Europäisches Beihilfenrecht 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

- Altmark condition ×

6. August 2019 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Transport: Airlines and Bus Operators

State Aid Blogs - StateAidHub blogpost31 Stateaid transport

For investment aid to the operator of an airport to be considered as indirect aid to airlines, there must be an inseparable link between the aid and beneficiary airlines. For a competitor to claim that it is harmed by State aid, it must prove that its position in the relevant market is substantially affected. Ensuring that the costs of public […]

Keine Kommentare

4. Juni 2019 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Not Every Compensation Is a Compensation in the Meaning of Altmark

State Aid Blogs - StateAidHub blogpost22 electricity Altmark SGEI

Regulation and licensing do not constitute obligations for the provision of an SGEI. Compensation for changes in public policy is not compensation that complies with the Altmark conditions. Introduction The calculation of the compensation for the net extra costs of public service obligations [PSO] is a difficult task. On 15 May 2019, in case C-706/17, Achema et al v Lithuania […]

Ein Kommentar

9. November 2018 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Using the Correct Methodology to Calculate Public Service Compensation

State Aid Blogs - stellrweb djb1whucfBY unsplash

Compensation for the extra costs of a public service obligation may include a reasonable profit that reflects the risk borne by the provider of the public service. Introduction The calculation of the amount of compensation for the extra costs of public service obligations can be difficult and tricky. In the absence of such calculation, aid to providers of […]

Keine Kommentare

28. August 2018 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Public Service Compensation

State Aid Blogs - SAH blogpost34 PublicCompensation SGEI

Compensation for the provision of public services may not exceed the avoidable cost minus any forgone revenue from not having to provide those services. The VAT exemption for postal services is not State aid because it is laid down in the EU VAT directive and therefore cannot be attributed to Member States. Introduction This article reviews Commission decision on […]

Keine Kommentare

28. März 2017 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Altmark Requires Efficiency; Article 106(2) TFEU Does Not!

State Aid Blogs - m 26

The provider of a service of general economic interest does not have to be more efficient than the “typical undertaking” in its sector. Introduction On 8 March 2017, the Court of Justice rendered its judgment in case C‑660/15 P Viasat Broadcasting v European Commission.[1] Viasat Broadcasting appealed against the judgment of the General Court of 24 September 2015 in […]

Keine Kommentare

14. Dezember 2015 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Altmark, again!

State Aid Blogs - m 5 2

Sectoral regulation is not the same as definition of public service obligation. Aid that favours a certain technology is incompatible with the internal market, unless it can be objectively justified. Introduction “Altmark” has become a permanent feature in the landscape of State aid. Its application was again one of the main issues of contention in six judgments rendered by […]

Ein Kommentar

- Altmark condition ×

6. August 2019 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Transport: Airlines and Bus Operators

State Aid Blogs - StateAidHub blogpost31 Stateaid transport

For investment aid to the operator of an airport to be considered as indirect aid to airlines, there must be an inseparable link between the aid and beneficiary airlines. For a competitor to claim that it is harmed by State aid, it must prove that its position in the relevant market is substantially affected. Ensuring that the costs of public […]

Keine Kommentare

4. Juni 2019 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Not Every Compensation Is a Compensation in the Meaning of Altmark

State Aid Blogs - StateAidHub blogpost22 electricity Altmark SGEI

Regulation and licensing do not constitute obligations for the provision of an SGEI. Compensation for changes in public policy is not compensation that complies with the Altmark conditions. Introduction The calculation of the compensation for the net extra costs of public service obligations [PSO] is a difficult task. On 15 May 2019, in case C-706/17, Achema et al v Lithuania […]

Ein Kommentar

9. November 2018 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Using the Correct Methodology to Calculate Public Service Compensation

State Aid Blogs - stellrweb djb1whucfBY unsplash

Compensation for the extra costs of a public service obligation may include a reasonable profit that reflects the risk borne by the provider of the public service. Introduction The calculation of the amount of compensation for the extra costs of public service obligations can be difficult and tricky. In the absence of such calculation, aid to providers of […]

Keine Kommentare

28. August 2018 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Public Service Compensation

State Aid Blogs - SAH blogpost34 PublicCompensation SGEI

Compensation for the provision of public services may not exceed the avoidable cost minus any forgone revenue from not having to provide those services. The VAT exemption for postal services is not State aid because it is laid down in the EU VAT directive and therefore cannot be attributed to Member States. Introduction This article reviews Commission decision on […]

Keine Kommentare

28. März 2017 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Altmark Requires Efficiency; Article 106(2) TFEU Does Not!

