Croatia unveils new transport reforms with rail safety law and Crolibertas electronic tolling system

ZAGREB, 14 July 2026 – Croatia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure, Oleg Butković, has presented a draft law and nine new regulations aimed at modernising the country’s transport, communications and inland navigation sectors.

The package includes measures covering railway safety, road transport infrastructure, electronic communications and inland waterways, with many of the changes designed to align Croatia’s legislation with European Union rules.

A key proposal is the Draft Law on the Safety and Interoperability of the Railway System, which sets out conditions for the safe management and operation of rail transport while strengthening the interoperability of Croatia’s railway network with the wider EU system.

The proposed law applies to the entire railway system and its structural and operational subsystems. It aims to further improve railway safety, clearly define the responsibilities of all parties involved and ensure compliance with EU legislation.

The Government also presented amendments to the Regulation on the Register of Identification Codes and Alternative Fuel Infrastructure, bringing Croatia’s framework into line with EU rules. The amendments regulate how the register is established and maintained, the allocation of identification codes and the availability of information to users, improving transparency, standardisation and interoperability.

Four additional regulations were introduced as part of preparations for Croatia’s future Electronic Toll Collection System (ESNC). These are the first implementing regulations under the Toll Collection Act, which comes into force on 1 January 2026. A total of 13 regulations will be required to fully implement the new system.

One regulation officially establishes the name and visual identity of Croatia’s new electronic toll collection system, which will operate under the name CROLIBERTAS.

Other regulations set out rules for automated access to vehicle and user records, information exchange on unpaid tolls, cross-border cooperation with European systems, registration procedures for providers of the European Electronic Toll Service (EETS), and the methodology for calculating provider fees to ensure transparent and consistent application of the rules.

In the field of electronic communications, two regulations align Croatia’s national framework with EU technical requirements for electrical, radio and other technical equipment. They define conditions for placing equipment on the Croatian market, conformity assessment procedures, product marking and market surveillance.

The Government also presented two regulations covering inland navigation. One updates rules governing vessel crews and floating structures, including professional qualification requirements and safety standards in line with EU legislation.

The second regulation strengthens navigation rules on Croatia’s inland waterways by introducing updated safety requirements, measures to prevent water pollution and the use of modern navigation and information systems. It also introduces a mandatory Automatic Identification System (AIS) for all vessels, aimed at improving navigation safety and traffic management on inland waterways.

The proposals were presented at a press conference attended by Minister Butković, State Secretary Žarko Tušek and senior officials from the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure.