Mortgage Rules Watch: Slovakia’s central bank (NBS) is set to tweak mortgage lending limits to help first-time buyers under 35, with the loan-to-value cap rising from 80% to 90% for that group, while tightening down-payment requirements for people buying a third property. Tax Enforcement: Slovakia’s shadow economy is put at about €17bn as the Financial Administration and police sign a “Tax Shield” deal to speed up information sharing and crack down on tax fraud. Pay Transparency: EU pay transparency rules kick in this June, forcing employers to share pay ranges for open roles and respond to pay questions, with Slovakia among the early adopters. Drug Policy & Access Delays: Poland launches “Drug Policy 2.0” after a record 1,211-day delay from drug registration to reimbursement, even as it keeps strong oncology performance. Cross-border Payments: Poland’s Blik eyes euro-zone expansion, naming Slovakia as a hub after integrating with Tatra banka and working with other local banks. Diplomacy & Trade: Slovakia signs new agreements with India on visa-free diplomatic travel and easier mission staffing, while North Macedonia’s president visits to push trade, energy and transport cooperation. Security & Crime: Hungary reports a record 522kg cocaine seizure hidden in banana shipments, with a multinational investigation involving Slovak partners. Industry: A strike at Volvo supplier Plasman in Ghent raises fresh questions about the future of the auto supply chain. Energy Transition: Slovakia’s biogas sector is described as stable but stuck, with biomethane progress still limited and support schemes called out as the main bottleneck.