Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Key definition

Investments definition

What does Investments mean? In practice, investments are financial products or rights acquired with the expectation of income or capital growth, such as shares, bonds, fund units and derivatives. In UK financial services law, however, the regulated concept is “specified investments” under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001 (SI 2001/544) (RAO). This defined list includes, among others, shares, debentures and loan stock, government and public securities, warrants, units in a collective investment scheme, options and futures, contracts for differences, and rights under a contract of insurance. Whether a firm must be authorised, may communicate financial promotions, or owes particular...

Spain FDI Screening Regime: Practitioner Guide to Act 19/2003 and Royal Decree 571/2023 covering Scope, Thresholds, Procedures, Exemptions, Standstill, Penalties, EU Cooperation and 2024-2026 Developments

Published by a LexisNexis Competition expert

Practice notes

1. What is the applicable legislation?

Control of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Spain is primarily governed by:

Spanish Act 19/2003 on the legal regime of capital movements and economic transactions abroad (Act 19/2003) (Ley 19/2003, de 4 de julio, sobre régimen jurídico de los movimientos de capitales y de las transacciones económicas con el exterior y sobre determinadas medidas de prevención del blanqueo de capitales); and
Royal Decree 571/2023 of 4 July 2023 on foreign Investments (Real Decreto 571/2023, de 4 de julio de 2023, sobre inversiones exteriores), in force from 1 September 2023, which develops the FDI regimes in Spain.

2. Which government or other body (or bodies) reviews foreign investments?

Under Spain’s FDI regime, procedures are generally overseen by the Directorate General for International Trade and Investments (Subdirectorate of Foreign Investments) of the Ministry for Economy, Trade and Enterprise, together with the Ministry of Defence. These authorities examine the submissions and issue a proposal to the Council of Ministers. In these cases, the Council of Ministers takes the final decision on the deal. Filings on transactions for amounts...

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

Popular documents

Using the Judicial College Guidelines to assess general damages in personal injury claims

When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...

Tomlin orders in England and Wales: CPR guidance on drafting, confidentiality, approval, variation, enforcement, limitation, CCA issues, court-specific requirements, sample wording and precedents

This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...

Precedent: Deed of Surrender of Lease with Optional Premium, Settlement and Release, Landlord, Mortgagee and Guarantor Consents, Reimbursement and HM Land Registry Provisions (England and Wales)

Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...

Precedent Statutory Declaration: Standard Wording under the Statutory Declarations Act 1835

I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...