On 19 December 2025, SWI PRL announced it passed Lex China to control investments; screening law is intended to prevent takeovers that endanger public order or security.
Background
The Investment Screening Act requires pre-acquisition approval of a transaction if:
- a foreign state-controlled investor (includes legal entities directly/indirectly controlled by a foreign state body). Acquisitions by private foreign investors are not included;
- acquires direct/indirect control of an entity that is registered in the Swiss Commercial Register;
- in a critical sector: only acquisitions of domestic companies operating in defined sectors where specific turnover thresholds are met are in scope.
The Investment Screening Act is not expected to enter into force before 2027.
