Corporate & Business Law · European Union
Navigate Foreign Direct Investment Rules With Confidence
Investing across borders means more than moving capital — it means company registration, banking, tax, and increasingly, mandatory foreign investment screening that can block or delay a deal you thought was closed. We match you, free of charge, with a corporate lawyer who guides foreign investors through every step of establishing or acquiring a business in a European country.
- Incorporation, acquisition & joint ventures
- Investment screening & approvals
- No fee to get matched
No commitment. No hidden fees.
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Tell us about your situation and receive a free, confidential case review.
Who this is for
Cross-border investment is a legal journey, not just a transfer of funds
Foreign direct investment means an investor or company from one country establishing a lasting interest in a business in another — typically by incorporating a subsidiary, acquiring a stake, or setting up a joint venture. It is a distinct legal exercise from a simple portfolio investment, because it triggers company registration, banking and tax obligations, employment rules, and, in many European countries, a formal screening process that reviews certain deals for national security and public order. The rules are not uniform: each country has its own thresholds, notification requirements and review timelines, and a deal that is routine in one market may require approval in another. A specialist lawyer maps the route before you commit capital, so you don’t discover a filing requirement after the money has moved.
Why investors get stuck
The capital is the easy part.
Getting it in — and out — legally is where it gets hard.
Each European country runs its own company registration, banking, tax and screening rules, and an overseas investor rarely sees the obligations coming.
Screening rules that can block a deal
Many European countries now review foreign acquisitions in sensitive sectors, and some require mandatory notification before closing. Missing a filing obligation can invalidate a transaction or leave it exposed to being unwound.
Cross-border structuring gone wrong
The choice of entity, ownership chain and financing structure affects tax, liability and repatriation of profits. A structure set up without local advice can be costly and difficult to correct once capital is committed.
Local compliance you didn’t anticipate
Banking, employment, data protection and sector licensing all come with country-specific requirements that an overseas investor may not see coming. Overlooking them can delay operations or trigger penalties.
What you get
A clear route into the market, mapped before you commit
We only match you with corporate lawyers who handle cross-border investment and market entry in your target country regularly.
Market entry strategy
Your lawyer advises on the best route into a market — incorporation, acquisition, branch or joint venture — weighing tax, liability, control and regulatory exposure before you commit capital.
Screening & approval guidance
Where a foreign investment is subject to national screening, your lawyer identifies the filing obligations, prepares the notification and steers the deal through review so it isn’t blocked or delayed unnecessarily.
Compliant structure & banking
From company formation and corporate governance to opening bank accounts and moving capital, your lawyer ensures the structure is compliant with local law and set up to grow.
Cross-border tax & employment
Profit repatriation, withholding, transfer pricing and hiring local staff each carry country-specific rules. Your lawyer coordinates these so the investment is efficient and fully compliant.
Coverage
FDI lawyers across Europe
Investment screening, company law and tax are national matters, so the right lawyer is one who works in the country where you’re investing. We match cross-border investors across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Foreign direct investment — common questions
What counts as foreign direct investment?
Broadly, it’s when an investor from one country establishes a lasting interest in a business in another — through a subsidiary, acquisition or joint venture — rather than simply holding shares as a portfolio investor. The precise legal definition varies by country and by the screening rules in force.
Do all foreign investments need approval in Europe?
Not all. Many deals proceed without any filing, but a growing number of countries require notification for acquisitions in sensitive sectors or above certain thresholds. The rules vary by country, so a lawyer will confirm whether your specific deal triggers a review.
What is foreign investment screening?
It’s a review by national authorities of certain foreign investments to assess risks to security or public order. Depending on the country and sector, notification may be mandatory or voluntary, and the outcome can include approval, conditions, or prohibition of the deal.
Should I incorporate a local company or acquire an existing one?
It depends on your goals, timeline, budget and risk appetite. Incorporating gives you full control but takes time to build up; acquiring brings assets, staff and market position but also liabilities. A lawyer will help you weigh the trade-offs for your situation.
How do I move profits out of the country?
Profit repatriation typically involves dividends, which may be subject to withholding tax depending on the countries and any double-taxation treaty between them. The rules vary, so a lawyer will structure the flow efficiently and in full compliance.
Can a lawyer help me hire local staff after investing?
Yes. Employment contracts, social security registration and work permits are governed by national law, and the requirements differ across Europe. A lawyer familiar with the local market will set these up correctly from the start.
Free case review
Invest with a clear route, not an expensive guess
Tell us where you’re investing and what you plan to do, and we’ll connect you with a cross-border investment lawyer who works in that market every day — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.