European Union: Inward/ Foreign Investment

The European Union has introduced sweeping reforms to foreign direct investment screening that will fundamentally reshape how Member States, including Ireland, review cross-border transactions for security and public order concerns. These changes establish a harmonised baseline for mandatory notifications, introduce coordinated timelines for multi-country deals, and create enhanced information-sharing mechanisms across all 27 Member States. Ireland's recently implemented FDI screening regime will need to ad

Ireland's foreign direct investment screening regime has completed its first full year of operation, generating significant activity across critical sectors. The 2026 Guidance introduces important procedural changes, including a shift to control-based notification triggers, while the EU's newly adopted Revised FDI Screening Regulation and proposed Industrial Accelerator Act will introduce additional layers of regulatory scrutiny for cross-border transactions.

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.