State Aid Blogs - m 26

The provider of a service of general economic interest does not have to be more efficient than the “typical undertaking” in its sector. Introduction On 8 March 2017, the Court of Justice rendered its judgment in case C‑660/15 P Viasat Broadcasting v European Commission.[1] Viasat Broadcasting appealed against the judgment of the General Court of 24 September 2015 in […]

Keine Kommentare

14. Dezember 2015 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Altmark, again!

State Aid Blogs - m 5 2

Sectoral regulation is not the same as definition of public service obligation. Aid that favours a certain technology is incompatible with the internal market, unless it can be objectively justified. Introduction “Altmark” has become a permanent feature in the landscape of State aid. Its application was again one of the main issues of contention in six judgments rendered by […]

Ein Kommentar

- Altmark condition ×

6. August 2019 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Transport: Airlines and Bus Operators

State Aid Blogs - StateAidHub blogpost31 Stateaid transport

For investment aid to the operator of an airport to be considered as indirect aid to airlines, there must be an inseparable link between the aid and beneficiary airlines. For a competitor to claim that it is harmed by State aid, it must prove that its position in the relevant market is substantially affected. Ensuring that the costs of public […]

Keine Kommentare

4. Juni 2019 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Not Every Compensation Is a Compensation in the Meaning of Altmark

State Aid Blogs - StateAidHub blogpost22 electricity Altmark SGEI

Regulation and licensing do not constitute obligations for the provision of an SGEI. Compensation for changes in public policy is not compensation that complies with the Altmark conditions. Introduction The calculation of the compensation for the net extra costs of public service obligations [PSO] is a difficult task. On 15 May 2019, in case C-706/17, Achema et al v Lithuania […]

Ein Kommentar

9. November 2018 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Using the Correct Methodology to Calculate Public Service Compensation

State Aid Blogs - stellrweb djb1whucfBY unsplash

Compensation for the extra costs of a public service obligation may include a reasonable profit that reflects the risk borne by the provider of the public service. Introduction The calculation of the amount of compensation for the extra costs of public service obligations can be difficult and tricky. In the absence of such calculation, aid to providers of […]

Keine Kommentare

28. August 2018 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Public Service Compensation

State Aid Blogs - SAH blogpost34 PublicCompensation SGEI

Compensation for the provision of public services may not exceed the avoidable cost minus any forgone revenue from not having to provide those services. The VAT exemption for postal services is not State aid because it is laid down in the EU VAT directive and therefore cannot be attributed to Member States. Introduction This article reviews Commission decision on […]

Keine Kommentare

28. März 2017 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Altmark Requires Efficiency; Article 106(2) TFEU Does Not!

State Aid Blogs - m 26

The provider of a service of general economic interest does not have to be more efficient than the “typical undertaking” in its sector. Introduction On 8 March 2017, the Court of Justice rendered its judgment in case C‑660/15 P Viasat Broadcasting v European Commission.[1] Viasat Broadcasting appealed against the judgment of the General Court of 24 September 2015 in […]

Keine Kommentare

14. Dezember 2015 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Altmark, again!

State Aid Blogs - m 5 2

Sectoral regulation is not the same as definition of public service obligation. Aid that favours a certain technology is incompatible with the internal market, unless it can be objectively justified. Introduction “Altmark” has become a permanent feature in the landscape of State aid. Its application was again one of the main issues of contention in six judgments rendered by […]

Ein Kommentar

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.

Gastbeitrag einreichen