Draft act on screening and authorisation of foreign investments is sent out for comments
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment is requesting opinions on a government proposal to Parliament for an act on the screening and authorisation of foreign investments. Please submit the statements no later than 16.7.2026.
The Government agreed in its programme that the Act on the Screening of Foreign Corporate Acquisitions will be reformed. As part of the reform, the risks relating to national security, security of supply and wide-ranging influence activities will be taken into account more effectively than at present.
“This draft act aims to respond to the requirements of the changed operating and security environment. The purpose is to give us more effective tools to address the risks involved in foreign ownership, if necessary, and to clarify existing regulation,” says Minister of Economic Affairs Sakari Puisto.
The proposed act would include provisions on e.g. the subjects of screening, a two-stage permit procedure, official duties, and sanctions for neglecting the obligations of the act or circumventing it. As the scope of application of the act expands, investments generating new business would also become subject to screening in a limited and targeted manner within the sectors and operations defined in the act.
Going forward, the National Emergency Supply Agency would be the competent authority to grant an authorisation in the first stage of the authorisation procedure under the act. In the second stage, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment would act as the authorising authority.
The proposal also implements the additions to national legislation required by the EU’s new regulation on screening of foreign direct investments.
The Act is intended to enter into force in spring 2027.
Inquiries:
Linda Rönnqvist, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 29 504 7174
Lasse Puroma, Chief Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 29 504 7085