The purpose of this paper is to analyze different approaches to punishment in the countries of the European Union and the Republic of Croatia. After a brief overview of the basic concepts of punishment, we will take a historical overview of the basics of the evolution of punishment and penal law from ancient Babylon to France in the 18th century. The paper first examines criminal sanctions in the Member States of the European Union, and their comparison with the rest of the world. Based on the presentation of the types and effects of different approaches to punishment, the author draws attention to the current state of the criminal justice system in selected countries of the European Union. This is followed by an analysis of criminal sanctions in Croatia, their purposefulness, application and justification. We will show proof of implementing and use of alternative sanctions. Finally, the author emphasizes the importance of an approach to punishment that contributes to the preservation of the community, and the prevention of more serious crimes.