Investment Policy Monitor
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The Investment Policy Monitor provides the international investment community with up-to-date, country-specific information on recent policy developments affecting foreign direct investment (FDI).
Through its ongoing monitoring of investment policy changes, UNCTAD delivers cutting-edge and forward-looking contributions to investment policy discourse. The Monitor also supports evidence-based policymaking aimed at ensuring that foreign investment contributes to sustainable development. The Monitor also informs the analysis of global and regional investment policy trends featured in the World Investment Report, the Investment Policy Monitor publications and the joint UNCTAD-OECD Reports on G20 Investment Measures.
UNCTAD has tracked changes in national policies affecting FDI on an annual basis since 1992. Over time, the methodology has been revised to enhance the quality and consistency of reporting. The most recent revision, completed in 2024, further refined the monitoring framework and applied the updated classification to policy measures dating back to 2012.
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UNCTAD Investment Policy Monitor The UNCTAD Investment Policy Monitor database compiles official measures affecting FDI adopted by United Nations Member States. These encompass measures explicitly targeting foreign investment (FDI-specific), as well as general investment measures that have a clear impact on such investment (FDI-related).
The measures are either reported directly to UNCTAD by Member States through annual surveys or identified by UNCTAD researchers through publicly accessible sources (such as government websites and specialized policy databases).
The classification of measures as more or less favourable to investors is based solely on their potential impact on investors. The type of measures included in each category are described below. This classification does not reflect any value judgement by UNCTAD on the merit or suitability of the measure.
Classification of the nature of measures
More favourable to investors
Liberalization: includes privatization; lifting of entry restrictions (e.g. opening of sectors to FDI) and entry conditions (e.g. minimum capital requirement); removal (total or partial) of FDI screening or approval mechanisms; lifting of foreign exchange restrictions; liberalization of land access.
Facilitation: includes streamlining of investment procedures (e.g. one-stop shops); greater transparency of investment-related laws and procedures (e.g. information portals); introduction by IPAs and other entities of new services to assist investors (e.g. linkages programmes, investor visa facilitation or alternative dispute resolution mechanisms).
Promotion: includes establishment of IPAs or other institutions with a remit as investment promoters and expansion of their mandate; adoption of investment promotion strategy and plans; introduction of PPPs, auctions, and concessions initiatives or framework; introduction of OFDI promotion initiatives.
Incentives: includes adoption of new tax and financial incentives schemes for investment; introduction of other incentives (e.g. citizenship by investment programmes); adoption of new SEZ-related incentives.
Other regulatory changes: includes enhancement of investor treatment and protection guarantees; easing of labour or migration regulations concerning foreign hires and key personnel; removal of operational restrictions on investment (e.g. local content requirements).
Less favourable to investors
Entry: includes introduction or tightening of entry restrictions (e.g. total or partial ban on FDI in specific sectors); introduction or tightening of entry conditions (e.g. minimum investment threshold, joint venture requirements or State participation in strategic sectors); introduction or expansion of screening mechanisms for national security.
Treatment and operation: includes introduction or expansion of foreign exchange restrictions; introduction or expansion of restrictions on foreign hires and key personnel; removal or reduction of investment incentives; introduction or expansion of post-establishment requirements for local content; reduction of guarantees for investment treatment and protection; introduction or expansion of restrictions on OFDI.
Note: Measures are verified, to the fullest extent possible, by referencing government sources. The compilation of measures is not exhaustive.
Disclaimer: the boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.
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Investment Policy Measures
14 results
Poland
09 May 2024Issues updated guidelines on the FDI screening regime
On 9 May 2024, the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection of Poland (UOKiK) released updated guidelines on the FDI screening regime to improve its clarity and address procedural and practical concerns raised by businesses. These [...]
Poland
12 May 2022Expands and prolongs its FDI screening regime till mid-2025
On 12 May 2022, the President of Poland issued the "Act Amending the Law on Goods and Services Tax and Certain Other Laws". Among other changes, it amended the Covid-19 related FDI screening regime to expand its scope so as to cover [...]
Poland
26 Apr 2022Adopts national sanctions list affecting Russian entities in gas, coal, IT, and manufacturing sectors
On 26 April 2022, the Ministry of the Interior and Administration announced sanctions against the Russian Federation and Belarus, affecting 50 individuals and entities that do business in Poland. These measures are supplementary to [...]
Poland
01 Dec 2020Eases immigration regulations for certain foreign workers
On 1 December 2020, the Regulation of the Minster of Development, Employment and Technology concerning the easing of immigration rules entered into force. It allows foreigners to work in Poland without obtaining work permit in certain [...]
Poland
24 Jun 2020Temporarily extends its FDI screening regime due to the pandemic
On 24 June 2020, a new legislation entered into force extending significantly the FDI screening mechanism in Poland for 24 months. A foreign acquisition from non-EEA countries requires prior clearance from the President of the Polish [...]
Poland
11 Feb 2019Poland introduces financial incentives in audiovisual industry
On 11 February 2019, the Act on Financial Support for Audiovisual Production entered into force. It introduced financial incentives aimed at boosting the Polish audiovisual industry. Although the programme is not directed only to foreign [...]
Poland
10 May 2018Poland adopted new law on the promotion of investments
As an implementation of the Strategy on the Responsible Development of Poland, a new law on the promotion of investments has been adopted by the Parliament and signed by the President. Its main goal is to substitute the existing incentive [...]
