Foreign Investment & National Security
EU FDI reform moves toward common minimum screening of strategic sectors
The revised EU FDI screening direction would impose a minimum list of critical sectors, two-phase reviews, stronger cooperation tools, retrospective powers and scrutiny of certain intra-EU structures.
BY GEOPOLITICS DESK · MAY 7, 2026 · 1 MIN READ
The revised EU FDI screening direction would impose a minimum list of critical sectors, two-phase reviews, stronger cooperation tools, retrospective powers and scrutiny of certain intra-EU structures. M&A teams should expect more precautionary filings, more timeline uncertainty and earlier structuring around AI, semiconductors, quantum, critical raw materials, energy, digital infrastructure and financial-market infrastructure.