Investing in the EU

Businesses and individuals invest overseas in order to locate their production in cost-efficient and high-skills locations, to source components and raw materials, as well as to get closer to their customers. For the country of investment, inward investment plays an important role and contributes to technological development, job creation and economic growth.

EU legislation and the single market support investments as they guarantee the freedom to establish a business, to invest in companies and to carry cross-border capital movements. They also ensure equal and non-discriminatory treatment of investors in all the member states

The EU has one of the world’s most open and transparent regimes towards inbound foreign direct investment (FDI), making it one of the main destination for FDI in the world. Therefore, FDI stocks held by third country investors in the EU amount to around €6.295 billion. Investing in the EU translates into access to a highly integrated single market made up of 500 million consumers and investment opportunities.

Businesses and individuals invest overseas in order to locate their production in cost-efficient and high-skills locations, to source components and raw materials, as well as to get closer to their customers. For the country of investment, inward investment plays an important role and contributes to technological development, job creation and economic growth.

The EU has one of the world’s most open and transparent regimes towards inbound foreign direct investment (FDI), making it one of the main destination for FDI in the world. Therefore, FDI stocks held by third country investors in the EU amount to around €6.295 billion.

Investing in the EU translates into access to a highly integrated single market made up of 500 million consumers and investment opportunities. EU legislation and the single market support investments as they guarantee the freedom to establish a business, to invest in companies and to carry cross-border capital movements. They also ensure equal and non-discriminatory treatment of investors in all the member states.

Investing in an EU member state

If you wish to invest in the EU, you will find below the relevant links to the websites of the EU Member States investment Promotion Agencies that provide information on the investment opportunities, the steps to be taken and the applicable rules.

Supporting investors in the EU

There are a number of platforms that provide guidance and assistance to businesses and investors established or wishing to establish themselves in the EU Single Market, including the protection of their rights.

Businesses and investors can consult

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Frequently asked questions

  1. When the tariff refers to weight, is it gross weight or net weight?
  2. How can I find the import duty that applies to my product?
  3. If I want to sell my product in several EU countries, are there import duties to pay each time my product enters a different country?
  4. Can I get a list of products charged at 0% import duty?
  5. Are excise duties applied at EU or at national level?
  6. How is VAT charged in the EU?
  7. How can I get approval to export fish to the EU?
  8. Does food exported to the EU have to come from an EU-authorised establishment?
  9. Do I have to pay to use My Trade Assistant for Services and Investment?
  10. In which languages in My Trade Assistant for Services and Investment available?