In July 2025, North Macedonia adopted a new Law on Electronic Communications, replacing the 2014 legislation and laying the foundation for a modern digital framework. The new law aligns the national regulatory environment with key European Union instruments, including Directive (EU) 2018/1972 establishing the European Electronic Communications Code (CELEX No. 32018L1972) and Regulation (EU) 2024/1309 on measures to reduce the cost of deploying gigabit electronic communications networks (CELEX No. 32024R1309). It introduces a series of important reforms aimed at strengthening consumer rights, fostering market competition, and facilitating the rollout of next-generation infrastructure, including 5G networks.

Lazarov has advised PHCANN International on the acquisition and development of a 2.4-megawatt photovoltaic project in North Macedonia.

The Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia has adopted a new Law on Control of Industrial Emissions (“Law”), as an important step towards harmonisation of national legislation with European Union standards in the field of environmental protection.

October is recognized globally as Domestic Violence Awareness Month—a time to acknowledge and raise awareness about the prevalence and impact of domestic violence on individuals, families, and communities. First declared in 1989 as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, October is a call to speak out, take action, and reflect on both the legal commitments and the institutional responsibilities that the Republic of North Macedonia has undertaken—and, crucially, what has or has not been effectively implemented.

In North Macedonia, energy and infrastructure are dominant topics, with a new roadmap, looming deadlines, and a billion-euro project finally pushing long-stalled developments forward, according to Apostolska Aleksandrovski & Partners Partner Igor Aleksandrovski.

The Ministry of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources of North Macedonia (“Ministry”) has called for submission of initiatives to include energy projects in the 2026 Annual Plan for Construction of Energy Facilities for Production of Electric and Heat Energy and Storage of Electrical Energy (“Annual Plan”), implementing the new regulatory framework introduced by the recently enacted Energy Law.

The Macedonian government is drafting a new law to support individual investors, known as business angels, by formally defining their role and introducing tax incentives for their investments in startups. The regulation seeks to provide greater legal certainty, stimulate private investments, and encourage innovation-driven growth that would lead to new jobs and stronger competitiveness.

Affiliate marketing is a structured system, where businesses (advertisers) collaborate with individual marketers (affiliates), for the purpose of promoting goods and services. A legitimate business model that enables the affiliates, who act as a middleman, to earn commission by generating sales, leads or traffic for the advertisers.

In The Debrief, our Practice Leaders across CEE share updates on recent and upcoming legislation, consider the impact of recent court decisions, showcase landmark projects, and keep our readers apprised of the latest developments impacting their respective practice areas.

As of January 1, 2024, foreign companies without a physical presence in North Macedonia must appoint a tax representative when performing taxable transactions with local non-taxpayers. This requirement, established under the Law on Value Added Tax of North Macedonia (VAT Law), stands regardless of whether the general VAT registration threshold of MKD 2 million is achieved.

CMS, working with Ashurst, has advised Renalfa IPP on the development of its EUR 1.2 billion investment program in photovoltaic, battery electricity storage systems, and wind projects across Bulgaria, Hungary, North Macedonia, and Romania. The firm also advised on securing a EUR 315 million club loan facility led by the EBRD and backed by an InvestEU loss guarantee. DGKV, and reportedly A&O Sherman and PHH, advised the lenders.

In The Debrief, our Practice Leaders across CEE share updates on recent and upcoming legislation, consider the impact of recent court decisions, showcase landmark projects, and keep our readers apprised of the latest developments impacting their respective practice areas.

On 27 June 2025, the Assembly of North Macedonia adopted a new Electronic Communications Act (ECA). This landmark legislation represents a comprehensive overhaul of the country's digital regulatory framework, aligning it with the European Electronic Communications Code (Directive 2018/1972) (the "Directive") and the Gigabit Infrastructure Act (Regulation 2024/1309) (the "Regulation").

In recent months, North Macedonia has introduced key legislative reforms in digital transformation, construction, energy, and the judiciary to support its economic and institutional development, according to Law Office Emil Miftari Attorney at Law Elena Nikodinovska Miftari.

With the adoption of a new legislative solution in the Republic of North Macedonia, introduced through the Law on Labour Engagement of Persons, which shall enter into force on 1 January 2026, a systemic and coherent framework will be established for the regulation of temporary and seasonal labour engagement. The primary objective of this law is to formalize a segment of the labour market that, to date, has remained largely unregulated or informal, with particular focus placed on three sectors: agriculture, hospitality, and domestic services.

Karanovic & Partners has advised Paysera North Macedonia on obtaining an Electronic Money Institution license.

Foreign direct investment in North Macedonia has surged in recent years, with 2024 marking a particularly strong period for inflows, despite global uncertainties such as supply-chain disruptions and regional economic slowdowns, according to Law Office Lazarov Managing Partner Dragan Lazarov and Cakmakova Advocates Junior Partner Vladimir Bocevski.

IT Labs Group General Counsel and DPO Ana Zakovska discusses her transition from private practice to in-house roles in the ICT sector, the evolving nature of legal work, and how privacy and AI are shaping the industry.