European Union: Government Contracts, Procurement & PPP

Ireland's Critical Infrastructure Act 2026 introduces a new legal framework requiring public bodies to prioritise and expedite delivery of State-funded infrastructure projects designated as critical by the Government. The Act establishes ministerial oversight powers, coordination duties, and resource allocation requirements while notably exempting designated projects from certain climate action obligations.

The European Commission has delivered its first three-year review of the Foreign Subsidies Regulation, declaring the enforcement framework "fit for purpose" while acknowledging significant administrative burden on market participants. Though the regime has processed thousands of notifications since 2023, resulting in only a handful of in-depth investigations, the Commission has committed to targeted procedural simplifications expected in 2027, even as it doubles down on scrutinizing state-backed acquirers a

The European Commission has published its review of the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR), addressing widespread concerns about the regime's disproportionate compliance burden on M&A deals and procurement procedures. While the EC maintains the instrument is "fit for purpose," stakeholders and independent studies reveal significant administrative challenges, with only 1% of notified M&A deals warranting in-depth review and proposed reforms falling short of the fundamental redesign many had requested.

The European Union is reshaping its defense procurement landscape through new "Buy EU" policies that prioritize regional suppliers and tie funding to compliance requirements. These initiatives mark a significant departure from decades of neo-liberal procurement practices, creating both opportunities and challenges for member states and private capital firms navigating this evolving regulatory environment.

The Spanish Supreme Court has annulled the Single Rental Registry procedure established by Royal Decree 1312/2024, ruling that it infringes upon regional competences in housing and tourism matters.

Enemalta has initiated a preliminary market consultation for a major 132kV interconnector project linking Malta and Gozo, seeking industry input on technical specifications, risk allocation, and procurement strategy before formal tendering begins. The consultation covers submarine and land-based infrastructure design, with the first phase targeting 160MW export capacity, while offering economic operators a strategic opportunity to shape the project's development and future competitive procurement process.

The European Commission adopted a new temporary framework relaxing the conditions under which EU Member States can grant State aid to companies in sectors hit hardest by the ongoing crisis...

La ausencia de justificación objetiva de las especificaciones técnicas en los pliegos de contratación y la omisión de la mención “o equivalente” en los requisitos del pliego no vulneran los principios de transparencia...

Czechia's draft Pay Transparency Directive legislation represents one of the EU's most structurally prescriptive early transposition models, extending beyond transparency obligations into mandatory pay system...