after 15 to 20 years.

The reform would also introduce a special supervision measure after a prisoner has completed their full sentence. The measure is intended to provide additional protection for society from the most dangerous offenders.

Supervision would last between one and five years. For the most serious offences committed against children, the period would range from one to 10 years.

The possibility of imposing a life sentence will be introduced from January 1, 2027.

Ecocide added to criminal law

The proposed changes would also strengthen criminal protection of the environment through the introduction of a new offence covering particularly serious environmental crimes, commonly referred to as ecocide.

The offence would carry a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, rising to long-term imprisonment and, once the new life sentence is introduced, potentially life imprisonment.

The offence would also not be subject to a statute of limitations.

Penalties would also be increased for terrorism resulting in death and the most serious offences against public safety, including causing a fire resulting in death. Such offences would carry sentences ranging from at least five years to long-term or life imprisonment.

New offences involving animals

The package also expands criminal protection for animals.

Two new criminal offences are proposed – sexual exploitation of animals and the unauthorised practice of veterinary medicine. Existing offences involving animal cruelty would also face tougher penalties.

Habijan said animal protection organisations had been involved in consultations during the preparation of the proposals.

Tougher penalties for companies

The reforms extend beyond criminal offences committed by individuals.

The maximum fine for companies responsible for the most serious criminal offences would be doubled from €25 million to €50 million under amendments to the law governing the liability of legal entities.

The wider legislative package also includes amendments to the Companies Act to implement an EU directive due to be transposed by 5 December 2026.

One of the changes concerns shares with multiple voting rights, allowing certain shares to carry more votes than others for the same proportion of a company’s share capital.

The measure is intended to give businesses additional financing options, reduce reliance on traditional bank financing and create further opportunities for investment.

Issuing such shares would require the approval of all affected shareholders. Their multiple-voting rights would be limited to 10 years, with the possibility of a further five-year extension.

Wider criminal justice reform

The proposed package is part of a broader reform of Croatia’s criminal justice system.

Further amendments are expected to cover the enforcement of prison sentences, juvenile courts, probation and criminal procedure, alongside new legislation from the Health Ministry.

The government says the reforms combine the implementation of European legal requirements with domestic analysis aimed at strengthening the justice system.

If adopted by the Croatian Parliament, the changes would give Croatian courts a wider range of penalties and measures when dealing with the most serious criminal offences.