- Published: 05.09.2025.
Minister Bačić presented drafts of new Physical Planning Act, Building Act and Act on Energy Efficiency in Building Construction
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In the National and University Library (NSK) in Zagreb, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Branko Bačić presented draft proposals of the Physical Planning Act, the Building Act and the Act on Energy Efficiency in Building Construction, open for public consultation since September 4, to relevant chambers and social partners. After the presentation, a discussion followed.
Minister Bačić stated that the new acts would simplify the procedures, improve transparency, accelerate business processes. He emphasised that the new acts are in line with the goals of the National Housing Policy Plan until 2030 - affordable and sustainable housing and managing space for housing purposes. The acts are expected to be adopted by the end of the year.Physical Planning Act
“The new Act introduces digital development of spatial plans in the ePlans application, which will standardise the development methodology across Croatia, while also helping both the professionals and users of the space,” Minister Bačić pointed out. It also introduces the obligation to develop expert surveys; previously non-mandatory but essential for infrastructure and nature projects.
Moreover, it envisages greater jurisdiction of local self-government units, the introduction of hybrid physical planning models (urban and infrastructural projects), clear timeframes and requirements of urban and architectural tenders and the improvement of maritime domain spatial planning.
“Considering the devastation and threats to maritime domain, it is important to preserve the coast, which represents Croatian space of best quality - it is in the state’s interest to conserve it,” the Minister said and added that the law clearly defines construction restrictions and prohibited projects in specific zones and at specific distances from the coast.
One of the significant novelties is urban land consolidation - a spatial planning instrument used to convert existing small and irregularly-shaped cadastral plots to regularly-shaped building plots, which enables a more efficient use of building land. The new Act will also regulate and prevent the unnecessary expansion of building areas, all for the purpose of space conservation.
The President of the Croatian Chamber of Architects Rajka Bunjevac pointed out that the propositions the professionals had put forward for years were recognised and that collaboration with the Ministry developed in the right direction. She emphasised that good communication was established, numerous professional ideas accepted, together with a large number of the ten points of architectural profession for the new spatial planning system.
Another important novelty is the introduction of special affordable housing zones, which will be planned separately and for which projects will be realised faster based on a location permit, in areas determined by law.
As an example and a precursor of such a model, the Minister mentioned the project of expanding the housing stock in Sisak-Moslavina County with 59 new multiapartment blocks. This model
proves that faster and more efficient realisation of affordable housing is possible because there are three new settlements and 32 completed multiapartment blocks built in a short timeframe.
Building Act
With the aim of establishing clearer and more efficient rules on construction and energy efficiency in building construction, and since the existing Building Act thoroughly addresses only one of the fundamental construction requirements, the new legislative framework is divided into two acts: the Building Act and the Act on Energy Efficiency in Building Construction.
The purpose of the new Building Act is to increase efficiency and transparency of the construction system. It envisages new construction work classification, the introduction of the BIM model and a greater role of designers who obtain the connection requirements and special requirements themselves through the ePermit system. The new legal solution also suggests the introduction of the obligation to conduct an inspection prior to issuing a building permit, and the investor who initiates construction prior to issuing the permit is obliged to pay a special fee. Another novelty is the obligation to develop a maintenance plan for buildings and other construction works prior to issuing a use permit.
“It is important to meet the goals of the National Housing Policy Plan through accelerating the procedure of issuing building permits. We want investors to have a straightforward procedure and documentation, while we prescribe the requirements and basic parameters for the construction of multiapartment blocks,” Minister Bačić said.
Nina Dražin Lovrec, the President of the Croatian Chamber of Civil Engineers, welcomed the act separation because it would significantly simplify the procedures involving less-complex construction works. She pointed out that most of the remarks coming from the Chamber were recognised and she also welcomed the introduction of the BIM model - but noted the fact its implementation requires substantial resources and time, particularly for small and medium-sized entrepreneurs.
Act on Energy Efficiency in Building Construction
For the first time, this Act consolidates and regulates all the provisions referring to energy efficiency in building construction, including the improvement of energy properties of buildings and the alignment with fundamental professional standards and sustainability principles.
“As an EU Member State, we are obliged to establish a stock of zero-emission buildings by 2050, and our legal solutions must be in line with the EU directive,” Minister Bačić said. He added that, by 2028, all buildings owned by public bodies would be required to be zero-emission buildings, which would also apply to all new buildings by 2030.
Zoran Veršić from the Croatian Chamber of Architects pointed out that this act transposes European norms and that a lasting collaboration with the Ministry and the Directorate for Energy Efficiency was continuous and successful.
Maja Pokrovac from Renewable Energy Sources of Croatia (OIEH) highlighted how pleased she is that propositions related to exploitation fields and agrivoltaic measures are incorporated into the law.
“Croatia is the third largest country in Europe by agricultural land area, which is strongly affected by climate change and droughts. We are glad the Ministry recognises that the solar transition also needs to be as simple and available as possible,” she said.
Minister Bačić concluded by stating he is pleased with the ongoing collaboration with the professional sector, emphasising that, alongside preserving professional standards, it is equally important to ensure project realisation. He announced a new set of laws planned to be adopted in the Ministry’s upcoming legislative agenda.
Draft proposals of the acts are available at the eConsultation portal, and public consultation is open until October 4, 2025.