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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1. July 2025 | State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Commission Approves State Aid after a Project Has Started

State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered photos 57

Introduction A fundamental rule of State aid is that no aid may be granted after a project has already started. This rule is repeated in every Commission regulation or set of guidelines. Aid to a project that has already started lacks incentive effect and as such it is a pure waste of public money. However, in December 2022, the Court […]

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21. May 2024 | State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Authorisation of State Aid after the Start of a Project

State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered photos 13

Introduction In June 2021, the European Commission, in decision SA.55526, approved an amount of EUR 167 million of State aid for the construction and operation of a liquefied natural gas [LNG] terminal close to Alexandroupolis in northern Greece. In December 2022, Greece notified a measure involving additional State aid of EUR 106 million for the same project. The Commission authorised […]

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14. November 2023 | State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Start of Works

State Aid Blogs - Untitled design 27

Introduction Perhaps the most important criterion for the compatibility of State aid with the internal market is the incentive effect. This means that State aid is capable of changing the behaviour of the recipient undertaking. State aid is normally considered not to have an incentive effect when the recipient undertaking is already committed to launch a project or has already […]

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- start of works ×

1. July 2025 | State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Commission Approves State Aid after a Project Has Started

State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered photos 57

Introduction A fundamental rule of State aid is that no aid may be granted after a project has already started. This rule is repeated in every Commission regulation or set of guidelines. Aid to a project that has already started lacks incentive effect and as such it is a pure waste of public money. However, in December 2022, the Court […]

No Comments

21. May 2024 | State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Authorisation of State Aid after the Start of a Project

State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered photos 13

Introduction In June 2021, the European Commission, in decision SA.55526, approved an amount of EUR 167 million of State aid for the construction and operation of a liquefied natural gas [LNG] terminal close to Alexandroupolis in northern Greece. In December 2022, Greece notified a measure involving additional State aid of EUR 106 million for the same project. The Commission authorised […]

No Comments

14. November 2023 | State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Start of Works

State Aid Blogs - Untitled design 27

Introduction Perhaps the most important criterion for the compatibility of State aid with the internal market is the incentive effect. This means that State aid is capable of changing the behaviour of the recipient undertaking. State aid is normally considered not to have an incentive effect when the recipient undertaking is already committed to launch a project or has already […]

No Comments

- start of works ×

1. July 2025 | State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Commission Approves State Aid after a Project Has Started

State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered photos 57

Introduction A fundamental rule of State aid is that no aid may be granted after a project has already started. This rule is repeated in every Commission regulation or set of guidelines. Aid to a project that has already started lacks incentive effect and as such it is a pure waste of public money. However, in December 2022, the Court […]

No Comments

21. May 2024 | State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Authorisation of State Aid after the Start of a Project

State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered photos 13

Introduction In June 2021, the European Commission, in decision SA.55526, approved an amount of EUR 167 million of State aid for the construction and operation of a liquefied natural gas [LNG] terminal close to Alexandroupolis in northern Greece. In December 2022, Greece notified a measure involving additional State aid of EUR 106 million for the same project. The Commission authorised […]

No Comments

14. November 2023 | State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Start of Works

State Aid Blogs - Untitled design 27

Introduction Perhaps the most important criterion for the compatibility of State aid with the internal market is the incentive effect. This means that State aid is capable of changing the behaviour of the recipient undertaking. State aid is normally considered not to have an incentive effect when the recipient undertaking is already committed to launch a project or has already […]

No Comments

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