State Aid Law Blog

State Aid Uncovered Blog

On a weekly basis Phedon Nicolaides posts critical analysis pieces on the latest State aid judgments and decisions on his blog State Aid Uncovered. Each article presents the main points of a court ruling or Commission‘s decision, places them in the context of similar case law or practice, assesses the underlying reasoning, and identifies any inconsistencies or contradictions.
Occasional guest blog posts by other State aid experts complement the State aid knowledge hub.

Join the debate now!

Professor at Maastricht University; Professor at University of Nicosia, and Academic Director at Lexxion Training

- Article 107(1) TFEU ×

26. July 2016  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Compatible State Aid May Have Negative Effects on some Market Operators
State Aid Blogs - m 22 1
The existence of market failure is not necessary for aid to be declared compatible under Article 107(3). Market failure does not mean that the market is completely unable to supply a good or service. State aid aiming to remedy market failure may be compatible with the internal market even if it has a negative impact on some market operators.   […]
read more
No Comments
5. April 2016  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Local Infrastructure
State Aid Blogs - StateAidHub blogpost47 Finance lexxion GBER SMEs
Public funding of local infrastructure is not State aid when the responsibility for the infrastructure falls within the remit of public authorities, it is not commercially exploited, it is open to all users, it is not intended to support the needs of any particular undertaking and any benefits to any undertaking are incidental.   Introduction Even since the adoption of […]
read more
No Comments
16. February 2016  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

The Boundaries of Non-Economic Infrastructure and the Limits of the Funding Gap Method
State Aid Blogs - m 35 1
Public funding of assets which are used exclusively by certain undertakings constitutes State aid. If the state chooses to fund certain assets or activities, then it must do so consistently in all regions and in relation to all affected undertakings.   Introduction A typical mission of the state is to provide public goods. Normally public funding of public goods is […]
read more
No Comments
2. February 2016  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Possible Advantage from the Exclusive Use of Public-Funded Infrastructure
State Aid Blogs - m 37
The exclusive use of a public asset or an asset funded by public money may confer an advantage in the meaning of Article 107(1) TFEU if several competitors express their interest to use the same asset.   Introduction As public authorities are becoming more aware that placing public assets at the disposal of undertakings can involve State aid, they increasingly […]
read more
No Comments
16. November 2015  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Special Tax Treatment to Alleviate Structural Disadvantages
State Aid Blogs -
Favourable tax treatment to alleviate “structural disadvantages” suffered by certain companies is a selective measure that falls within the scope of Article 107(1).   Introduction Member States use taxes not just to raise revenue but also as instruments of public policy. They impose taxes on activities they want to discourage [e.g. smoking, driving] and they relieve from taxes activities they […]
read more
No Comments
15. September 2015  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Compensation for Public Service Obligations and Compensation for Damage
State Aid Blogs - m 6 3
Compensation for public service obligations is compatible with the internal market when, at minimum, a PSO is well defined in an entrustment constituting an official act of a public authority, the revenues and costs of the PSO are clearly identified and separated from other commercial activities and the compensation does not exceed the net extra costs of the PSO. Compensation […]
read more
No Comments
25. August 2015  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

The Challenge of Calculating a Market Price
State Aid Blogs - m 10 2
The market price of land or buildings can be determined via auction, expert valuation or other appropriate methods.   Introduction On 16 July 2015, the Court of Justice delivered its judgment in case C‑39/14, BVVG Bodenverwertungs- und -verwaltungs GmbH [BVVG] v Landkreis Jerichower Land in Germany.[1] The judgment was in response to a request for a preliminary ruling concerning a dispute […]
read more
1 Comment
13. April 2015  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

PART II: Green Electricity and Reduction of Energy Taxes for Energy-Intensive Users
State Aid Blogs - m 27 1
Part II: Support of electricity production from renewable energy sources is normally compatible with the internal market. Reduction of taxes on electricity used by energy-intensive industries is allowed only for certain sectors exposed to international trade and only when they bear a certain cost. Taxes on imported electricity normally infringe free-trade and non-discrimination provisions, unless commensurate benefits are extended to […]
read more
No Comments
26. January 2015  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Non-Commercial Public Infrastructure: Another Judgment, More Questions
State Aid Blogs - m 23 2
Public infrastructure which is not exploited for commercial purposes does not result in an advantage for its users. Undertakings which are subject to different regulatory requirements can be treated differently. Cross-border trade can be affected even when there is no direct provision of cross-border services.   Introduction The Leipzig-Halle judgment of 2011 was a shock to public funding of infrastructure […]
read more
3 Comments
« Previous Page

