The scope of the Swedish FDI Act is expanded – is your business affected?

Charging infrastructure and energy storage – a new addition

A completely new type of activity is the provision of vehicle charging services. The regulations cover publicly accessible charging stations with an output of at least 50 kW, as well as charging at public sector bodies and private entities conducting security-sensitive activities. In addition, the production, import and wholesale of solar cells, inverters and batteries for solar and energy storage installations are regulated as separate essential activities. For operators active in charging, energy storage and renewable energy who are reorganising or seeking financing, it is therefore important to take the FDI Act into account at an early stage.

Biotechnological research – an expanded and revised provision

The previous provision on biotechnological research and development has been fundamentally revised. One new feature is that doctoral education within the relevant fields is now expressly included – which was not apparent from the previous regulations. The list of relevant technologies is also replaced by a new list that includes, among other things, gene modification, genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, bioinformatics, metabolomics, gene drives, synthetic biology, protein and peptide synthesis, and vaccine development. The change means that more businesses – including universities and research institutions conducting doctoral programmes in these areas – may now be considered to be engaged in protected activities. Simultaneously, clearer exemptions are introduced for research that lacks biosecurity relevance and does not entail a biological risk. Companies and institutions active in life sciences and academia should assess whether the updated provision affects their operations.

Property management – restructuring and additions

Chapter 12 on property management has been revised and cross-references other chapters of the regulations in certain respects. Properties now additionally qualifying as ‘essential’ include, among others, premises for maritime surveillance, certain civil defence shelters, pre-hospital emergency care, and rock-cavity facilities. Property companies and property managers should map which tenants and operations may give rise to a notification obligation for investors investing in the property company or manager.

Manufacturing – several new categories

Chapter 3 on manufacturing gains a number of new types of activity. Notable additions include the production of solar cells, inverters and batteries for solar and energy storage installations, the manufacture of cement, concrete and bitumen, and the production of copper, iron, steel and ferroalloys. The same applies to the manufacture of steel products such as pipes, tubes, hollow profiles and steel wire. The manufacture of cable and electronic equipment for electronic communications networks, as well as hardware and software for IT managed services, are also added as separate items.

Other changes in brief

Minerals: Extraction of peat is added to the existing list.

Transport: Passenger and freight transport by rail now constitutes a separate type of activity. Management of road traffic management and rail traffic management services is added, as is a separate provision on unmanned aircraft and vehicles (drones) supplied to emergency preparedness authorities and security-sensitive operations.

Trade: Import and wholesale of personal protective equipment, shelter components, and solar cells/batteries are new categories. Trade in petroleum products intended for asphalt production is also added.

Construction and installation: The installation and operation of backup power at public and security-sensitive operations is a new activity of societal importance.

Finance: The concept of credit institution is broadened – the requirement that the institution must belong to the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority's (Sw. Finansinspektionen) supervisory category 1 or 2 is removed, meaning that more banks and credit institutions may now be covered.

What should you do now?

15 July 2026 is imminent, and investments completed on or after that date will be subject to the new regulations. Operations that fall within scope must ensure that notification to ISP is made in time – an investment, reorganisation or new establishment in a protected activity cannot be carried out without ISP's approval. Please do not hesitate to contact one of Advokatfirman Lindahl's experts if you would like to know whether your business is affected by the new regulations.