Croatia Moves to Protect Households and Businesses as Energy Prices Rise

Zagreb, September Croatia is preparing additional measures to protect households and businesses from elevated energy costs as international energy markets remain volatile.

The Croatian government has placed energy-price stability among its current priorities. A package approved earlier this month includes measures aimed at stabilising the domestic energy market, subsidising part of household gas costs and extending support for vulnerable energy consumers.

The measures come as European countries continue to face uncertainty in global oil and gas markets. The European Commission has noted that geopolitical tensions have increased the risk of supply disruptions and price volatility, while Croatia has already introduced fiscal measures to reduce the impact of higher energy prices on households and businesses.

Croatia’s government is also working on legislation related to energy resources. The agenda for the September 17 cabinet meeting includes a final draft law concerning the exploration and exploitation of energy-related geological resources, alongside measures connected with EU rules on deforestation and the country’s 2026 budget implementation.

The energy debate comes at a time when Croatia is also dealing with environmental and infrastructure challenges. The government has been responding to concerns over illegally dumped waste in the Gospić area and has proposed amendments to strengthen monitoring, traceability and penalties for illegal waste management.

Tourism and the Adriatic coast remain important parts of Croatia’s economy, while recent wildfires, including the major blaze on Brač earlier in September, have highlighted continuing seasonal risks. The Brač fire led to large-scale evacuations and injuries during emergency operations.

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković has also stressed the importance of future European Union funding for Croatia, particularly agricultural and cohesion funding, as the country continues its economic development and infrastructure investment.

Croatia is therefore entering the autumn period with energy affordability, environmental management and access to European investment among the key issues shaping its economic and policy agenda.