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.

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

3. April 2018 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Advantage through Contracts

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A price below the regulated normal price confers an advantage. Competition is distorted even when the aid recipient does not expand its operations. Introduction An undertaking can obtain an advantage without receiving an outright grant. The advantage may be hidden in a contract for the supply of an essential input at reduced prices. This is the issue tackled by […]

4 Kommentare

27. März 2018 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Correct Pricing for the Use of Publicly Funded Infrastructure

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Publicly funded infrastructure must be made available to users at prices that correspond to its market value. Introduction When publicly-funded infrastructure is placed at the disposal of an undertaking, that undertaking must pay a market price, otherwise it derives an advantage in the meaning of Article 107(1) TFEU. But what is the market price? Is it the price […]

Ein Kommentar

20. März 2018 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Private Creditor v Private Investor

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A private investor never agrees to an unprofitable transaction while a private creditor may agree to a loss in order to avoid a bigger loss from non-recovery of debt owed to it. A public authority acting as a private operator must disregard any losses it may incur from State aid it granted in the past. Introduction A question […]

Ein Kommentar

13. März 2018 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

What Is and What Is not Export Aid

State Aid Blogs - 13.03. Trade StateAid deminimis

The prohibition of export aid prevents distortions in the internal market. Therefore, it cannot be considered as restricting intra-EU trade. Aid is classified as export aid only if it has a direct impact on exports. The incidental and indirect effect on exports of investment aid is not sufficient to categorise it as export aid. Introduction On 28 February 2018, […]

Keine Kommentare

6. März 2018 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

State Aid for R&D

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A large amount of State aid can still be compatible with the internal market if it meets all of the requirements of the RDI Framework. Introduction Since the coming into force of the GBER, only very few cases of R&D have been notified to the Commission. This means that it is not so obvious how the State aid […]

Keine Kommentare

27. Februar 2018 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Economic Activities in a System of Social Solidarity

State Aid Blogs - 27.02.18 Economic Activities HealthInsurance State Aid

Entities that pursue profit must be classified as undertakings. Introduction On 5 February 2018, the General Court annulled Commission decision 2015/248 concerning health insurance in Slovakia [see judgment in case T‑216/15, Dôvera zdravotná poist’ovňa et al v European Commission].[1] The Commission decision was reviewed here on 10 March 2015.(View article at http://stateaidhub.eu/blogs/stateaiduncovered/post/1707.)The Commission had concluded that the providers of health […]

5 Kommentare

20. Februar 2018 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

What Happens when Things Go Wrong

State Aid Blogs - 20.02.18 StateAid

Only EU institutions can provide assurances that aid is granted legally. The amount of State aid in a state guarantee given to a company in difficulty can be equal to the amount of the guaranteed loan. The simultaneity of public and private investments is not enough to ensure that the public investment is at market terms. They must also be […]

Keine Kommentare

13. Februar 2018 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Investment in Airport Infrastructure

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Public funding of infrastructure used for non-economic purposes does not constitute State aid. Public investment in infrastructure used for economic purposes does not constitute State aid if the investment can generate a return that is acceptable to a private investor. Introduction On 25 January 2018, the General Court ruled in case T-818/14, Brussels South Charleroi Airport v Commission.[1] Brussels […]

Ein Kommentar

6. Februar 2018 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

How a Private Investor Behaves: EDF v Commission

State Aid Blogs - 17.10. imputability stateaid

A private investor carries out an assessment of the prospective profitability of a company before it invests in it. Ex post assessment is not sufficient. Evidence that the investment is likely to be profitable is not enough. The return must be high enough to satisfy a private investor in a similar situation (by compensating it for the risk it assumes). […]

Keine Kommentare

30. Januar 2018 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

The Puzzle of the State Acting as a Regulator

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When the state exercises its regulatory tasks, it does not have to demand fees and therefore it does not forgo potential state resources. Introduction A few weeks ago the Commission considered whether the regulatory actions of the state fell within the scope of Article 107(1) TFEU. In decision SA.42028 concerning aid to Yliopiston Apteekki Oy in Finland, the Commission […]

