On August 30, 2026, Mexico’s President sent the Senate a proposal to reform the Foreign Investment Law. It would add a national-security review for foreign investors acquiring more than 49% of companies in sensitive sectors.
What the proposal says
- Mandatory filing when a foreign investor acquires more than 49% of a company in a covered sector and above an asset threshold that the Foreign Investment Commission (CNIE) would set within 180 days of publication.
- Covered sectors include energy, transport, health, telecommunications, mining, data, artificial intelligence and semiconductors, among others.
- Timing: 60 business days, extendable by 30. Outcomes: authorisation, mitigation or prohibition.
- Silence means no: a missed deadline would count as a denial.
- Fines from 5,000 to 200,000 UMA for non-compliance.
What to do now
If you are negotiating an acquisition or a capital increase in a Mexican company in one of these sectors, build a possible review into your deal timeline and closing conditions, and consider whether a minority stake or a staged structure fits your goals.
Status as of October 8, 2026: proposal pending in the Senate. It is not law yet and its terms may change.
Sources: Foley & Lardner, “Proposed reform to Mexico’s Foreign Investment Law: national security screening for investments in sensitive sectors” (September 9, 2026); Pérez-Llorca. This note is general information, not legal advice.
