--- title: "Competition Law, European Regulation and FDI" id: "5112" type: "expertise" slug: "competition-law-european-regulation-and-fdi" published_at: "2026-03-18T15:20:10+00:00" modified_at: "2026-07-28T10:17:43+00:00" url: "https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/expertise/competition-law-european-regulation-and-fdi/" markdown_url: "https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/expertise/competition-law-european-regulation-and-fdi.md" excerpt: "Structuring, Securing, and Defending Your Strategic Transactions Competition law has undergone profound transformation. Merger control, foreign subsidies, digital platform regulation, and foreign investment screening have multiplied regulatory checkpoints while compressing procedural timelines. Every growth transaction and every investment flow may..." taxonomy_language: - "English" taxonomy_post_translations: - "pll_69bac2aa0ba25" taxonomy_tax_expertise: - "Competition, European Regulation and FDI" taxonomy_tax_famille_expertise: - "Regulatory" - "Transactional" --- ## Structuring, Securing, and Defending Your Strategic Transactions Competition law has undergone profound transformation. Merger control, foreign subsidies, digital platform regulation, and foreign investment screening have multiplied regulatory checkpoints while compressing procedural timelines. Every growth transaction and every investment flow may trigger proceedings whose outcome can determine the success of an entire project. August Debouzy operates at the intersection of law, economics, and transactional timing. We anticipate procedural overlaps, build robust filings, and negotiate approval pathways aligned with our clients’ strategic imperatives. ## *our*Capabilities ### (01) EU And French Competition Law We manage filings before the French Competition Authority and the European Commission, including market definition, market share analysis, and assessment of competitive effects. We handle information requests, model potential remedies, and coordinate referrals or jurisdictional reallocations where appropriate. Where significant non-EU public financing is involved, we integrate the Foreign Subsidies Regulation and its standstill obligations to avoid delays at closing. For platforms designated as gatekeepers under the Digital Markets Act, we anticipate the interaction between merger control and interoperability obligations. Our objective is to secure a clear approval path aligned with transactional timelines. Consistency between merger control, FDI, FSR, and DMA frameworks directly impacts execution speed. ### (02) Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Foreign investments are subject to heightened scrutiny in France and across the European Union. We assist non-European investors and target companies in preparing notification filings, assessing triggering thresholds, and defining commitments. At every stage, we coordinate interactions with the Ministry of Economy and the European Commission, anticipate potential obstacles, and negotiate remedies tailored to the transaction. ### (03) Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR) Since entering into force in 2023, the Foreign Subsidies Regulation has introduced new notification obligations for transactions involving beneficiaries of significant non-EU public funding. We assess whether a transaction exceeds relevant thresholds, prepare notifications, and manage interactions with the European Commission. In the event of an in-depth investigation, we defend our clients’ interests, model potential remedies, and coordinate the interaction between FSR, merger control, and FDI processes. ### (04) State Aid We advise companies and public entities on the qualification of measures that may constitute state aid, the preparation of prior notifications, and defense strategies in formal investigation proceedings. We also file complaints on behalf of affected competitors and represent clients in litigation relating to the recovery of unlawful aid before both national courts and European jurisdictions. ### (05) Competition Compliance We design prevention frameworks tailored to sector-specific risks and organizational structures. Each program includes risk mapping, operational codes of conduct, targeted training for exposed teams, and internal alert mechanisms. We conduct regular audits to assess the effectiveness of procedures and identify areas of vulnerability. For businesses subject to the DMA, we integrate transparency, data separation, and non-discrimination obligations into internal processes. These frameworks significantly reduce exposure to sanctions, constitute recognized mitigating factors before authorities, and establish a durable culture of competition law compliance. ### (06) European Digital Regulation (DMA, DSA) We determine, based on thresholds and sectors, which authorities must be engaged and how merger control, FDI, FSR, DMA, and sector-specific regulations interact. We prepare complete filings, verify underlying data, manage exchanges with investigative teams, and coordinate referrals to Brussels where appropriate. For digital platforms, we align merger notification obligations with DMA disclosures and any acquisition restrictions imposed on gatekeepers. We integrate procedural timing into transactional planning. This preparation helps avoid notification failures and the risk of invalid transactions. ### (07) Antitrust Investigations And Litigation We intervene from the earliest stages of dawn raids and unannounced inspections to protect defense rights, supervise internal teams, and manage interactions with authorities. Throughout the proceedings, we defend our clients’ interests in cartel and abuse of dominance investigations, develop legal and economic arguments, and negotiate commitments where appropriate. We also act in disputes involving the application of the Digital Markets Act. ### (08) EU Litigation We represent clients before the Court of Justice of the European Union and the General Court in annulment actions against European Commission decisions, preliminary reference proceedings, and liability claims. In competition matters, we coordinate European litigation with national proceedings to ensure a coherent defense strategy. For companies seeking to challenge regulatory decisions or defend their market position, we design litigation strategies aligned with their business objectives. Collective excellence at the service of the *highest standards.