- Article 107(1) TFEU ×

26. July 2016  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Compatible State Aid May Have Negative Effects on some Market Operators
State Aid Blogs - m 22 1
The existence of market failure is not necessary for aid to be declared compatible under Article 107(3). Market failure does not mean that the market is completely unable to supply a good or service. State aid aiming to remedy market failure may be compatible with the internal market even if it has a negative impact on some market operators.   […]
read more
No Comments
5. April 2016  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Local Infrastructure
State Aid Blogs - StateAidHub blogpost47 Finance lexxion GBER SMEs
Public funding of local infrastructure is not State aid when the responsibility for the infrastructure falls within the remit of public authorities, it is not commercially exploited, it is open to all users, it is not intended to support the needs of any particular undertaking and any benefits to any undertaking are incidental.   Introduction Even since the adoption of […]
read more
No Comments
16. February 2016  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

The Boundaries of Non-Economic Infrastructure and the Limits of the Funding Gap Method
State Aid Blogs - m 35 1
Public funding of assets which are used exclusively by certain undertakings constitutes State aid. If the state chooses to fund certain assets or activities, then it must do so consistently in all regions and in relation to all affected undertakings.   Introduction A typical mission of the state is to provide public goods. Normally public funding of public goods is […]
read more
No Comments
2. February 2016  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Possible Advantage from the Exclusive Use of Public-Funded Infrastructure
State Aid Blogs - m 37
The exclusive use of a public asset or an asset funded by public money may confer an advantage in the meaning of Article 107(1) TFEU if several competitors express their interest to use the same asset.   Introduction As public authorities are becoming more aware that placing public assets at the disposal of undertakings can involve State aid, they increasingly […]
read more
No Comments
16. November 2015  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Special Tax Treatment to Alleviate Structural Disadvantages
State Aid Blogs -
Favourable tax treatment to alleviate “structural disadvantages” suffered by certain companies is a selective measure that falls within the scope of Article 107(1).   Introduction Member States use taxes not just to raise revenue but also as instruments of public policy. They impose taxes on activities they want to discourage [e.g. smoking, driving] and they relieve from taxes activities they […]
read more
No Comments
15. September 2015  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Compensation for Public Service Obligations and Compensation for Damage
State Aid Blogs - m 6 3
Compensation for public service obligations is compatible with the internal market when, at minimum, a PSO is well defined in an entrustment constituting an official act of a public authority, the revenues and costs of the PSO are clearly identified and separated from other commercial activities and the compensation does not exceed the net extra costs of the PSO. Compensation […]
read more
No Comments
25. August 2015  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

The Challenge of Calculating a Market Price
State Aid Blogs - m 10 2
The market price of land or buildings can be determined via auction, expert valuation or other appropriate methods.   Introduction On 16 July 2015, the Court of Justice delivered its judgment in case C‑39/14, BVVG Bodenverwertungs- und -verwaltungs GmbH [BVVG] v Landkreis Jerichower Land in Germany.[1] The judgment was in response to a request for a preliminary ruling concerning a dispute […]
read more
1 Comment
13. April 2015  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

PART II: Green Electricity and Reduction of Energy Taxes for Energy-Intensive Users
State Aid Blogs - m 27 1
Part II: Support of electricity production from renewable energy sources is normally compatible with the internal market. Reduction of taxes on electricity used by energy-intensive industries is allowed only for certain sectors exposed to international trade and only when they bear a certain cost. Taxes on imported electricity normally infringe free-trade and non-discrimination provisions, unless commensurate benefits are extended to […]
read more
No Comments
26. January 2015  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Non-Commercial Public Infrastructure: Another Judgment, More Questions
State Aid Blogs - m 23 2
Public infrastructure which is not exploited for commercial purposes does not result in an advantage for its users. Undertakings which are subject to different regulatory requirements can be treated differently. Cross-border trade can be affected even when there is no direct provision of cross-border services.   Introduction The Leipzig-Halle judgment of 2011 was a shock to public funding of infrastructure […]
read more
3 Comments
« Previous Page

