Croatia proposes life imprisonment and a new crime of ecocide

The Government of Croatia has sent a package of criminal law amendments to the Croatian Parliament that would introduce life imprisonment for the first time, add new offences targeting environmental harm and animal cruelty, and raise penalties across multiple offences.

Key changes and timetable

Under the proposed measures, from 1 January 2027 courts would be authorised to hand down life sentences for 15 of the most serious crimes that are currently punishable by long-term imprisonment. The government also proposes removing the statute of limitations for any offence for which long-term or life imprisonment may be imposed.

The reform package creates a new grave criminal offence of ecocide, defined to apply where actions cause catastrophic, long-lasting and irreversible damage to air, water, soil and the ecosystem as a whole. Lawmakers say the change is intended to close gaps in legal protection for the environment.

In addition to introducing ecocide, the amendments expand criminal provisions related to environmental protection and animal cruelty and aim to significantly increase penalties for a range of offences. Exact penalty levels will be set out in the draft text submitted to parliament.

The government has forwarded the bill to parliament for consideration and debate; if approved, the new rules would take effect on 1 January 2027. The proposal represents a major overhaul of Croatia's criminal code with an explicit emphasis on environmental crimes and harsher punishments for severe offences.

Photo: press material from the event