* Team [Nicolas Baverez ( Partner )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/nicolas-baverez/) [Vincent Brenot ( Partner )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/vincent-brenot/) [Emmanuelle Mignon ( Partner )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/emmanuelle-mignon/) [Mathilde Saltiel ( Partner )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/mathilde-saltiel/) [Marc Mossé ( Senior Counsel )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/marc-mosse/) [Laure Maes ( Counsel )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/laure-maes/) [David Zygas ( Counsel )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/david-zygas/) [Charles Maurel ( Senior Associate )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/charles-maurel/) [Guillaume Potin ( Senior Associate )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/guillaume-potin/) [Maëva Ammel ( Associate )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/maeva-ammel/) [Victoire Le Calvez ( Associate )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/victoire-le-calvez/) [Guillaume Sevalle ( Associate )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/guillaume-sevalle/) [Clélie Simeoni ( Associate )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/clelie-simeoni/) Précédent Suivant ## Contact Us 0 ## *Our* References Competition, European Regulation and FDI #### Hospitality Group – DMA Provided strategic advice to a hospitality group and initiated the first complaint before the European Commission under the Digital Markets Act against a major technology company. Competition, European Regulation and FDI #### Services Sector – Antitrust Assisted a leading services company in restructuring its commercial practices and supplier selection processes, including antitrust risk mapping and operational recommendations to ensure compliance with competition law. Competition, European Regulation and FDI #### Construction group – State aid advisory Advising an international construction and infrastructure group on the assessment and compatibility of public measures under EU State aid rules in relation to its investment and development projects. *Rankings* & Recognitions m - (01)Best Lawyers 2027 – France European Law / Competition / Distribution / Consumer - (02)Best Lawyers 2027 – France European Law / Competition / Distribution / Consumer - (03)Forbes 2026 – France Top 40 of CAC 40 lawyers [More distinctions](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/distinctions/?search_tax-expertise%5B%5D=competition-european-regulation-and-fdi) ## *FAQ* ### (01) How does a competition and EU regulation law firm defend companies facing antitrust investigations? Articles 101 and 102 TFEU prohibit cartels and abuses of dominant position in the internal market, with fines of up to 10% of consolidated worldwide turnover. The European Commission and national competition authorities have extensive investigative powers: dawn raids, information requests, access to electronic communications. We defend clients in antitrust proceedings before the Commission and the French Competition Authority: responding to statements of objections, leniency strategies, negotiating commitments and representation before the EU General Court. We also structure upstream compliance programs. ### (02) What obligations does the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR) impose on companies receiving public support from third countries? Regulation (EU) 2022/2560 on foreign subsidies (FSR), applicable since 12 July 2023, requires prior notification to the European Commission for concentrations where the EU turnover of one party reaches EUR 500 million and aggregate foreign financial contributions exceed EUR 50 million over three years. For public procurement, thresholds are set at EUR 250 million contract value and EUR 4 million in foreign contributions. We support clients in assessing their FSR exposure, preparing notifications and engaging with the Commission on foreign investment screening (FDI) procedures. ### (03) How can you secure public aid or state funding under EU State aid rules? Article 108(3) TFEU requires member states to notify the European Commission of any new aid measure before implementation (standstill obligation). Aid granted without prior notification is classified as unlawful aid and may be subject to a recovery order. We advise beneficiary companies and public entities on the qualification of measures under State aid rules, structuring financing to limit reclassification risks and defence in formal investigation procedures before the Commission. We also act in litigation before national courts and the EU General Court. ### (04) How can you comply with the DMA and DSA within the European digital regulation framework? The DMA (Regulation 2022/1925) and DSA (Regulation 2022/2065) impose structural obligations on gatekeepers and online platforms: interoperability, non-discrimination, advertising transparency, content moderation. The European Commission has already opened several non-compliance proceedings with fines of up to 10% of worldwide turnover (DMA) or 6% (DSA). We advise platforms, publishers and business users on their regulatory status, operational compliance and representation before the Commission and EU courts in contentious proceedings. ### (05) Why choose August Debouzy as your law firm for competition, EU regulation and FDI? International groups, investment funds, digital platforms and public enterprises entrust us with their most strategic competition and regulatory challenges. We cover the full spectrum: antitrust, State aid, foreign subsidies (FSR), investment screening (FDI), digital regulation (DMA, DSA) and litigation before French and European courts. Our positioning at the intersection of competition law, EU law and public law enables us to deliver integrated strategies tailored to our clients’ multijurisdictional challenges.