by croatiaweek
August 31, 2025
in
Dubrovnik
Mayor of Dubrovnik and Member of Parliament, Mato Franković, has presented a set of proposed amendments to Croatia’s road transport legislation aimed at tightening regulation of the taxi industry.
The proposals have been sent to Deputy Prime Ministers Oleg Butković, Minister of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure, and Davor Božinović, Minister of the Interior, with the goal of being introduced into parliamentary procedure.
Franković explained that the move comes in response to growing problems caused by unlicensed drivers and digital platforms such as Uber and Bolt.
“We are witnessing situations where taxi services are carried out by people without the necessary permits, and the biggest problems arise from so-called aggregators. Since digital platforms have not shown willingness to cooperate in introducing order, I decided to propose legal amendments that will clearly define the rules and ensure maximum control in taxi transport,” Franković said.
Key proposed changes
Vehicle cards linked to drivers – each taxi would be tied to a single driver, reducing opportunities for manipulation. Taxi services would also need to be officially recorded in the vehicle’s registration documents.
Limits on fleet size – local authorities would be given the power to set the maximum number of vehicles a company can register. In Dubrovnik, for example, a rule could be introduced allowing each operator to register just one vehicle, preventing large-scale manipulation.
County-level licensing – permits would only be issued within the county where a company is registered, ending the practice of “taxi nomads” who move between counties during the tourist season.
Stricter oversight for digital platforms – companies such as Uber and Bolt would be legally obliged to verify and register all drivers and vehicles before they can operate, ensuring transparency and passenger protection.
Special licence plates and capped fares – taxis would carry unique plates, and the state would set a maximum price per kilometre so passengers know the cost in advance.
Stronger penalties – new offences would be introduced for both drivers and companies, with fines also applying to digital platforms that fail to comply with the law.
Protecting both users and lawful drivers
Franković stressed that the proposals are designed not only to safeguard passengers but also to support drivers who already operate legally and transparently.
“We want to protect service users, but also all taxi drivers who work in accordance with the law. This proposal is in the interest of citizens, visitors, and everyone engaged in the taxi business in a transparent way,” he concluded.