2025 may well be remembered as Year Zero for the Serbian telecommunications market – and with good reason.  It marked the acquisition and effective split of Serbia Broadband (SBB), the second-largest player in Serbia’s cable and broadband market, by Telekom Srbija (TS) and Yettel (e&/PPF Telecom Group).

Gecic Law, working with CMS, has advised the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Enterprise Expansion Fund II on a EUR 9.1 million loan to Meter & Control. Perovic Law reportedly advised Meter & Control.

Serbia has taken a decisive step toward strengthening corporate transparency and aligning with international standards in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing. The recently adopted Central Records of Ultimate Beneficial Owners Act (“UBO Act”) has become applicable as of October 1, 2025 introducing a range of new obligations for companies and other registered entities.

In Serbia’s real estate market, cultural tradition, financial caution, and limited alternatives intersect to create a unique investment landscape. NKO Partners Partner Branko Jankovic, BDK Advokati Partner Jelena Hrle, Bojovic Attorneys at Law Partner Marija Bojovic, Radovanovic Stojanovic & Partners Partner Milorad Gajic, and Gecic Law Partner Miodrag Jevtic discuss the enduring preference for property as a default investment, the historical experiences that continue to shape investor behavior, and the broader economic and geopolitical factors contributing to rising property prices across the country.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, presided over by Judge Amit Mehta, issued a ruling in 2024 in the proceedings United States v. Google and State of Colorado v. Google (consolidated during the pretrial phase), stating: “Google is a monopolist, and it has acted as one to maintain its monopoly.”

Gecic Law has opened up an office in Brussels under the helm of Partner Anne MacGregor.

Gecic Law has successfully represented Arena Channels Group, alongside BH Telecom and Mtel Banja Luka, in an antitrust dispute before the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

Gecic Law has launched a Sports Law practice group led by Senior Associate Vuk Lekovic.

On February 19, 2025, CEE Legal Matters reported that Gecic Law advised on Telekom Srbija's acquisition of NetTV Plus, Total TV operations in Serbia and North Macedonia, and Western Balkans Sport Klub rights licenses from United Group.​ The transaction with a combined enterprise value of EUR 1.5 billion is one of the largest telecom sector deals in Serbia and the broader Balkans region’s history. With the deal recently closed after securing merger clearances in four jurisdictions (Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and North Macedonia), Gecic Law Partners Bogdan Gecic, Ognjen Colic, and Miodrag Jevtic take a closer look at the deal.

Gecic Law has appointed Jelena Bjelanovic as its new Head of Finance and a member of the firm’s Executive Management Committee.

The European Commission has introduced a new legislative package aimed at simplifying sustainability and investment regulations. In the latest Competitiveness Compass we recently covered, the Commission outlined its strategy to enhance the EU’s economic prosperity and competitiveness. Known as Omnibus I and Omnibus II, these reforms are designed to cut administrative burdens, enhance business competitiveness, and maintain the EU’s commitment to sustainability goals. The key areas affected include the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), and the InvestEU Regulation. By streamlining compliance, the EU hopes to make regulatory obligations more manageable while still upholding environmental and social governance (ESG) objectives.

Gecic Law, working with Clifford Chance, has advised Telekom Srbija on its acquisition of Eon TV International from United Group as part of a deal that also saw United Group sell SBB Belgrade to e& PPF Telecom Group. Kinstellar, working with Sullivan & Cromwell, advised e& PPF Telecom Group. Moravcevic Vojnovic and partners in cooperation with Schoenherr, working with Kirkland & Ellis, advised United Group.

Non-competition (non-compete) clauses came into the spotlight this year as the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) decided to impose a broad ban on their use. The underlying motive for this is the perception that the non-compete clauses, in the words of FTC Chair Lina Khan, keep wages low, suppress new ideas, and rob the American economy of dynamism, including from the more than 8,500 new start-ups that would be created a year once non-competes are banned. However, this rule quickly faced challenges, including a lawsuit from the US Chamber of Commerce, which argued that it was unfounded and that the FTC exceeded its authority.

To bolster Europe’s clean energy transition, the European Commission has recently announced a EUR 4.6 billion investment.  This funding aims to advance net-zero technologies, electric vehicle (EV) battery cell manufacturing, and renewable hydrogen production.  This initiative marks a pivotal step in the EU’s commitment to achieving climate neutrality by 2050.

The Serbian Parliament has passed the amendments to the Energy Act, introducing significant reforms to the nation’s energy policy – a landmark change is lifting the long-standing moratorium on nuclear power plant construction, which has been in place since 1989 following the Chernobyl disaster. The updated legislation also includes broader measures aimed at modernizing Serbia’s energy sector.

The European Commission recently launched the consultation phase on two essential draft regulations to strengthen the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) regulation’s operational structure. These include the draft Implementing Regulation for Authorized Declarants and creating a comprehensive CBAM registry. Stakeholders can submit feedback until November 28, 2024. These regulations clarify key aspects of the definitive CBAM implementation, set to begin on January 1, 2026.

King & Spalding has advised the syndicate of joint lead managers on Telekom Srbija Beograd’s USD 900 million senior notes offering. Gecic Law, working with Clifford Chance, advised Telekom Srbija.

Serbia's recent economic growth is driven by foreign direct investment, infrastructure projects, and advancements in several sectors according to Gecic Law Partner Miodrag Jevtic.