Foreign Direct Investment

Foreign direct investments are of great importance to Sweden's economy and competitiveness, but there are also risks associated with foreign actors acquiring Swedish companies that conduct activities worthy of protection. There has been a lack of a regulatory framework that provides sufficient conditions to prevent strategic acquisitions by foreign investors of companies whose operations, information or technology are important for Sweden's security or for public order or public security in Sweden.

The Government therefore presented a legislative proposal that allows a screening authority to screen foreign direct investments in areas worthy of protection. The Swedish Parliament (Riksdag) adopted the legislative proposal presented by the Government on 13 September 2023. The Screening of Foreign Direct Investments Act (2023:560) entered into force on 1 December 2023.