Foreign direct investment reviews 2026: A global perspective

Foreign direct investment ("FDI"), whether undertaken directly or indirectly, is generally allowed without restrictions and without the need to obtain prior authorization from an administrative agency.

The landscape of foreign direct investment ("FDI") in the United States continues to evolve under the Trump administration. With expanded jurisdiction and authorities, mandatory filings applying in certain cases, an enhanced focus on a broad array of national security considerations, further attention and resources dedicated to monitoring, compliance and enforcement, and a substantially increased pursuit of non-notified transactions, the FDI apparatus in the United States is more empowered now than perhaps at any time in its history.

The wide scope, low trigger thresholds and broad interpretation of the Austrian Foreign Direct Investment ("FDI") regime require a thorough assessment and proactive planning throughout the mergers and acquisitions ("M&A") process.

The Belgian foreign direct investment ("FDI") screening regime entered into force in July 2023. Investors and authorities alike are still coming to grips with the regime and the limited guidance available to help parties navigate it.

On July 22, 2025, the Bulgarian Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) screening mechanism entered into effect. According to information provided by the screening authority (the "Screening Council"), during its first two months of operation (September and October 2025), the Screening Council approved 10 screening applications out of 11 filed during that period. The investment in all of the above instances originated from so-called "low-risk" countries, and the applications were cleared within a short time frame. As of January 1, 2026, the Screening Council does not yet have an online register, and at present there is no information about the number of filed or pending applications. There is also no information indicating that any FDI has been prohibited or approved subject to conditions.

Croatia introduced a foreign direct investment ("FDI") screening regime on November 13, 2025. As of January 1, 2026, the regime is not yet operational but expected to be implemented soon.

The Republic of Cyprus' ("RoC") new Foreign Direct Investment Screening Law (the "FDIS Law") will reshape the investment landscape from April 2, 2026, introducing look-back provisions, a screening remit, internal change trigger points, and relatively low notification thresholds.

The Czech Foreign Investments Screening Act took effect in May 2021, establishing the rights and duties of foreign investors and setting screening requirements for Czech targets.

The scope of the Danish foreign direct investment ("FDI") regime is comprehensive and requires a careful assessment of investments and agreements involving Danish companies.

The relevance of Estonia's foreign direct investment ("FDI") screening mechanism has remained modest since its inception at the end of 2023 but is expected to grow in light of the geopolitical situation, on account of increased activity in the defense sector.

Foreign direct investment ("FDI") deals are generally not blocked in Finland, but the government is able to monitor and, if necessary, restrict foreign investment.

Following numerous amendments over the past years, Germany's foreign direct investment ("FDI") review continued in full swing, with further significant updates expected in the coming years.

Greece's mandatory and suspensory foreign direct investment ("FDI") screening regime became fully operational on November 11, 2025. Foreign investors must comply with notification requirements and consider review timelines in deal planning.

Hungary's foreign direct investment ("FDI") regimes faced temporary headwinds in 2025, but no lasting regulatory changes ultimately took hold.

Ireland's Screening of Third Country Transactions Act entered into force on January 6, 2025.

Italy's "Golden Power Law" review: Over a decade old, yet continuously expanding its reach.

The Latvian foreign direct investment ("FDI") regime applies to companies of significance to national security, as well as companies owning or possessing critical infrastructure. While the law does not provide a general notification obligation, specific rules establish sectoral FDI regimes for certain corporate mergers and acquisitions ("M&A"), real estate transactions, and gambling companies.

All investments concerning national security are within the scope of review in Lithuania.

Two years after its entry into force, the Luxembourg foreign direct investment ("FDI") screening regime has reached a solid level of maturity, and its requirements are now well understood by market stakeholders. The year 2025 proved to be particularly active and dynamic for M&A transactions in Luxembourg, notably involving targets in the financial sector, with multiple FDI filings submitted.

Malta's foreign direct investment ("FDI") regime regulates specific transactions that must be notified to the authorities and may, in some instances, be subject to screening.

The Middle East continues to welcome foreign investment, subject to licensing approvals and ownership thresholds for certain business sectors or in certain geographical zones.

