Europäisches Beihilfenrecht Blog

State Aid Uncovered Blog

In Lexxions Blog „State Aid Uncovered” veröffentlicht Prof. Phedon Nicolaides wöchentlich kritische Analysen zu den neuesten Urteilen und Entscheidungen zu staatlichen Beihilfen. Jeder Beitrag stellt die wichtigsten Punkte eines Gerichtsurteils oder einer EU-Kommissionsentscheidung vor, ordnet sie in den Kontext ähnlicher Rechtsprechung oder Praxis ein, bewertet die zugrundeliegende Argumentation und zeigt etwaige Ungereimtheiten oder Widersprüche auf.

In loser Folge werden auf diesem Blog auch Gastbeiträge von anderen Experten für staatliche Beihilfen veröffentlicht, welche die Inhalte der Blogbeiträge ergänzen.

Jetzt abonnieren!

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

25. März 2022 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

A New Temporary Crisis Framework

State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered SM posts 5

Introduction A new Temporary Framework which is called “Temporary Crisis Framework” [TCF] to distinguish it from the currently applicable Temporary Framework on covid-19 related State aid was adopted on 23 March 2022, almost two years to the date of the publication of the rules on covid-19 related State aid.[1] The purpose of the TCF is to enable Member States to […]

Keine Kommentare

22. März 2022 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

I. Vouchers for SMEs II. Funding of Aid with Revenue from Levies Imposed on the Aid Beneficiaries

State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered SM posts 4

State aid rules apply both to direct and indirect beneficiaries of aid. Introduction This week’s article reviews a Commission decision and a judgment of the Court of Justice. The Commission decision concerns Italian vouchers for SMEs to pay for the use of fast broadband services. The judgment deals with a German measure supporting milk quality tests. In both cases an […]

Keine Kommentare

15. März 2022 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Another Altmark Compliant Case!

State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered SM posts 2

Any non-SGEI obligation attached to a public service contract may not raise the cost of the service above the level of the “least cost to the community”. Introduction It is very rare for measures of compensation for public service obligations to be found by the European Commission to be compliant with the Altmark conditions. Nonetheless, in the past two years […]

Keine Kommentare

9. März 2022 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

The Concept of “Undertaking in Difficulty” and Evidential Requirements

State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered SM posts 1

The “subscribed share capital” of a company includes the capital that is already paid and any future amount that shareholders have irrevocably committed to pay. Introduction Undertakings in difficulty may not receive any kind of aid except aid to compensate for damage caused by a natural disaster or exceptional occurrence and, under strict conditions, rescue and/or restructuring aid. In most […]

Keine Kommentare

1. März 2022 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Security of Energy Supply

State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered SM posts

Guaranteed supply of electricity at fixed prices to a state-owned network operator involves a transfer of state resources to the supplier. Guaranteed supply of electricity at fixed prices confers an advantage to the supplier. Introduction Member States are allowed to take measures to ensure the security of energy supplies. There is a variety of such measures: imposition of obligations on […]

Keine Kommentare

22. Februar 2022 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Compensation for Damage and De Minimis Aid

State Aid Blogs - Social Media posts 4

Compensation for damage caused by protected animals is State aid. Member States may categorise compensatory payments as de minimis aid and refuse to make payments in excess of the de minimis threshold. Introduction Advantage in the meaning of Article 107(1) TFEU is any benefit granted by the state that is not available under normal market conditions. Normal market conditions are […]

Keine Kommentare

15. Februar 2022 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Compensation and State Aid

State Aid Blogs - Social Media posts 3 2

An event that causes damage for which the state is liable is distinct from the act that confers the right for compensation. Introduction The concept of State aid covers all resources that are controlled by the state, regardless of the reason why such resources may be transferred to or put at the disposal of an undertaking. On 25 January 2022, […]

Keine Kommentare

8. Februar 2022 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

The Mysterious “Substantial” Competitive Effect

State Aid Blogs - Social Media posts 3

State aid has a “substantial” effect on competitors when it has a direct and negative impact on their market positions that goes beyond the typical influence of aid on competitive relationships. Introduction State aid always harms competition and competitors. A public measure that has no effect on competition is not State aid. Therefore, it is not enough for a company […]

Keine Kommentare

1. Februar 2022 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

I. The Commission Need not Always Open the Formal Investigation Procedure before Correcting a Faulty Decision II. Fines for Failure to Recover Incompatible Aid

State Aid Blogs - WhatsApp Image 2022 01 31 at 15.42.44

The formal investigation procedure need not be re-opened when the fault lies in the legal assessment of the measure in question. Incompatible State aid has to be recovered quickly and effectively, even from insolvent undertakings. Introduction This article examines two recent judgments concerning Greece. The first judgment explains when the Commission does not have to re-open the formal investigation procedure […]

Keine Kommentare

25. Januar 2022 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Duplication of Infrastructure Does not Promote Regional Development

