State Aid Law Blog

State Aid Uncovered Blog

In Lexxion’s State Aid Uncovered blog, Prof. Phedon Nicolaides publishes weekly critical analyses of recent State aid judgments and decisions. Each post presents the key points of a court judgment or EU Commission decision, places it in the context of similar case law or practice, assesses the underlying reasoning and highlights any inconsistencies or contradictions.

Guest contributions from other State aid experts will also be published on the blog at irregular intervals to complement the content of the blog posts.

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T 398/21 ×

12. August 2025  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Linked Enterprises through Relationships between Natural Persons
State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered photos 63
Introduction A perennial issue facing aid-granting authorities is whether the aid applicants are SMEs. A mis-assessment of the SME status can have dire consequences as demonstrated by a Commission decision in May 2025 concerning State aid granted by Germany to sawmill Abalon Hardwood Hessen [AHH] [SA.24030]. The Commission found the aid to be incompatible with the internal market and ordered […]
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3. November 2020  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

The Concept of SME, Indirect Control by Public Bodies and New Problems for Public Universities and Research Organisations
State Aid Blogs - columns 5135499 1920
I am grateful to Peter Staviczky for comments on an earlier draft. A company that is owned by more than 25% by public bodies is not considered to be an SME, regardless of whether those public bodies actually exercise direct or indirect control. A public university can be a public body. Temporary Framework Update: Number of approved and published covid-19 […]
read more
No Comments

T 398/21 ×

12. August 2025  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Linked Enterprises through Relationships between Natural Persons
State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered photos 63
Introduction A perennial issue facing aid-granting authorities is whether the aid applicants are SMEs. A mis-assessment of the SME status can have dire consequences as demonstrated by a Commission decision in May 2025 concerning State aid granted by Germany to sawmill Abalon Hardwood Hessen [AHH] [SA.24030]. The Commission found the aid to be incompatible with the internal market and ordered […]
read more
No Comments
3. November 2020  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

The Concept of SME, Indirect Control by Public Bodies and New Problems for Public Universities and Research Organisations
State Aid Blogs - columns 5135499 1920
I am grateful to Peter Staviczky for comments on an earlier draft. A company that is owned by more than 25% by public bodies is not considered to be an SME, regardless of whether those public bodies actually exercise direct or indirect control. A public university can be a public body. Temporary Framework Update: Number of approved and published covid-19 […]
read more
No Comments

T 398/21 ×

12. August 2025  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Linked Enterprises through Relationships between Natural Persons
State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered photos 63
Introduction A perennial issue facing aid-granting authorities is whether the aid applicants are SMEs. A mis-assessment of the SME status can have dire consequences as demonstrated by a Commission decision in May 2025 concerning State aid granted by Germany to sawmill Abalon Hardwood Hessen [AHH] [SA.24030]. The Commission found the aid to be incompatible with the internal market and ordered […]
read more
No Comments
3. November 2020  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

The Concept of SME, Indirect Control by Public Bodies and New Problems for Public Universities and Research Organisations
State Aid Blogs - columns 5135499 1920
I am grateful to Peter Staviczky for comments on an earlier draft. A company that is owned by more than 25% by public bodies is not considered to be an SME, regardless of whether those public bodies actually exercise direct or indirect control. A public university can be a public body. Temporary Framework Update: Number of approved and published covid-19 […]
read more
No Comments

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