Central Europe Weekly Roundup

Poland

3,000 New Names Added to the Database of Jews Rescued by Polish Diplomats

The Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., has added 3,000 new names to its database of Jews who were saved during World War II through false documents issued by Polish diplomats. The database, named the ?ado? List after the then-Polish ambassador to Switzerland, includes individuals who were provided with citizenship documents from Latin American countries. Between 25% and 45% of those on the list ultimately survived the Holocaust.

Czech Republic

RegioJet Ranks Third Among European Rail Passenger Operators

The Czech private company RegioJet has ranked third in a list of European rail passenger operators compiled by the non-governmental organization Transport & Environment (T&E). The ranking, based on eight criteria—including pricing, punctuality, night services, and compensation for delays—placed Italy's Trenitalia in first, followed by Switzerland's SBB. RegioJet outperformed Austria's ?BB to secure third place, while Eurostar came in last. (Hungary’s MáV ranked in the lower-middle section, but notably scored zero points in the reliability category.)

This Will Be the Last New Year’s Eve Before Firework Regulations Tighten

New Year’s Eve is traditionally a peak season for fireworks and pyrotechnics, but debates around their safety often intensify during this time. Starting next year, the government, particularly the Ministry of Industry and Trade, will tighten regulations on the sale of fireworks. From 2025 onward, only the lowest-risk F1 category fireworks will be available to private individuals without special permits. This year, F3 category products are still freely purchasable.

Slovakia

Direct Rail Connection Between Bratislava and Nitra to Launch Mid-December

Beginning December 15, the Slovak State Railways (?SSK) will introduce a direct rail line between the Slovak capital and Nitra. The 97-kilometer journey will take approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. The city of Nitra, with a population of 78,000 in western Slovakia, has long faced disadvantages due to poor transport connections.

Selective Collection of Textile Waste to Become Mandatory in Slovakia Starting January

From January onward, Slovakia will expand its waste collection system to include textiles. Unused clothing and textile waste will need to be deposited in new black bins. However, implementation will vary by locality. A challenge remains in defining precisely what constitutes textile waste, which will need to be clarified through legislation.

Legendary Textile Factory Makyta Closes After 80 Years

The Makyta textile factory in Púchov, located in northwestern Slovakia, will close its doors. Established in 1944, the factory produced clothing for all of Czechoslovakia during the communist era. After the transition to a market economy, the company focused on exports but struggled to compete with cheaper manufacturers from East Asia. The factory’s closure will affect 125 employees, many of whom have spent their entire careers there.

Romania

88% of Romanian Households Have Internet Access

According to data published Monday by the National Institute of Statistics (NIS), 88.6% of Romanian households have internet access, representing a 2.9 percentage point increase from the previous year. In urban areas, the internet penetration rate stands at 92.5%, while in rural areas it is 83.2%. Nevertheless, the data indicates that more than 800,000 Romanians aged 16 and older have never used the internet.

Cyberattack Targets Romanian Electricity Provider Electrica

The National Cybersecurity Directorate confirmed that Electrica, a major electricity provider and distributor in Romania, was the target of a cyberattack. The attack did not compromise the critical infrastructure of the company, which supplies energy to 4 million consumers, and no service disruptions were reported.

Bulgaria

Over 60% of Bulgarians Aged 60–64 Are Employed

A growing proportion of Bulgarians over the age of 60 remain in the workforce. According to a recent Allianz Trade report, more than 60% of Bulgarians aged 60–64 are active workers, surpassing the European average of 53%. Bulgaria is addressing its labor shortage by retaining older generations in the workforce rather than increasing migration. Currently, only 2.9% of the Bulgarian labor force is foreign-born.

Croatia

Employment Growth Expected in Croatia Next Year

The Croatian government forecasts employment growth of up to 3% in the coming year. Current trends provide optimism: while seasonal fluctuations in employment data are typical, this year shows a slight increase instead of the usual decline between July and January. The positive data is attributed to the construction sector and certain areas of the public sector.

Slovenia

Tax Office Targets Slovenian OnlyFans Content Creators

Several hundred Slovenia-based individuals have registered as content creators on OnlyFans, a platform primarily for erotic content, collectively earning an estimated 10 million euros. Much of this income is untaxed, making it illegal under Slovenian law. The Slovenian Tax Office has launched an initiative aimed at addressing this issue. Announced on December 9, the measure gives creators until the end of the month (and year) to declare their earnings and pay taxes. Starting next year, audits will begin, and violators may face fines ranging from 1,000 to 26,000 euros.