Bulgaria recently took a step to safeguard its national
security and public order. In March 2024, the country
implemented a foreign direct investment (FDI) screening mechanism,
aligning with EU regulations. This means certain investments will
require approval before going forward.
Who screens these investments? An
Inter-ministerial Foreign Direct Investment Screening Council,
comprised of ministers and regulatory commission representatives,
will handle the process.
So, which investments get screened? Here's
a breakdown:
- Investors: Those from outside the EU, or
controlled by non-EU entities, will face scrutiny.
- Sectors: Critical infrastructure (energy,
transport, etc.), critical technologies (AI, robotics), and media
are all on the watchlist.
