Guidance

National Security and Investment Act: the 17 types of notifiable acquisitions

Types of acquisitions that can be classed as a 'notifiable acquisition' under the National Security and Investment Act.

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Details

The National Security and Investment Act allows the government to scrutinise and intervene in certain acquisitions made by anyone, including businesses and investors, that could harm the UK’s national security.

Subject to certain criteria, businesses and investors are legally required to tell the government about acquisitions of certain entities in 17 sensitive areas of the economy (called ‘notifiable acquisitions’). This document provides guidance on types of acquisitions that can be classed as a notifiable acquisition.

You should also read the guidance on the rules under the National Security and Investment Act to understand the wider rules around acquisitions.

Published 15 November 2021
Last updated 6 February 2024 + show all updates
  1. Updated the contact email address for investment screening

  2. Updated the document: National Security and Investment Act: details of the 17 types of notifiable acquisitions

  3. Downstream oil details updated.

  4. The National Security and Investment (NSI) Act came into force on 4 January 2022. The new rules have now started and the National Security and Investment notification service is open.

  5. First published.