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.

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

Malta's FDI regime regulates specific transactions that must be notified to the authorities and may potentially be subject to screening.

The Luxembourg FDI screening regime is now a year old, and the first notification filings have been made.

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

The law in Latvia provides for sectoral FDI regimes for specific corporate M&A, real estate dealings and gambling companies.

Italy's "Golden Power Law" review more than ten years old and continuously expanding its reach.

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

State pre-emption right, excessively extended deadlines – significant changes in Hungarian FDI laws. 2025 summer update

Following numerous amendments over the past years, Germany’s FDI review continued in full swing in 2024, with further significant updates expected in the coming years.

French FDI screening continues to focus on foreign investments involving medical and biotech activities, food security activities or the treatment, storage and transmission of sensitive data. The nuclear ecosystem is subject to very close scrutiny.

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

Estonia's FDI screening mechanism closed its first effective year in 2024.

The scope of the Danish FDI regime is comprehensive, and requires a careful assessment of investments and agreements involving Danish companies.

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.

In 2024, Bulgaria established an FDI screening mechanism. Foreign investors' obligation to file for investment clearance did not become effective in 2024, but this should change soon.

The Belgian FDI screening regime entered into force in July 2023. Investors and authorities alike are still coming to grips with the regime and the limited guidelines that help parties navigate it.

The wide scope, low trigger thresholds and extensive interpretation of the Austrian FDI regime require a thorough assessment and proactive planning of the M&A process.

The European Commission continues to be a driver of FDI screening across the EU, with Member States now moving toward coordinated enforcement.

In the US, most FDI deals are approved without mitigation, but the landscape is evolving based on a combination of expanded jurisdiction and authorities, mandatory filings applying in certain cases, enhanced focus on a broad array of national security considerations, increased rates of mitigation

Foreign direct investments, whether undertaken directly or indirectly, are generally allowed without restrictions or without the need to obtain prior authorization from an administrative agency. 

The Canadian government continues to scrutinize foreign investments by state-owned enterprises and state-linked private investors, especially if from "non-likeminded" countries.

Bulgaria established a foreign direct investment screening mechanism. Foreign investors' obligation to file for investment clearance will become effective after implementing regulations are in place.

Taiwan continues to promote FDI under a two-track screening mechanism for foreign and PRC investors.

After a number of years of amendments under the OIA from 2018 to 2021, New Zealand has seen a period of stabilization of the overseas investment regime.

The Republic of Korea continues to welcome foreign investment, with the government actively seeking to ease regulations and update the regulatory framework to be in line with global standards.

Certain businesses related to "Specifically Designated Critical Commodities" have been designated "core" sectors subject to Japan's FDI regime, FEFTA.

India continues to be an attractive destination for foreign investment, ranking as the world's eighth-largest recipient of FDI in 2023.

While restricting the data transfer relating to national security, China issued guidelines to further optimize its foreign investment environment. 

Australia's stringent foreign investment regulations, overseen by the Treasurer and FIRB, safeguard national interests and security.

Now into its second year of operation, the UK's National Security and Investment Act 2021 has become a standard feature of UK transactions for both foreign and domestic investors in certain sensitive sectors.

Foreign direct investment is permissible in the UAE, subject to applicable licensing and ownership conditions.

Making Türkiye an attractive investment destination continues to be a priority for the government.

Historically, Switzerland has been very liberal regarding foreign investments. However, there has recently been increased political pressure to create a more structured legal regime for foreign investment.

In December 2023, Sweden adopted and implemented a new FDI regime, meaning that a general FDI screening mechanism now applies in relation to investments in certain Swedish businesses.

Certain foreign direct investments in Spain are subject to scrutiny under the Law 19/2003 (Law on the movement of capital and foreign economic transactions and on certain measures for the prevention of money laundering).

Since May 31, 2020, certain foreign investments into Slovenian companies can be subject to foreign direct investments review. Incorporation of new companies and business units can also be screened.

The new Foreign Investments Screening Act entered into force in Slovakia on March 1, 2023.

Russian laws regulating foreign investments have been considerably amended in 2023 to extend the scope of the laws as well as to strengthen control in this sphere.

The Romanian regime regarding foreign direct investment appears to have become more stable in 2023, but continues to surprise.