The Netherlands is set to expand its investment screening regime by extending the general mechanism to more sectors and by introducing additional sector-specific regulations.

Norway's foreign direct investment ("FDI") screening regime is anchored in the Norwegian Security Act (the "Security Act" or the "Act"), which imposes mandatory filing requirements for transactions involving companies designated as security sensitive. The Act also confers wide discretionary authority on Norwegian authorities to review and intervene in transactions involving non-designated companies where national security interests may be at risk.

In 2025, Poland's foreign direct investment ("FDI") regime was made permanent, and responsibility for its enforcement was transferred to the Ministry of Finance and Economy.

In Portugal, transactions involving the acquisition of control over strategic assets by entities residing outside the European Union or the European Economic Area ("EEA") may be subject to foreign direct investment ("FDI") screening.

While far-reaching in its scope, compared with other countries in the European Union, the Romanian foreign direct investment ("FDI") regime is generally perceived as investor-friendly.

The year 2025 was not marked by any major changes in the sphere of regulation of foreign investments in Russia, and the regulator continues to implement the course on strengthening control taken earlier.

The year 2025 continued with the implementation of the course set earlier in 2023 and 2024, with few substantial updates to cybersecurity legislation extending FDI regulation to new fields of business critical for the Slovak Republic.

Since 2020, certain foreign direct investments ("FDI") have been subject to scrutiny in Spain. Additional formalities have since been introduced through developing FDI regulations that entered into force on September 1, 2023. As a result, FDI analysis is becoming increasingly important in the context of investments in Spain.

Entering its third year, Sweden's foreign direct investment ("FDI") Act remains a key consideration in a significant share of transactions involving Swedish companies.

Switzerland is set to introduce its first cross-sector foreign direct investment ("FDI") screening regime. On December 19, 2025, the Swiss Parliament approved the new FDI Act, Investitionsprüfgesetz, establishing a review mechanism focused on foreign state-controlled investors and security-sensitive sectors. The regime is expected to take effect in 2027 at the earliest.

Sustaining economic stability and building on the strong foreign direct investment ("FDI") momentum of 2025, Türkiye continues to prioritize policies that strengthen its position as an attractive and competitive investment hub.

During September and October 2025, the Ukrainian Parliament introduced an updated foreign investment screening framework, marking a significant step toward strengthening national security controls over inbound investments.

Foreign direct investment ("FDI") is permissible in the United Arab Emirates, subject to applicable licensing and ownership conditions.

Foreign direct investment ("FDI") in the United Kingdom is covered by the National Security and Investment Act ("NSIA") 2021 (which equally applies to UK purchasers), and in 2025 the government continued to update information and guidelines concerning the legislation.

China continues to optimize its foreign investment environment by reducing investment restrictions, improving market access, and lowering investment thresholds for listed companies.

The Indian government has liberalized foreign direct investment ("FDI") rules in certain sectors, such as the space sector, in recent years and is laying the groundwork for 100 percent foreign investment in the insurance sector, while maintaining existing restrictions on investments from sensitive jurisdictions. This reflects the government's approach toward foreign investment: welcoming foreign capital where it aligns with India's strategic goals, while continuing to protect core interests.

The Japanese government is expanding the business sectors subject to Japan's foreign direct investment ("FDI") regime, which covers not only investment but also voting and other actions, to secure stable supply chains and mitigate the risk of technology leakage and diversion of commercial technologies into military use.

The Republic of Korea ("Korea") is entering a more security-focused era of foreign direct investment ("FDI") regulation, with proposed amendments to the Foreign Investment Promotion Act ("FIPA") and longer screening processes requiring foreign investors to adopt proactive regulatory planning and heightened compliance.

Significant changes to the New Zealand overseas investment regime were passed into law in December 2025 and came into force on 6 March 2026. A number of these changes have made it considerably simpler and faster for overseas investors to acquire certain classes of New Zealand assets.

Taiwan continues to promote foreign direct investment ("FDI") under a two-track screening mechanism for foreign investors and People's Republic of China ("PRC") investors.