EU And UK Merger Control Trends Point To Greater Flexibility, Continued Scrutiny

Overview

Q3 2026 saw several developments that shape the practical environment for M&A dealmakers in the European Union and the United Kingdom. The European Commission is seeking to reduce the regulatory burden without diluting substantive enforcement, while pressing ahead with its review of the Merger Guidelines. At the national level, France’s new, higher merger control thresholds have entered into force. UK enforcement data and survey results paint a picture of fewer formal investigations alongside limited business awareness of the merger-control regime.

European Union

Streamlining notification requirements across the EU while preserving enforcement reach

• Authorities are streamlining and recalibrating notification obligations and procedural requirements in an attempt to ease compliance costs. However, they explicitly preserve their substantive enforcement tools. Deal teams can look forward to upwardly revised thresholds but should still consider whether substantive issues