Overseas investors are welcome in the UK. Save as set out below, there are no specific laws prohibiting foreign investment in the UK nor are there any business requirements for UK participation in the ownership or management of any business established by foreign investors. Bank accounts may also be held in Pounds Sterling (£) or any foreign currency.

On 29 April 2021, the UK enacted legislation to create an extensive new regime to scrutinise foreign direct investment on national security grounds. The new rules introduce a mandatory notification regime for transactions in certain specified sensitive sectors and a voluntary notification regime for all other sectors. However, the UK Government has emphasised that it expects the new regime to be applied in a targeted and proportionate manner to ensure that the UK remains an attractive destination for overseas investment.

Please see full Alert below more information.