Practice

Foreign Investment, FSR & FDI

Foreign investments are under increasing scrutiny from national and European authorities to protect national security and ensure fair competition. Foreign direct investment (FDI) controls and the EU’s Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR) affect a wide range of sectors and transactions. This global trend requires a strategic and coordinated approach to ensure the success of these projects.

Comprising experts in mergers and acquisitions, competition law, international trade and public law, our Foreign Investment team draws on the experience of all our firm’s partners to provide our clients with a targeted, pragmatic response to the challenges they face.

We have extensive expertise in regulations on foreign direct investment (both in established and emerging jurisdictions) and foreign subsidies, across all relevant sectors. With our international network, we excel in assisting clients with complex transactions and multi-jurisdictional advice.

As a leading independent law firm, we have developed strong working relationships with national foreign investment authorities, regulators and the European Commission. We defend our clients’ interests at the highest level and keep abreast of new regulations, as we are regularly consulted on regulatory changes and legislative proposals.

FSR areas of intervention

  • We help to prepare and map out foreign financial contributions. We assess the potential risks for public procurement procedures and mergers, and engage directly with the European Commission services at all stages of our clients’ projects.

  • We work efficiently to structure our clients’ projects, anticipating any FSR-related constraints and coordinating with merger control.

  • We prepare and coordinate FSR pre-filings and filings, respond to requests for information and negotiate with the European Commission until authorisation is obtained.

  • We provide legal and strategic advice on the FSR, combined with other competition, International trade and single market instruments, including ex officio procedures and investigations.

  • Combining the expertise of our State Aid, merger control and Trade teams, our FSR team provides a unique perspective and a comprehensive range of services, including tailor-made training for legal teams and departments on this subject, which is still new to many companies.

FDI areas of Intervention

  • Working with our partners, we help to structure projects with regard for FDI-related constraints.

  • With our extensive knowledge of French and international FDI regulations, we conduct efficient and reliable analysis at national and international levels, with due regard for the specific nature of our clients’ transactions.

  • We prepare all the necessary documents for FDI, from gathering information to submitting the application and managing discussions with the authorities until authorisation is obtained.

  • We coordinate our partner network and act as your single point of contact throughout the transaction.

  • We have significant experience in negotiating remedial measures and handle follow-up with the authorities.

  • We provide further support, including up-to-date databases, personalised training and participation in conferences and task forces on FDI.

Awards

  • Chambers Greater China Region - China 2025

    Corporate/M&A: Highly Regarded (International Firms)

    Band 5

    They can well understand the client's intention and provide constructive legal suggestion." "The team offers high responsiveness despite the time difference.

  • Chambers France 2025

    Competition/European Law

    Band 3

    Gide has a very big team with competition experts in every field and in lots of jurisdictions. It has skills in all aspects." "Very pragmatic, the firm has a lot of experience and provides good advice.

  • Chambers Europe - France 2024

    Competition/European Law

    Band 3

    Gide has solid experience in contentious matters, often advising clients on cartel and abuse of dominance investigations before the French Competition Authority and on litigation before national courts and European institutions, including private enforcement actions. The law firm also covers merger control mandates and distribution issues.

  • Chambers Global - Morocco 2024

    Corporate/Commercial

    Band 2

    Gide's team in Morocco boasts extensive expertise in projects, infrastructure and energy mandates. In these areas the team is well accustomed to assisting with the creation of PPPs and joint venture project companies, as well as counselling energy companies on the licensing and commercial contract issues essential to their operation.

  • Chambers Global - Tunisia 2024

    General Business Law

    Band 2

    Gide has operated in Tunisia for more than two decades, allowing it to advise on the full gamut of local and international business law. The group has substantial experience assisting foreign companies with the establishment of their local operations.

  • Chambers Global/Europe - Poland 2024

    Corporate/M&A: High-End Capability

    Band 4

    Gide Warsaw is active on deals relating to the engineering, mining and energy sectors. The firm has a strong following of Polish clients in addition to francophone names.

  • Chambers Global - Poland 2024

    International & Cross-Border Capabilities

    Band 4

    Gide Warsaw predominantly advises on finance and corporate matters across jurisdictions, adept at handling both inbound and outbound deals. Active on both public and private transactions.

  • Chambers Global/Europe - Belgium 2024

    Competition: EU

    Band 5

    Gide regularly advises on merger control issues arising from planned M&A and joint venture transactions. It has further experience in EC abuse of dominance and anti-competitive practice investigations, with a focus on advising complainants and interveners.

  • Legal 500 EMEA - Algeria 2024

    Commercial, Corporate & M&A

    Tier 1

    Gide is well known in the Algerian corporate and commercial market for its capacity to handle complex and high-value M&A and joint ventures, as well as novel deals, including the first squeeze-out transaction in the Algerian stock exchange.

  • Legal 500 EMEA - Poland 2024

    Commercial, Corporate & M&A

    Tier 2

    A set of dedicated professionals who supported our organisation throughout a complex divestment process. The quality of services rendered exceeded our expectations.

  • Legal 500 EMEA - Morocco 2024

    Commercial, Corporate & M&A

    Tier 2

    The M&A and corporate team at Gide is a trusted partner for major Moroccan and multinational clients embarking on high-stakes M&A transactions within Morocco and the broader southern African region.

  • Legal 500 EMEA - Tunisia 2024

    Commercial, Corporate & M&A

    Tier 2

    Advising international clients on their investments in Tunisia is at the heart of the corporate offering at Gide. Recent work in this area includes advising on the establishment of joint ventures and on the disposition and acquisition of Tunisian companies and subsidiaries.

  • Legal 500 Asia Pacific - China 2025

    Corporate/M&A: Foreign Firms

    Tier 4

    Through a combination of technical expertise and practicality, the Gide practice advises multinational corporations and Chinese clients on all aspects of M&A, joint ventures, and corporate reorganisations.

  • Legal 500 Asia Pacific - China 2024

    Corporate & M&A: Foreign Firms

    Tier 5

    Gide covers day-to-day corporate issues, M&A, joint ventures, reorganisations and corporate structuring.

  • Legal 500 EMEA - Turkey 2024

    Commercial, Corporate & M&A

    Tier 5

    The team at ODSA employs the expertise of its team to assist insurers, financial institutions, domestic and multinational corporates in oil and gas, energy, logistics, cosmetics and construction, with day-to-day matters and complex, cross-border transactions.