Corporate Law · European Union
Navigate Any Merger or Acquisition in Europe With a Lawyer Who Has Done It Before
Whether you are merging two companies, buying a competitor, or selling a division, the structure, documents and approvals decide whether the deal creates value or risk. We match you, free of charge, with an M&A lawyer who handles corporate transactions in your European country every day.
- 155+ legal services, 14 practice areas
- Lawyers across the EU & EEA
- No fee to get matched
No commitment. No hidden fees.
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Who this is for
A merger or acquisition is a company-level decision with personal, long-term consequences
Mergers and acquisitions reshape businesses — combining companies, buying competitors, or carving out divisions — and they are governed by a dense web of company law, tax rules, employment protections and competition regulation that differs from one European country to the next. A merger is more than a transaction: it involves corporate approvals, shareholder and employee rights, valuation and exchange mechanics, filings with registries, and in some cases competition clearance before the deal may complete. Getting the structure right at the outset is what separates a smooth integration from a deal that triggers disputes, unexpected tax costs or regulatory hold-ups. Because so much depends on jurisdiction and the specific facts, the right lawyer is one who has closed similar transactions in your target country. We match you, free of charge, with an M&A lawyer who does exactly that.
Why deals get stuck
M&A failures usually begin before the signing —
in a structure, a filing, or a clause nobody checked.
The mechanics of a merger or acquisition are unforgiving, and a misstep at any stage can delay the deal or unravel it entirely.
Choosing the wrong structure
A merger, share acquisition and asset acquisition each carry different tax, liability and approval consequences. If the structure does not fit your commercial and regulatory reality, the deal can stall or become far more expensive than planned.
Missing regulatory approvals
Competition clearance, sector-specific consents and foreign investment screening can all apply depending on the parties and countries involved. Proceeding without identifying these obligations risks fines or a deal that cannot complete.
Shareholder and employee rights
Mergers trigger approval rights, dissenters’ remedies and information obligations towards shareholders, and often consultation duties towards employees. Overlooking any of them can invalidate steps in the process and breed disputes.
What you get
An M&A lawyer who manages the whole transaction
We only match you with corporate lawyers who handle mergers and acquisitions regularly in your target country.
Transaction strategy
Your lawyer maps the optimal structure — merger, share or asset deal — against your goals, tax position and the regulatory landscape, so the deal is designed correctly before documents are drafted.
Due diligence and valuation support
A disciplined review of the target’s contracts, finances, liabilities and compliance underpins the price and the warranties, ensuring the value you are buying is real.
Documentation and negotiation
Heads of terms, sale and purchase agreements, merger plans and completion mechanics are drafted and negotiated to allocate risk fairly and close the deal cleanly.
Regulatory and closing management
Filings, competition notifications, employee consultations and conditions precedent are managed in the correct sequence, so every approval is secured and completion happens cleanly, on schedule and without surprises.
Coverage
M&A lawyers across Europe
Company law, tax and competition rules are national or EU-specific and frequently overlap, so the right lawyer is one who works with your target country’s merger regime on a regular basis. We match cases across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Mergers & acquisitions — common questions
What is the difference between a merger and an acquisition?
In a merger, two or more companies combine into a single entity, often by operation of company law. In an acquisition, one company buys another or its assets, and the target may continue or be absorbed. The correct label and structure depend on the specific facts and jurisdiction.
Do I need competition clearance for an M&A deal?
It depends on the size of the parties and the turnover thresholds that apply, which vary between national regimes and EU law. Some deals require prior notification and approval, while smaller ones do not. Your lawyer will assess whether clearance is needed in your case.
What is the role of due diligence in M&A?
Due diligence is the investigation of the target’s legal, financial and commercial position before signing. It informs the price, the warranties you negotiate, and the decision to proceed, and it is essential whether you are the buyer or the seller.
How long does an M&A transaction typically take?
It varies greatly with the complexity, size and number of jurisdictions involved, typically from a few weeks for a simple transaction to many months where financing, regulatory clearance or cross-border elements are involved. Your lawyer can give a realistic timeline.
What documents are involved in an M&A deal?
A transaction usually involves heads of terms or a letter of intent, a sale and purchase or merger agreement, disclosure schedules, warranties and indemnities, and various filings and approvals. The exact set depends on the structure and the countries involved.
Can a lawyer help if a deal is already underway?
Yes. Lawyers are often brought in after terms have been discussed to review the structure, run due diligence, and draft or correct the documents. The earlier they are involved, the more scope there is to fix problems before they become binding commitments.
Free case review
Structure the deal right, from the first document
Tell us about your planned merger or acquisition and we’ll connect you with an M&A lawyer who closes similar transactions in your target country — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.