EU Outward Investment Stocks Fall 2.3% in 2025
Net foreign direct investment held by EU residents in non-EU countries declined in 2025, while non-EU investment in the EU also dropped.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Investing
Net foreign direct investment (FDI) stocks held by EU residents in non-EU countries totaled €9 479 billion at the end of 2025, down 2.3% from €9 701 billion in 2024. Investment stocks held by non-EU residents in the EU fell 2.8% over the same period, to €6 988 billion from €7 186 billion.
Why it matters
The decline in cross-border investment stocks in both directions shows a shrinking flow of capital between the EU and the rest of the world. Rest-of-world FDI in the EU has been decreasing since its 2022 peak of €7 878 billion, the highest level since 2013.
The reported figures are net FDI stocks, which measure the cumulative value of investments held abroad rather than new flows during the year. Special Purpose Entities held 26.2% of EU outward FDI stocks and 33.3% of rest-of-world FDI stocks in the EU at the end of 2025.
The players
Eurostat
Eurostat is the statistical office of the European Union, responsible for publishing harmonized economic and financial data across member states.
The details
EU residents' net FDI stocks in non-EU countries and non-EU residents' investment stocks in the EU both declined in 2025 compared with 2024. The United States absorbed 29.4% of EU outward FDI stocks and the United Kingdom absorbed 19.8%, with Switzerland the third-largest destination.
Timeline
2022: Rest-of-world FDI stocks in the EU peaked at €7 878 billion.
2024: Baseline year for the comparisons reported in 2025 figures.
End of 2025: Reference date for the reported stock levels and shares.
Market Dynamics
The 2025 decline continues a downward trend in rest-of-world FDI stocks in the EU recorded in Eurostat's bop_fdi6_pos series since the 2022 peak of €7 878 billion, the highest level since 2013. The reduction in both outward and inward stocks points to a broader contraction in cross-border capital holdings across the EU's external investment relationships.
Investors holding European equities or direct investments abroad may see portfolio exposure shift as cross-border capital holdings contract. The data reflects institutional stock levels rather than individual investor allocations, so direct personal effects are not specified.
The takeaway
Declining cross-border investment stocks signal shifting capital allocation between the EU and its trading partners. Investors tracking global portfolio exposure can use these Eurostat series to monitor changes in direct investment positions over time.
Further reading
For broader context on how cross-border capital flows are tracked, explore Investing.
