Germany: Government, Public Sector

Anna-Catharina von Girsewald and Dr. Carsten Bormann examine the profound changes in the EU's regulatory environment and their impact on foreign direct investment and M&A activities. The article explores how increasing geopolitical tensions and a shift toward a more continental European approach are reshaping the investment landscape, while European economies simultaneously face pressure to accelerate growth in key sectors like defense, technology, and infrastructure.

European economies face unprecedented pressure from geopolitical tensions and the need to accelerate growth in critical industries like defense and emerging technologies. This comprehensive analysis examines how EU regulation functions both as a constraint on transaction execution and as a strategic instrument of industrial policy, exploring the evolving regulatory landscape shaping foreign direct investment and M&A activity.

Germany has adopted the new Act for Critical Facilities (KRITIS Dachgesetz) (the Act) (available here, German only), which entered into force on March 17 , 2026. It implements the Critical Entities...

The European Union has fundamentally restructured its anti-money laundering framework through a comprehensive legislative package that replaces fragmented national implementations with directly applicable regulations. This transformation introduces a new EU-wide supervisory authority, expands the scope of regulated entities, and establishes harmonized customer due diligence requirements across all member states.

The German Federal Court of Justice has delivered a landmark ruling on climate litigation, rejecting civil claims that sought to compel major automakers to phase out combustion engines ahead of legislative timelines.

On September 16, 2025, the Administrative Court of Frankfurt am Main (Ref. 7 K 3685/24.F; 7 K 3686/24.F; 7 K 3705/24.F) that the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority...

Emerging technologies and government focus on security will drive new entrants and consolidation in the sector, but the realities of procurement remain a political and commercial challenge

In a rare move, the German Federal Ministry of Defense (BMVG) has published guidance on how it evaluates foreign investments in the security and defense sector.

Businesses in Germany are currently facing unprecedented challenges. Growing concerns regarding de-industrialisation, evidenced by the daily announcements of job cuts...

European economies face unprecedented pressure from geopolitical tensions and the need to accelerate growth in critical industries like defense and emerging technologies. This comprehensive analysis examines how EU regulation functions both as a constraint on transaction execution and as a strategic instrument of industrial policy, exploring the evolving regulatory landscape shaping foreign direct investment and M&A activity.

A German court has ruled that decommissioning bonds for onshore wind turbines must cover both above-ground and underground installations, including pile foundations, with removal required even in water protection areas unless demonstrably disproportionate.

Germany’s framework for allocating transmission grid connections is undergoing a fundamental shift.