Croatian telecom operators readying for new consumer credit law requirements

The Croatian government has forwarded a draft Consumer Credit Law to Parliament, set to take effect on 20 November, with provisions affecting telecom operators coming into force on 1 June 2027. Under the bill, the three largest telecoms – HT, A1 and Telemach – must obtain a creditor licence and assess the creditworthiness of customers before selling devices on installment.

HT said it “will align its business with all legal requirements, while striving to keep device‑on‑installment purchases simple, transparent and accessible”. A1 added that it will “ensure minimal impact on the user experience” while complying with the new obligations. Telemach warned that “telecom operators are not financial institutions” and expressed uncertainty about the full scope of the duties and the adequacy of the implementation timeline.

All three operators indicated support for the law’s consumer‑protection goals but said it is too early to gauge the exact impact on operations and customer relations. They also noted that existing telecom and consumer‑protection regulations already cover many aspects of the market, and the added layer could increase complexity for an already heavily regulated sector.