On July 2, 2019, the Bureau of Economic Analysis released the 2018 numbers for foreign direct investment (FDI) in the US. Total 2018 FDI was $273 billion and of that figure, European investors accounted for $116 billion or roughly 42% of the total of FDI. This figure also makes Europe the number one region on the globe for investment value in the US.

Getting started on a US acquisition or “greenfield” project in the US can be daunting for the first-time European investor. This paper provides guidance for European businesses investing in the US. We describe the key decisions the European investor must make regarding the location and structure of the US investment and include general guidance on managing the US taxation of the investment. It is hoped this information will also be the basis for seeking further advisory contact.