Economy set to change two laws to bolster the anti-foreign takeover shield
The Government wants to make permanent the protection for EU investors and will require prior authorization to build data centers and energy facilities.
The Spanish government plans to make permanent a shield protecting against foreign investors from the EU, currently set to expire in December 2026, and extend it until the end of 2027 while making it permanent through legal reform. The Economy Ministry, led by Vice President Carlos Cuerpo, also wants to broaden the sectors considered strategic and subject to prior authorization, including data centers and energy facilities.
The government will require prior authorization for greenfield investments, or construction projects, in these sectors. The reform aims to clarify concepts, improve procedures and adapt the norm to the current international context. In 2025, 144 foreign investment operations were scrutinized, and the Economy Ministry's proposal has been put out for public consultation.
Written by urgent.news from Expansion ES's report — not a translation of it. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
