This paper deals with the ethics of civil servants in the Republic of Croatia and provides a comparative overview of ethical codes in different countries. The aim of the paper is to explain the concepts of ethics, civil servants, and ethical codes, and to analyze how the ethical codes in Croatia compare with those in other European and global countries. The paper is structured into five chapters. The first chapter defines the concept of a civil servant, while the second discusses the development of ethics and the role of civil servants in their relations with citizens. The third chapter describes ethical codes, their purpose and content, and the differences between ethical codes and codes of conduct. The fourth chapter presents a comparative analysis of ethical codes and codes of conduct across six groups of countries: Anglo-Saxon, Scandinavian, Weberian, Napoleonic, post-socialist EU member states, and the countries of the former Yugoslavia after independence – including Croatia. The fifth chapter addresses corruption in public services and the measures Croatia is taking to combat corruption. In conclusion, the paper highlights the importance of strengthening ethical standards in public administration in order to improve transparency, accountability, and citizens' trust in civil servants.