The Croatian Parliament unanimously passed the new Consumer Credit Act on July 15, 2026. After the summer break, most rules take effect on November 20, 2026. Here is a complete overview — what changes for citizens, banks, retailers, and anyone who ever takes out a loan, goes into overdraft, or buys on installments.
Why a new law?
Croatia has transposed the EU Directive CCD 2 (Consumer Credit Directive 2) into national legislation, merging two existing laws — the Consumer Credit Act and the Residential Consumer Credit Act — into a single legal act.
The goal: stronger consumer protection, greater transparency, and more responsible lending.
Croatian consumers owe a total of just over 3 billion euros, which was an additional signal that the market needs better regulation.
Timeline: when does what take effect?
| Phase | Date | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | November 20, 2026 | Main rules — most of the 17 changes |
| 2. | June 1, 2027 | Licensing and compliance for previously unregulated lenders |
| 3. | January 1, 2028 | Rules for card installment payments and BNPL (“buy now, pay later”) |
17 key changes
1. ⛔ Banks can no longer unilaterally increase your overdraft
Lenders cannot unilaterally introduce or increase permitted or tacit overdrafts on current accounts. The same applies to credit cards — any limit increase requires your explicit consent.
2. 📱 “Interest-free” loans now covered
Protection extends to interest-free loans, short-term loans up to 3 months (with a fee of up to €3.98), and permitted overdrafts. The previous upper limit of €132,722.81 is removed.
3. ⚠️ Warning on every advertisement
Every loan advertisement must contain a clearly visible warning: “Caution! Borrowing is not free.”
4. 🚫 Misleading messages banned
It is prohibited to suggest that a loan improves financial situation, replaces savings, raises living standards, or that an unpaid loan does not affect new applications.
5. ✅ No more hidden pre-checked boxes
Lenders cannot assume your consent through pre-checked boxes. They cannot approve a loan or additional service without your explicit request.
6. 🔍 Stricter creditworthiness assessment
Banks may approve a loan only if the assessment shows you can repay it. Social media data and special categories of data (health status, etc.) cannot be used.
7. 🤖 AI does not decide alone
If the assessment is based on automated processing, you have the right to a human review, a clear explanation of the logic and risks, and the right to appeal a rejection.
8. ❤️ “Right to be forgotten” for cancer survivors
For insurance policies tied to a loan, insurers cannot use cancer diagnosis data after 10 years from the completion of treatment. This is huge news for thousands of citizens who had been discriminated against when applying for loans.
9. 🏦 Free choice of insurance
Banks cannot condition a loan on purchasing their insurance policy. If they require insurance, they must accept a policy from another provider offering equivalent protection. You have at least 3 days to compare offers.
10. 💰 Banks cannot force you to transfer your salary
Tying practices are banned — banks cannot require you to open an account or transfer your salary with them as a condition for a loan. They can still offer a better rate, but must notify you at least 15 days in advance if the benefit ends.
11. 📄 Stronger withdrawal rights
14 days to withdraw without giving a reason, 12 months and 14 days if you did not receive all terms, unlimited if not informed of withdrawal rights. For housing loans: banks must give at least 15 days for consideration.
12. 💵 Cheaper early repayment
You have the right to a proportional reduction of total costs. Fee (fixed-rate only): max 1% if >1 year remaining, max 0.5% if ≤1 year. No fee if you repay less than €10,000 in 12 months. For housing loans — no fee at all.
13. 🔄 Exit without fee when rates rise
If the bank raises the variable interest rate, you have 3 months to repay early without any fee.
14. 📋 No processing fee for housing loans
Processing and approval fees for housing loans are banned. After the contract is signed, banks generally cannot introduce new or increase existing fees.
15. 📊 Interest rate caps remain
Consumer loans: APR cannot exceed the statutory default interest rate + 2 percentage points. Housing loans: APR cannot exceed the statutory default interest rate.
16. 🆓 FINA introduces free debt counseling
If you have difficulty repaying, the lender must refer you to independent debt counseling. FINA will provide it for free.
17. 📬 Annual loan statement
Lenders must send you a free loan status statement at least once a year (by March 31). This applies to co-debtors and guarantors as well.
Who will supervise all this?
CNB (HNB) takes over licensing and supervision of lenders not already regulated. Lenders not previously covered must obtain a license by August 1, 2027. HANFA retains supervision over leasing companies and insurers.
What does this mean for you?
If you plan to take out a loan, wait until November. The new rules are much more favorable for consumers: banks cannot trick you with hidden fees, you will have more time to consider offers, early repayment will be cheaper, and if you have survived cancer — you will no longer be discriminated against.
For existing loans, old rules mostly apply, except for APR calculation and interest rate caps.
This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. For specific situations, we recommend consulting a lawyer or financial advisor.