State Aid Blogs - Social Media posts 6

A private investor is not interested in regional development. A private investor recoups its investment in infrastructure from revenue from the operation of that infrastructure. Duplication of infrastructure does not contribute to regional development. Introduction In 2015 the European Commission caused a buzz in the State aid community when it decided that investment aid granted to a small Polish airport […]

Keine Kommentare

« Vorherige Seite Nächste Seite »

18. Mai 2021 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

State Aid and Essential National Interest

State aid that is necessary for protecting essential national interests can be compatible with the internal market. Introduction State aid should support outcomes that the market by itself cannot achieve. This implies that State aid that is restricted to only one or a few undertakings is unlikely to be capable of delivering the desired outcome. Yet, sometimes there may be […]

Keine Kommentare

11. Mai 2021 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

State Aid Measures May not be Funded through Discriminatory Taxes

A tax that is levied on both imported and domestic products but its revenue finances only domestic products infringes fundamental provisions of the EU Treaty. Introduction Member States finance the generation of electricity from renewable energy sources [RES] with revenue they raise through levies or charges on consumers of electricity. On 14 April 2021, the General Court in judgment in […]

Keine Kommentare

4. Mai 2021 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Turnover Taxes Can Be Progressive without Being Selective

State Aid Blogs - Taxes

Progressive rates can be part of a reference tax system. The reference tax system is, in principle, made up of the tax base, the tax rates and the taxable events. Introduction Progressive turnover taxes were thought to be selective because they are levied on gross revenue before costs are deducted and larger volumes of revenue are taxed at higher rates. […]

Keine Kommentare

27. April 2021 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Individual Aid Measures to Combat Covid-19

State Aid Blogs - StateAidHub blogpost17 airline

Aid to remedy a serious economic disturbance may be granted to a single company that is important for the national economy. EU law does not extend to competitors a right to the same aid. Introduction Between March 2020 and April 2021, the European Commission has authorised aid totalling more than EUR 2.5 trillion to remedy the serious economic disturbance caused […]

Keine Kommentare

20. April 2021 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Draft New RDI Framework

State Aid Blogs - StateAidHub blogpost16 RDI

The new RDI Framework provides continuity with clarity. On Monday, 19 April 2021, the European Commission published the new Regional Aid Guidelines for the period 2022-2027. They can be accessed at: https://ec.europa.eu/competition/state_aid/regional_aid/RAG_2021_adopted_communication.zip Introduction On 8 April 2021, the European Commission published the text of the draft new RDI Framework and launched public consultation.[1] The draft RDI Framework is accompanied by […]

Keine Kommentare

13. April 2021 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

State Guarantee to an Energy Project

State Aid Blogs - StateAidHub blogpost15 gas

A state guarantee can bridge the funding gap of an infrastructure project. Introduction State aid rules allow energy infrastructure projects to be supported by as much aid as is necessary to bridge their “funding gap”; i.e. the difference between the initial investment cost and the present value of their expected net operating revenue which is the future gross revenue minus […]

Keine Kommentare

6. April 2021 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Lease Contracts and Competitive Selection

State Aid Blogs - cow 2436354 1920

Vague award criteria can be discriminatory and harm the transparency of the selection procedure. Introduction After receiving a complaint, the Commission opened a formal investigation into alleged State aid granted by the Estonian Ministry of Rural Affairs to AS Tartu Agro, a private limited company, which produced milk, meat and cereals. According to the complaint, the Ministry had granted unlawful […]

Keine Kommentare

30. März 2021 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

“Global” Assessment of Tax Schemes

State Aid Blogs - StateAidHub blogpost13 Barcelona

It is incumbent on the Commission to carry out a global assessment of tax schemes. But it must take into account only those provisions of schemes that apply ex ante and do not depend on the circumstances of individual tax payers. Only when aid has to be recovered must the provisions that apply to the specific circumstances of individual tax […]

Keine Kommentare

23. März 2021 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Exclusive Rights and State Aid

State Aid Blogs - StateAidHub blogpost12 Poste Italiane

Exclusive rights may constitute State aid if they mandate payments with resources over which the state can exercise control. Compensation for the cost of public service obligations may be granted only if the obligations are clear and define a service that is different from market services. Introduction Article 106(1) TFEU requires Member States not to distort competition when they grant […]

Keine Kommentare

16. März 2021 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

The Pan-European Guarantee Fund: The First State Aid Instrument at EU Level

State Aid Blogs - StateAidHub blogpost11 Funds

The Fund managed by the EIB constitutes State aid granted collectively by participating Member States. Introduction One of the many responses of the European Union to the economic harm wreaked by the pandemic was the establishment of the Pan-European Guarantee Fund [the Fund] by the European Investment Bank. Member States were invited to contribute to the Fund. This is both […]

Keine Kommentare

« Vorherige Seite Nächste Seite »

« Vorherige Seite Nächste Seite »

Sie möchten einen Beitrag einreichen oder zur Weiterentwicklung des Blogs State Aid Uncovered beitragen? Weitere Details finden Sie auf der englischsprachigen Seite.

Gastbeitrag einreichen