On 10 September 2021, an order (arrêté) of the French minister of economy was adopted to extend the list of critical technologies in the strategic sectors definition to include technologies related to renewable energy production. The order (arrêté) also increased the list of information and documentation to be filed with a prior authorization application to comply with the EU regulation dated 19 March 2019, which establishes a framework for the screening of foreign direct investment in the EU. These changes will enter into force as from 1 January 2022.
As part of its tightening on foreign investment rules in France, the French Ministry of Economy further announced that the lowering of the threshold for the acquisition by non-European investors, directly or indirectly, acting alone or in concert, of the voting rights of a listed French entity from 25% to 10% (which was initially set to expire on 31 December 2020 and then on 31 December 2021) is now extended and applicable until 31 December 2022.