Poland
09 Dec 2016Blocks the sale of local heating and electricity assets owned by France's utility EDF for energy security reasons
The Polish Ministry of Energy announced to block the sale of local heating and electricity assets currently owned by France's utility EDF. The decision is based on energy security reasons and is part of a broader strategy to reduce [...]
Poland
14 Apr 2016New rules for the purchase of agricultural and forest land
On 14 April 2016, the Parliament adopted (i) the "Act on Suspending the Acquisition of Properties of the State Treasury Agricultural Resources" and (ii) the "Act on the Change of the Forest Act". The legislation introduces stricter [...]
Poland
24 Jul 2015Parliament adopts legislation concerning the control of investments in strategic sectors
On 24 July the Parliament of Poland adopted the "Act of 24 July 2015 on the control of certain investments". Under the law, any investor planning to buy a stake of 20 percent or higher in a so-called strategic Polish company will need [...]
Poland
05 Jul 2011Promotes FDI in hi-tech sectors
On 5 July 2011, the Council of Ministers adopted the "Programme to support investments of high importance to the Polish economy for 2011-2020" prepared by the Ministry of Economy. The aim of the programme is to increase innovation [...]
Poland
31 May 2011Sells shares of largest coking coal producer
In June, the Government sold its 33 percent stake in Jastrzebska Spolka Weglowa (JSW), the European Union's largest coking coal producer, through an initial public offering on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (WSE). The company was valued [...]
Poland
07 Oct 2010Sold 10 percent of its largest utility (PGE)
The Government of Poland sold 10 percent of its largest utility (PGE) in the open market. [...]
Poland
30 Apr 2010Privatization of insurance company
The Government of Poland, together with Eureko, a Dutch insurer, sold a 30 percent stake in PZU, central Europe's largest insurance company in an 8bn zlotys IPO, the largest in Europe since December 2007. About 20 percent of Poland's [...]
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The Investment Policy Monitor provides the international investment community with up-to-date, country-specific information on recent policy developments affecting foreign direct investment (FDI).
Through its ongoing monitoring of investment policy changes, UNCTAD delivers cutting-edge and forward-looking contributions to investment policy discourse. The Monitor also supports evidence-based policymaking aimed at ensuring that foreign investment contributes to sustainable development. The Monitor also informs the analysis of global and regional investment policy trends featured in the World Investment Report, the Investment Policy Monitor publications and the joint UNCTAD-OECD Reports on G20 Investment Measures.
UNCTAD has tracked changes in national policies affecting FDI on an annual basis since 1992. Over time, the methodology has been revised to enhance the quality and consistency of reporting. The most recent revision, completed in 2024, further refined the monitoring framework and applied the updated classification to policy measures dating back to 2012.
-
UNCTAD Investment Policy Monitor The UNCTAD Investment Policy Monitor database compiles official measures affecting FDI adopted by United Nations Member States. These encompass measures explicitly targeting foreign investment (FDI-specific), as well as general investment measures that have a clear impact on such investment (FDI-related).
The measures are either reported directly to UNCTAD by Member States through annual surveys or identified by UNCTAD researchers through publicly accessible sources (such as government websites and specialized policy databases).
The classification of measures as more or less favourable to investors is based solely on their potential impact on investors. The type of measures included in each category are described below. This classification does not reflect any value judgement by UNCTAD on the merit or suitability of the measure.
Classification of the nature of measures
More favourable to investors
Liberalization: includes privatization; lifting of entry restrictions (e.g. opening of sectors to FDI) and entry conditions (e.g. minimum capital requirement); removal (total or partial) of FDI screening or approval mechanisms; lifting of foreign exchange restrictions; liberalization of land access.
Facilitation: includes streamlining of investment procedures (e.g. one-stop shops); greater transparency of investment-related laws and procedures (e.g. information portals); introduction by IPAs and other entities of new services to assist investors (e.g. linkages programmes, investor visa facilitation or alternative dispute resolution mechanisms).
Promotion: includes establishment of IPAs or other institutions with a remit as investment promoters and expansion of their mandate; adoption of investment promotion strategy and plans; introduction of PPPs, auctions, and concessions initiatives or framework; introduction of OFDI promotion initiatives.
Incentives: includes adoption of new tax and financial incentives schemes for investment; introduction of other incentives (e.g. citizenship by investment programmes); adoption of new SEZ-related incentives.
Other regulatory changes: includes enhancement of investor treatment and protection guarantees; easing of labour or migration regulations concerning foreign hires and key personnel; removal of operational restrictions on investment (e.g. local content requirements).
Less favourable to investors
Entry: includes introduction or tightening of entry restrictions (e.g. total or partial ban on FDI in specific sectors); introduction or tightening of entry conditions (e.g. minimum investment threshold, joint venture requirements or State participation in strategic sectors); introduction or expansion of screening mechanisms for national security.
Treatment and operation: includes introduction or expansion of foreign exchange restrictions; introduction or expansion of restrictions on foreign hires and key personnel; removal or reduction of investment incentives; introduction or expansion of post-establishment requirements for local content; reduction of guarantees for investment treatment and protection; introduction or expansion of restrictions on OFDI.
Note: Measures are verified, to the fullest extent possible, by referencing government sources. The compilation of measures is not exhaustive.
Disclaimer: the boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.
Share
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