- Article 107(1) TFEU ×

26. July 2016  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Compatible State Aid May Have Negative Effects on some Market Operators
State Aid Blogs - m 22 1
The existence of market failure is not necessary for aid to be declared compatible under Article 107(3). Market failure does not mean that the market is completely unable to supply a good or service. State aid aiming to remedy market failure may be compatible with the internal market even if it has a negative impact on some market operators.   […]
read more
No Comments
5. April 2016  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Local Infrastructure
State Aid Blogs - StateAidHub blogpost47 Finance lexxion GBER SMEs
Public funding of local infrastructure is not State aid when the responsibility for the infrastructure falls within the remit of public authorities, it is not commercially exploited, it is open to all users, it is not intended to support the needs of any particular undertaking and any benefits to any undertaking are incidental.   Introduction Even since the adoption of […]
read more
No Comments
16. February 2016  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

The Boundaries of Non-Economic Infrastructure and the Limits of the Funding Gap Method
State Aid Blogs - m 35 1
Public funding of assets which are used exclusively by certain undertakings constitutes State aid. If the state chooses to fund certain assets or activities, then it must do so consistently in all regions and in relation to all affected undertakings.   Introduction A typical mission of the state is to provide public goods. Normally public funding of public goods is […]
read more
No Comments
2. February 2016  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Possible Advantage from the Exclusive Use of Public-Funded Infrastructure
State Aid Blogs - m 37
The exclusive use of a public asset or an asset funded by public money may confer an advantage in the meaning of Article 107(1) TFEU if several competitors express their interest to use the same asset.   Introduction As public authorities are becoming more aware that placing public assets at the disposal of undertakings can involve State aid, they increasingly […]
read more
No Comments
16. November 2015  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Special Tax Treatment to Alleviate Structural Disadvantages
State Aid Blogs -
Favourable tax treatment to alleviate “structural disadvantages” suffered by certain companies is a selective measure that falls within the scope of Article 107(1).   Introduction Member States use taxes not just to raise revenue but also as instruments of public policy. They impose taxes on activities they want to discourage [e.g. smoking, driving] and they relieve from taxes activities they […]
read more
No Comments
15. September 2015  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Compensation for Public Service Obligations and Compensation for Damage
State Aid Blogs - m 6 3
Compensation for public service obligations is compatible with the internal market when, at minimum, a PSO is well defined in an entrustment constituting an official act of a public authority, the revenues and costs of the PSO are clearly identified and separated from other commercial activities and the compensation does not exceed the net extra costs of the PSO. Compensation […]
read more
No Comments
25. August 2015  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

The Challenge of Calculating a Market Price
State Aid Blogs - m 10 2
The market price of land or buildings can be determined via auction, expert valuation or other appropriate methods.   Introduction On 16 July 2015, the Court of Justice delivered its judgment in case C‑39/14, BVVG Bodenverwertungs- und -verwaltungs GmbH [BVVG] v Landkreis Jerichower Land in Germany.[1] The judgment was in response to a request for a preliminary ruling concerning a dispute […]
read more
1 Comment
13. April 2015  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

PART II: Green Electricity and Reduction of Energy Taxes for Energy-Intensive Users
State Aid Blogs - m 27 1
Part II: Support of electricity production from renewable energy sources is normally compatible with the internal market. Reduction of taxes on electricity used by energy-intensive industries is allowed only for certain sectors exposed to international trade and only when they bear a certain cost. Taxes on imported electricity normally infringe free-trade and non-discrimination provisions, unless commensurate benefits are extended to […]
read more
No Comments
26. January 2015  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Non-Commercial Public Infrastructure: Another Judgment, More Questions
State Aid Blogs - m 23 2
Public infrastructure which is not exploited for commercial purposes does not result in an advantage for its users. Undertakings which are subject to different regulatory requirements can be treated differently. Cross-border trade can be affected even when there is no direct provision of cross-border services.   Introduction The Leipzig-Halle judgment of 2011 was a shock to public funding of infrastructure […]
read more
3 Comments
« Previous Page

How to Submit a Blog Post

Do you want to share your analysis of a State aid law topic? We invite you to submit your post on, for example: recent European, national or international judgments or legislation with relevance to EU State aid law; new developments, publications, hot topics in EU State aid law. The recommended length of the post is 500-2,000 words incl. references (endnotes). Your analysis will be published under the category ‘Guest State Aid Blog’.

Here’s how you can publish a post on the Blog as a guest author:

Step 1: Submit your draft to Nelly Stratieva at stratieva@lexxion.eu.

Step 2: We at Lexxion will review your draft to make sure its content and quality fit the blog. If needed, they will suggest what improvements you should make.

Step 3: Once your draft has been finalised and accepted, we will publish your post.

Submit your guest blog post

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