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Navigating NIS 2: How businesses can achieve cybersecurity compliance across the EU
The NIS 2 Directive is the European Union’s cybersecurity framework that requires considerable efforts by companies in sectors like energy, transportation, life sciences and digital infrastructure to establish the required compliance. The directive mandates that the companies within the scope of NIS 2 implement a large number of technical and organizational measures to manage cybersecurity risks and puts cybersecurity as a top management responsibility. EU Member States must transpose the NIS 2 Directive into their national acts of law. Although a number Member States are delayed in this legislative process, other jurisdictions are already well past requiring registration and implementation of cybersecurity risk management.
The automotive industry is rapidly transforming through digital technologies
This shift introduces complex legal and compliance challenges under EU law, particularly around data collection, processing, and sharing. Key frameworks such as the GDPR and ePrivacy Directive govern issues like user consent, data transparency, access, and deletion. Manufacturers must embed privacy by design and strengthen cybersecurity. How does the GDPR impact data collection in infotainment systems? Infotainment, telematics, and autonomous features gather vast user data - raising critical questions of control, purpose, and protection. The Data Act grants users broader rights to access and share vehicle data, while public safety tools like eCall must still ensure compliance with data
The European Accessibility Act: Compliance or consequences? Is your business prepared?
The European Accessibility Act (Directive (EU) 2019/882) (“EAA”) represents a significant shift in the regulatory landscape for private sector businesses across the European Union. Introduced to harmonise accessibility requirements for key products and services, the EAA is designed to improve access for persons with disabilities and foster a more inclusive internal market. With its full application date set for 28 June 2025, business entities that have not yet assessed their compliance posture face growing legal, operational, and reputational risks. The EAA expands beyond earlier public sector-focused legislation and applies to a wide range of industries—from tech to banking, telecoms, and e-commerce—making timely
Amendment to the Slovak Act on Information Technologies in Public Administration
The Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization of the Slovak Republic has submitted a proposal to amend the Act on Information Technologies in Public Administration. Its aim is to strengthen the management of the state's digital assets, increase cybersecurity resilience, and introduce clear rules for the use of artificial intelligence in public administration. From the state’s perspective, this is an ambitious reform, but for IT solution suppliers, it introduces numerous negative consequences that fundamentally change the existing contractual practices and business environment. Below is a summary of the key changes and their practical impacts on businesses. 1. Special copyright regime for public
EUIPO offers SMEs trade marksand designs grants of up to EUR 1,350 again in 2025
The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has launched the 2025 SME Fund, offering up to 75% savings on, among others, trademark and design application fees, as well as pre-diagnostic IP services. Since 2021, more than 72,000 businesses have benefited from the fund. This year with a budget of over EUR 18 million, this initiative will help startups, videogame studios, and other small businesses, regardless of industry, to strengthen their Intellectual Property portfolios. Applications are open from 3 February to 5 December 2025 — but remember: it is on a first-come, first-served basis! Secure your IP portfolio! Read more in our overview below by Natalia Kirichenko, Partner
TMT Legal Update
Our TMT Legal Update provides insights from our law experts and aims to keep you regularly up to date with sector news, trends and legislation in the Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia regions. This issue covers key updates from our jurisdictions from the past few months. REGIONAL Implementation status of certain EU regulations Technology 01. New development regarding NIS 2 Directive implementation in various Kinstellar jurisdictions The EU's NIS2 Directive is a cybersecurity act aimed at improving overall cybersecurity in the EU. Member States must implement it by 17 October 2024. Below we provide
Kinstellar advises SAMCO Aircraft Maintenance on the acquisition of Austrian Airlines Technik – Bratislava
Kinstellar has successfully advised the Dutch aircraft maintenance provider SAMCO Aircraft Maintenance (SAMCO) on the acquisition of Austrian Airlines Technik – Bratislava (ATB). Located at the Maastricht Airport in the Netherlands, SAMCO provides a wide range of aircraft maintenance activities—from heavy base-maintenance checks, line-maintenance, logistic support, asset and maintenance management to EASA Part 21 approved design changes. With the acquisition of ATB, SAMCO increases its footprint significantly. ATB, located in Bratislava, Slovakia, is fully equipped to perform all base maintenance services with close to 250 staff. With this strategic acquisition, SAMCO creates five additional lines for Embraer
EUIPO offers SMEs trade mark and design grants of up to EUR 1,350 again in 2024, available also for Ukrainian SMEs
The European Commission and European Intellectual Property Office (“EUIPO”) have once again launched a small and medium-sized business fund (“SME Fund”) to provide reimbursement for trade mark and design application fees and pre-diagnostic services. The 2024 SME Fund is the third and last call of this initiative, following the 2022 and 2023 SME Funds. The grant scheme, designed to encourage SMEs to expand their intellectual property (“IP”) portfolios, has a budget of more than EUR 21 million, available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The submission period for applications runs from 22 January to 6 December 2024. Read more in the brochure below: DOWNLOAD IN ENGLISH In case of
Kinstellar appoints new Sector and Service Line Heads and Head of German Desk
Kinstellar supports professional growth by offering a broad range of career development opportunities for our team, including the role of sector/service line head or co-head. We provide growth opportunities to all of our talented lawyers with the relevant experience and an outstanding track record. We are delighted to announce the following appointments: Csilla Andrékó, Partner in our Budapest office, is the Co-Head of the firm-wide Banking & Finance Service Line. Csilla is one of the founders of the Firm and the former Managing Partner of the Budapest office. Csilla also served as the head of the regional Banking & Finance and Restructuring & Insolvency Service Lines. She retired from active practice
Class actions to protect collective interests of consumers in Slovakia
The new Act on Actions for the Protection of the Collective Interests of Consumers and on Amendments and Additions to Certain Acts (the "Act") was adopted by the Slovak Parliament on 21 June 2023 and will enter into force on 25 July 2023, with the exception of some special and temporary provisions, which enter into force on the date of the Act’s publication in the Collection of Legislative Acts. The Act, which transposes the Representative Actions Directive (EU) 2020/1828, introduces a new legal proceeding—class actions—into Slovak legislation. The most significant elements of the new Act include: The introduction of two types of actions / proceedings available under the Act: a proceeding
Slovakia preparing new Consumer Protection Act: Here's what you should know
Companies operating in Slovakia are facing new compliance obligations, as the government has recently proposed a comprehensive consumer protection act (“New Law”) for parliamentary debate. One of the main reasons for introducing the New Law is to transpose the so-called New Deal for Consumers introduced by the European Commission, consisting of three directives—the Omnibus Directive[1], the Sale of Goods Directive[2] and the Digital Content Directive[3]. The New Law is expected to replace existing consumer protection legislation in Slovakia. It aims to strengthen the rights of consumers, providing them with greater protection against unfair business practices, such as deceptive advertising and hidden costs. As a result
Loot boxes – still a mystery in CEE?
The recent resolution of the European Parliament on video games calls on the European Commission to take the necessary steps to bring about a European approach to loot boxes which could lead to more restrictive regulation. Kinstellar’s TMT team looked into the national framework for loot boxes in Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Turkey, Ukraine to conclude that, while no specific local laws exist, the developments around gambling regulation should be monitored, as loot boxes have already been discussed in the context of national rules on gambling in some countries. Click on this link or the image below to read an overview prepared by our TMT experts in each jurisdiction.