European Union: M&A/Private Equity

The Netherlands and the United States have maintained an active M&A relationship for decades, with Dutch and American parties regularly meeting across the negotiating table.

Italy's implementation of AIFMD II fundamentally reshapes the regulatory landscape for private credit funds lending into Italian markets. The reform introduces harmonized EU-wide rules for loan-originating AIFs while expanding Italy's domestic definition of credit funds, creating both streamlined cross-border access and new structural constraints. How will the 20% concentration limit on financial-sector borrowers affect real estate lending transactions, and what does this mean for fund design, leverage stra

Goodwin Procter LLP submits detailed observations on the European Commission's draft merger control guidelines, identifying four critical areas where current drafting risks undermining legal certainty: the innovation shield's failure to operate as a genuine safe harbour, insufficient evidentiary boundaries for reverse killer acquisition theories, lack of limiting principles in entrenchment and ecosystem theories, and unworkable compliance obligations regarding common ownership by institutional investors.

Arthur Cox's Life Sciences Outlook 2026 examines critical regulatory developments and strategic opportunities shaping Ireland's life sciences sector. The publication explores Ireland's EU Council Presidency and its potential impact on advancing key legislative initiatives including the Biotech Act I and medical device reforms. Industry leaders will find comprehensive analysis spanning pharmaceutical compliance, medtech regulation, data governance, M&A activity, and environmental considerations.

Explore how modern workplace design and professional environments are evolving to meet contemporary business needs. Discover insights into creating functional, aesthetically pleasing spaces that enhance productivity and reflect organizational values.

Germany has enacted significant reforms to its real estate transfer tax rules for share deals, addressing the controversial issue of double taxation that previously arose when signing and closing occurred at different times. The new legislation establishes a clear hierarchy between tax provisions and extends notification periods, fundamentally changing how M&A transactions involving real estate-owning companies are taxed.

France is set to significantly raise the turnover thresholds that trigger mandatory pre-merger notification to the French Competition Authority, marking the first increase in general thresholds since 2004. The reform, adopted through the French Economic Life Simplification Bill in April 2026, amends Article L. 430-2 of the French Commercial Code and awaits final promulgation before entering into force in September or October 2026.

Germany is set to raise merger control thresholds and introduce a new "phase 0" filing process for transactions caught by the transaction value test. The proposed 12th amendment to the German Competition Act also includes subtle but significant changes that could enable the Federal Cartel Office to more easily scrutinize AI partnerships and other non-traditional deals.

La loi de simplification de la vie économique modifie en profondeur le régime d'information des salariés lors de cessions d'entreprises. Les obligations varient désormais selon la taille de l'entreprise et la présence d'un CSE, avec des délais raccourcis et des sanctions allégées pour les PME de moins de 50 salariés.