The nature and spectrum of regulatory compliance is getting broader due to impact of globalization and to expanding compliance expectations. Regulatory compliance governance (thereafter - RCG) is becoming a new emerging discipline that copes with the challenges of companies to follow all the rapid changes of regulatory requirements. Recently in European Union (thereafter EU) RCG often is understood as a tool for companies which are operating in regulated sectors. Higher education and research institutions (thereafter HEI) are facing new challenges due to substantial changes in the business environment, as well as increasing regulatory impact by local and EU legislation. The strategic management process is becoming more complex, accordingly. This research is investigating the tools and extent to which local and EU legislation impact HEI and whether HEI use RCG as a tool to deal with this impact on strategic decision making level.