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.

- Net Avoided Cost Methodology ×

18. March 2025 | State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Compensation for the Net Cost of Providing Postal Services

State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered photos 42

Introduction Significant changes have occurred in the postal sector across Europe. Partly as a result of the covid-19 pandemic and partly due to technological evolution, letter deliveries have declined precipitously while parcel deliveries have increased substantially. At the same time digital mail has become ubiquitous. For example, in early March 2025, NordPost, the postal incumbent in Denmark and Sweden announced […]

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29. October 2024 | State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

An Unusual SGEI

State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered photos 16

Introduction Member States are free to determine what the regard as a service of general economic interest [SGEI]. The Commission may only check whether the definition is free of manifest error and that any compensation that is provided conforms with the conditions laid down in the 2012 SGEI package. Member States commit a manifest error when they designate as SGEI […]

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15. December 2020 | State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

The Law, Economics and Art of Compensation for Public Service Obligations

State Aid Blogs - post sign 1893086 1920 1

State aid in the form of compensation for public service obligations must exclude any intangible benefits from the obligation, but may include reasonable profit. The Commission guidelines for State aid in agriculture and forestry, the block exemption regulations covering agriculture, forestry, fishery and aquaculture, and the Regulation on de minimis aid for fishery and aquaculture have been prolonged to 31 […]

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- Net Avoided Cost Methodology ×

18. March 2025 | State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Compensation for the Net Cost of Providing Postal Services

State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered photos 42

Introduction Significant changes have occurred in the postal sector across Europe. Partly as a result of the covid-19 pandemic and partly due to technological evolution, letter deliveries have declined precipitously while parcel deliveries have increased substantially. At the same time digital mail has become ubiquitous. For example, in early March 2025, NordPost, the postal incumbent in Denmark and Sweden announced […]

No Comments

29. October 2024 | State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

An Unusual SGEI

State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered photos 16

Introduction Member States are free to determine what the regard as a service of general economic interest [SGEI]. The Commission may only check whether the definition is free of manifest error and that any compensation that is provided conforms with the conditions laid down in the 2012 SGEI package. Member States commit a manifest error when they designate as SGEI […]

No Comments

15. December 2020 | State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

The Law, Economics and Art of Compensation for Public Service Obligations

State Aid Blogs - post sign 1893086 1920 1

State aid in the form of compensation for public service obligations must exclude any intangible benefits from the obligation, but may include reasonable profit. The Commission guidelines for State aid in agriculture and forestry, the block exemption regulations covering agriculture, forestry, fishery and aquaculture, and the Regulation on de minimis aid for fishery and aquaculture have been prolonged to 31 […]

No Comments

- Net Avoided Cost Methodology ×

18. March 2025 | State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Compensation for the Net Cost of Providing Postal Services

State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered photos 42

Introduction Significant changes have occurred in the postal sector across Europe. Partly as a result of the covid-19 pandemic and partly due to technological evolution, letter deliveries have declined precipitously while parcel deliveries have increased substantially. At the same time digital mail has become ubiquitous. For example, in early March 2025, NordPost, the postal incumbent in Denmark and Sweden announced […]

No Comments

29. October 2024 | State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

An Unusual SGEI

State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered photos 16

Introduction Member States are free to determine what the regard as a service of general economic interest [SGEI]. The Commission may only check whether the definition is free of manifest error and that any compensation that is provided conforms with the conditions laid down in the 2012 SGEI package. Member States commit a manifest error when they designate as SGEI […]

No Comments

15. December 2020 | State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

The Law, Economics and Art of Compensation for Public Service Obligations

State Aid Blogs - post sign 1893086 1920 1

State aid in the form of compensation for public service obligations must exclude any intangible benefits from the obligation, but may include reasonable profit. The Commission guidelines for State aid in agriculture and forestry, the block exemption regulations covering agriculture, forestry, fishery and aquaculture, and the Regulation on de minimis aid for fishery and aquaculture have been prolonged to 31 […]

No Comments

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