Ein Kommentar

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5. September 2017 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Sale, Liquidation and Other Options for Private Investors

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A private investor chooses the less costly option between selling a company at a loss and liquidating it. In addition to avoiding losses, a private investor also cares for its image, quantifies its value and factors it in the sale or liquidation option. Introduction On 6 July 2017, the General Court ruled in two closely related cases: T-74/14, France […]

Keine Kommentare

29. August 2017 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Bank Recapitalisation that Conforms to the Market Economy Investor Principle

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A public authority acts like a private investor when it injects capital in a stricken bank if there is a realistic prospect of sufficient return that compensates it for the risk it bears. Introduction Caixa Geral de Depósitos (CGD) is the largest bank in Portugal and is now fully owned by the State. In June 2012, Portugal notified to […]

Keine Kommentare

22. August 2017 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

State Aid Is Not Compatible With the Internal Market when it Contravenes other EU Rules

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Relief from a penalty imposed by EU rules is State aid that is incompatible with the internal market. Introduction EU rules contain a standard exclusion: State aid cannot be declared compatible with the internal market when it is non-severable [i.e. cannot be separated] from a violation of EU law. Yet, cases involving non-severable violations of EU law are rare. […]

Keine Kommentare

15. August 2017 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Exceptions to the Exceptional Nature of State Aid for Banks

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State aid for banks can be granted without triggering resolution in cases of precautionary recapitalisation and liquidation. Introduction A primary objective of the European response to the financial crisis was to sever the link between troubled banks and indebted sovereign. The principle now is that if a bank needs money to meet the capital adequacy ratio required by banking […]

Keine Kommentare

8. August 2017 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Sale of State-Owned Bank

State Aid Blogs - 01.11.17 State aid

The sale of a public asset is free of State aid when it is open, transparent, non-discriminatory, unconditional and the award is made to the highest binding and credible offer. Introduction The rules on State aid to financial institutions and banks have become very strict. Owners and creditors have to be bailed in [the so-called burden sharing] and the […]

Keine Kommentare

1. August 2017 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Collective Insolvency and the GBER

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The eligibility of an aid applicant and the legality of the aid are determined at the point when the aid is granted. If afterwards the aid recipient ceases to be an SME or enters in financial difficulties it is not a relevant issue. Introduction When Member States grant aid on the basis of the General Block Exemption Regulation [Regulation […]

Keine Kommentare

25. Juli 2017 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Transfer of Trademarks

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The free transfer of a trademark that belongs to the state confers two possible advantages to the new owner if there is a market for that trademark. Introduction When a public authority places at the disposal of an undertaking a public asset, it confers to that undertaking a competitive advantage. The competitive advantage is eliminated whenever that public authority […]

Keine Kommentare

18. Juli 2017 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Even the Catholic Church Is not Absolved from State Aid Rules: The Essence of Economic Activity – PART II

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Purely religious activities and education funded by the state are not economic in nature. Read the I. part of the article, here. Selective economic advantage The Court proceeded to examine the possible existence of a selective economic advantage. It first recalled, in paragraph 65, that the concept of State aid covers only those public measures which favour certain undertakings “or” […]

Keine Kommentare

11. Juli 2017 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Even the Catholic Church Is not Absolved from State Aid Rules: The Essence of Economic Activity – PART I

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Purely religious activities and education funded by the state are not economic in nature. Introduction On 27 June 2017 the Court of Justice ruled in case C‑74/16, Congregación de Escuelas Pías Provincia Betania v Ayuntamiento de Getafe.[1] The ruling was in response to a request from a Spanish administrative court dealing with a tax dispute between religious schools and the municipality of […]

10 Kommentare

4. Juli 2017 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Imputability to the State

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State resources and imputability or attribution to the state are two distinct concepts. They must both be satisfied in order for a measure to constitute State aid. Introduction Several Member States have set up “promotional” banks or national development banks. Some of these promotional banks pursue only public policy objectives by channelling cheap funds to SMEs. Some others provide funding […]

2 Kommentare

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