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

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 […]

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24. August 2017 | Guest State Aid Blog von Lexxion Publisher

15th Jubilee Feature – State Aid Experts Paying Court to EStAL: Alexander Rose

Since 2002 Lexxion Publisher’s European State Aid Law Quarterly – EStAL serves as a forum for dialogue and deliberation on all issues related to State aid. On the occasion of our 15th anniversary special feature we have gathered our State aid family to reflect upon their joint journey together with our precious EStAL and of course our favourite topic State […]

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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. […]

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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 […]

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10. August 2017 | Guest State Aid Blog von Lexxion Publisher

15th Jubilee Feature – State Aid Experts Paying Court to EStAL: Mihalis Kekelekis

Since 2002 Lexxion Publisher’s European State Aid Law Quarterly – EStAL serves as a forum for dialogue and deliberation on all issues related to State aid. On the occasion of our 15th anniversary special feature we have gathered our State aid family to reflect upon their joint journey together with our precious EStAL and of course our favourite topic State […]

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8. August 2017 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Sale of State-Owned Bank

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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 […]

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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 […]

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27. Juli 2017 | Guest State Aid Blog von Lexxion Publisher

15th Jubilee Feature – State Aid Experts Paying Court to EStAL: Birgit Haslinger

Since 2002 Lexxion Publisher’s European State Aid Law Quarterly – EStAL serves as a forum for dialogue and deliberation on all issues related to State aid. On the occasion of our 15th anniversary special feature we have gathered our State aid family to reflect upon their joint journey together with our precious EStAL and of course our favourite topic State […]

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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 […]

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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” […]

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31. Januar 2017 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Financial Cooperatives

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National courts may not question Commission decisions but they may ask the Court of Justice for guidance on how to interpret Commission decisions. Protection of shareholders of a particular category of companies is a selective measure. Introduction This is the last article dealing with the judgments that were rendered by EU courts on 21 December 2016. This article reviews the reply […]

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17. Januar 2017 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Part II: Developments on the Concepts of Advantage and Selectivity

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The advantage conferred by State aid is not necessarily equivalent to the economic benefit that is eventually enjoyed by aid recipients. Incompatible State aid has to be repaid regardless of whether it is passed on to the customers of the aid recipients. Undertakings derive an advantage when state intervention reduces the costs they would bear under “normal market conditions” whereby […]

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10. Januar 2017 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Developments on the Concepts of Advantage and Selectivity

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The advantage conferred by State aid is not necessarily equivalent to the economic benefit that is eventually enjoyed by aid recipients. Incompatible State aid has to be repaid regardless of whether it is passed on to the customers of the aid recipients. Undertakings derive an advantage when state intervention reduces the costs they would bear under “normal market conditions” whereby […]

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3. Januar 2017 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Public Service Obligations and Award for Damages

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Providers of public services must keep separate accounts. The parameters for calculating the compensation for the extra costs of public services must be determined in advance. Awards for damages do not constitute State aid. However, no damages can be awarded as a substitute for incompatible State aid. Introduction It is often asked how compensation measures for public service obligations […]

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27. Dezember 2016 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Funding of the Spanish Public Broadcaster and Hypothecation of Taxes

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Tax payers have grounds to object to a tax on the basis of Article 107(1) TFEU only when the tax is “asymmetrical” or when it is “hypothecated” to an aid measure. Introduction On 10 November 2016, the Court of Justice ruled in case C‑449/14 P, DTS v European Commission.[1] DTS, a Spanish television company, appealed against the judgment of the General […]

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22. Dezember 2016 | State Aid Uncovered von Lexxion Publisher

5 most read articles by Phedon Nicolaides in 2016

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Questions around selectivity of tax measures, the private creditor test, the new Commission Notice on the Notion of State Aid and many more have moved and shaped this year’s judgments on State aid. See which articles by Prof. Phedon Nicolaides were the most popular ones in 2016. We have also started an exciting new journey of State aid videos on […]

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20. