EU foreign investment screening notifications rise 40% in 2025
EU member states notified 667 foreign investments in 2025, up 40% from 2024, with 12% needing in-depth security review and 88% closed within 15 days.
The story in focus
The European Commission's sixth annual FDI screening report shows EU member states notified 667 foreign investments in 2025, up 40% from 477 in 2024. 88% were closed within 15 days; 12% required in-depth security assessments, a 4% rise.
- Notifications to the EU cooperation mechanism rose from 477 in 2024 to 667 in 2025.
- Manufacturing accounted for 27% of notifications and 53% of in-depth assessments.
- The Commission issued opinions in less than 2% of cases, consistent with 2023 and 2024.
Notification surge and fast-track closures
EU member states notified 667 foreign direct investments to the European Commission in 2025, a 40% increase from 477 in 2024, according to the Commission's sixth annual FDI screening report published on 14 October 2026. The report states this was the highest annual rise since the cooperation mechanism was introduced. Of the notified cases, 88% were closed within 15 days.
Sector concentration and deeper scrutiny
Manufacturing accounted for 27% of notifications, followed by information and communication technologies at 19%, financial activities at 17%, wholesale and retail at 13% and professional activities at 8%. Twelve percent of notified investments required an in-depth security risk assessment, a 4% rise on the previous year. Manufacturing made up 53% of in-depth cases, up from 50% in 2024, while ICT represented almost one fifth, unchanged from 2024. The Commission issued opinions in less than 2% of cases, as in 2023 and 2024.
New regulation and coverage
The report notes that since late 2025 all EU member states have frameworks for screening FDI. A new Foreign Investment Screening Regulation was adopted on 17 June 2026 and will apply from 17 January 2028, replacing the regulation in force since October 2020. The Commission says the new rules aim to make the system more effective and efficient for investors and member states.
How many foreign investments did EU member states notify in 2025?
EU member states notified 667 foreign investments to the European Commission in 2025, up from 477 in 2024, a 40% increase and the highest annual rise since the mechanism began.
Sources & further reading
- Screening of foreign direct investment continues to advance EU security and public order ↗policy.trade.ec.europa.eu
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