European Foundation
for the Improvement of
Living and Working Conditions

The tripartite EU agency providing knowledge to assist
in the development of better social, employment and
work-related policies

EU PolicyWatch

Database of national-level policy measures

Eurofound's EU PolicyWatch collates information on the responses of government and social partners to the COVID-19 crisis, the war in Ukraine, rising inflation, as well as gathering examples of company practices aimed at mitigating the social and economic impacts.

Factsheet for measure HR-2025-10/3708 Updated – measures in Croatia

Train & Green

Vlak i zeleno

Country Croatia , applies nationwide
Time period Open ended, started on 02 March 2025
Context Green Transition
Type Company practices
Category Promoting the economic, labour market and social recovery into a green future
– Sustainable mobility
Author Predrag Bejakovic (Faculty of Economics, Business, and Tourism (FEBT), University of Split) and Eurofound
Measure added 05 March 2025 (updated 24 September 2025)

Background information

The bicycle is increasingly used as a daily part of public transport in Croatian towns. Following market research, a need for the possibility of transporting bicycles on trains was confirmed. Thus, Croatian Railways Passenger Transport has participated in the SUSTANCE project, funded by the Central Europe Transnational Program. The project promotes sustainable mobility and tourism through a unique experience that combines train travel and active bicycle exploration. The Train & Green initiative encourages eco-friendly travel and active holidays. It is also an opportunity to reduce CO2 emissions. The initiative fosters sustainable tourism development by connecting people with nature and providing information on bicycle transportation, trails, accommodation, and similar amenities.

Content of measure

Croatian Railways Passenger Transport offers the opportunity to transport bicycles on all trains around Croatia and in international passenger transport. Bicycles should be assembled and packaged, so they can be stored in the passenger section or a specially designated area for luggage. Certain trains have a coach with a designated area for storing up to 10 bicycles. Furthermore, a list of places where it is possible to rent a bike and obtain various information through interactive maps on bicycle routes is available on the project’s website. There is also a variety of information on cyclists' accommodation and various events that are part of the project so that the local population and tourists can enjoy and explore undiscovered mountain peaks, forest trails, deep canyons, and wild nature. As a clean and healthy form of transport, the bicycle should play a key role in improving multimodal connectivity and tourism, in combination with other types of transport - trains and buses - in urban and rural areas. The train-bicycle combination should become a part of Croatia's tourism offer and also something that would make commuting and everyday life easier for locals.

Updates

The following updates to this measure have been made after it came into effect.

31 July 2025

The Ministry of the Sea, Transport, and Infrastructure announced that the first phase of the Zagreb Railway Node Development Study is nearing completion. This first phase determines the connection of the Zagreb Airport with the railway network. The optimal solution has been selected, for which all stakeholders have agreed, and the financial and economic analysis remains to be completed. The completion of the first phase of the Zagreb Node Study is expected by the end of August 2025. This will be followed by contracting and preparing further project documentation, followed by contracting and carrying out all of the needed activities. The Project will cost €1.5 million, and should be finished by September 2026. Therefore, the first train towards the Airport should start before the end of 2026. Such a solution has clear environmental advantages, relief from city traffic jams, fewer cars on the approaches to the airport, and simpler and more reliable transportation for tourists and passengers

13 May 2025

Croatian Railways unveiled on 13 May 2025 its first battery-electric train, produced by the Croatian company Končar as part of the EU-funded project "Application of Green Technologies", worth €17.1 million. The train reaches up to 160 km/h, has free internet, an audio-visual system, ramps for people with disabilities, and bicycle storage. The project has enabled Končar to develop an export product and has demonstrated the potential of the green transition to strengthen domestic industry. However, success depends on demand and the efficiency of Croatian Railways for the full implementation of the new train.

Use of measure

No information available yet .

Contents

  • Other topics

Target groups

Workers Businesses Citizens
Does not apply to workers Does not apply to businesses Applies to all citizens

Actors and funding

Actors Funding
EU (Council, EC, EP)
European Funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

Trade unions Employers' organisations
Role No involvement as case not in social partner domain No involvement as case not in social partner domain
Form Not applicable Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

  • No involvement
  • Main level of involvement: Company level

Involvement

Social partners were not involved, but they fully support the use of bicycle as a mean of transport.

Views and reactions

Many employers in Croatia encourage their employees to use bicycles as a means of transportation to and from work..

Sectors and occupations

    • Economic area Sector (NACE level 2)
      H - Transportation And Storage H49 Land transport and transport via pipelines

This case is not occupation-specific.

Sources

Citation

Eurofound (2025), Train & Green , measure HR-2025-10/3708 (measures in Croatia), EU PolicyWatch, Dublin, https://static.eurofound.europa.eu/covid19db/cases/HR-2025-10_3708.html

Share

Disclaimer: This information has not been subject to the full Eurofound evaluation, editorial and publication process.