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The compliance iceberg in European acquisitions

Seven people risks from signing to Day 100, and why the Netherlands is the first base.

Get the briefingUnlock a three-page briefing for US acquirers moving to Europe.

Everyone sees the announced deal. Few see the workforce-related risks beneath it.

The announcement names the buyer, the target, the price and the closing date. What sits under this announcement decides whether the deal goes through. Your compliance set-up is what you need to tackle next.

Seven risks between signing and the first 100 days after closing.

  1. 1Closing takes months, and the buyer must keep its hands off
  2. 2The buyer has no European employer of its own
  3. 3Employees are consulted before decisions, not after
  4. 4Dutch employment costs that a US model does not carry
  5. 5People move before the paperwork does
  6. 6New EU rules land in the middle of integration
  7. 7Talent and culture decide whether the deal pays off

What follows signing: Day 1 to 100 and beyond

The briefing divides the buyer's timeline into three chapters.

  1. 1At signing

    A deal buys a company, not an employer.

    In-depth US antitrust reviews averaged 9.9 months in the first half of 2026.

  2. 2Before and at closing

    The team is consulted before the deal is final.

    A Dutch works council, mandatory from 50 employees, has a formal advice right on a transfer of control.

  3. 3To Day 100 and after

    The deal pays off only if the people stay.

    41% of US corporate dealmakers name loss of key talent as a post-merger risk.

Sources: Dechert, DAMITT Q2 2026; Dutch Works Councils Act (WOR), articles 2 and 25; KPMG, 2026 M&A Deal Market Study.

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Three pages, every figure sourced. Page 1 is open below; the rest opens as soon as you send the form.

The compliance iceberg in European acquisitions
Page 1 of the briefing The compliance iceberg in European acquisitions

Pages 2 and 3 open with the form

The seven risks in detail, the country tables and the plan from signing to Day 100.

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General information, not legal or tax advice.

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Beyond the briefing

Octagon Professionals has worked from The Hague since 1987. We act as an acquirer's HR function in Europe until it builds its own, and then hand the work over.

The Part Nobody Announces

People leaders at US companies with a deal in Europe, on what the announcement left out. In their own words.

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Space Tech Expo Europe, 17 to 19 November 2026. Stand 4197.

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