Europe’s evolving geoeconomic landscape has reinforced the need for stronger protections against economic security threats, with foreign investment screening playing a critical role. As a late adopter, Bulgaria has implemented the EU framework with additional conditions, such as thresholds for investment size, capital share, and investor origin. However, the country’s newly adopted screening mechanism remains unused, raising concerns about its effectiveness.

This report examines the development of the EU’s screening framework, Bulgaria’s approach, and the shift from voluntary measures to active enforcement. It assesses the implications of Bulgaria’s current system and outlines key steps to ensure its investment screening mechanism becomes an effective tool for safeguarding Europe’s economic security.