European Union: Inward/ Foreign Investment

Op 4 maart 2026 publiceerde de Europese Commissie haar wetgevingsvoorstel voor de Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA), het antwoord van de EU op de toenemende concurrentie in het mondiale industriële landschap.

On 4 March 2026, the European Commission published its legislative proposal for the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA), the EU’s response to an increasingly competitive global industrial landscape.

Germany is modernizing its foreign direct investment screening regime to align with EU standards by 2028. The leaked draft of the new Investment Screening Act reveals a largely familiar framework with elevated statutory protections, but introduces notable changes for EFTA investors and listed company thresholds. Will the final legislation maintain this continuity or introduce more substantial reforms as parliamentary debate unfolds?

On 26 June 2026, new Regulation (EU) 2026/1386 on the screening of foreign investments into the Union was published (the New EU FDI Regulation). The New EU FDI Regulation will apply from 17 January 2028, and the current FDI Regulation 2019/452 will be repealed with effect from the same date.

Belgium has long been considered a tax haven due to its lack of capital gains tax on financial assets managed within a private estate. The Act of 6 April 2026 introduces a new capital gains tax regime with a 10% fixed rate and generous allowances, including a €1 million exemption for business owners holding at least 20% of company shares. Despite this change, Belgium's competitive tax structure with step-up provisions for new residents and deferred exit taxes may continue to attract entrepreneurs and

President Trump's August 2026 memorandum authorizes foreign shipbuilders to construct critical naval vessels under the "Finland Model," requiring them to establish US facilities and train American workers. The directive aims to expand domestic shipbuilding capacity while addressing immediate fleet readiness needs through strategic partnerships with allied nations. This policy shift could fundamentally reshape Navy acquisition programs and the competitive landscape for defense contractors.

Strategic buyers dominated Dutch public M&A in 2025, but ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and transformative forces like AI and the energy transition are reshaping the dealmaking landscape. Will strategic M&A continue to take center stage in 2026, or will private equity sponsors return with selective activity where they can bring genuine added value to target businesses?

Philip Mifsud and Chris Grech from Ganado Advocates have authored the Malta chapter of the Foreign Direct Investment Guide published by Concurrences. The chapter provides comprehensive analysis of Malta's FDI screening regime, covering legal frameworks, notification requirements, review processes, timelines, and enforcement mechanisms for qualifying investments.

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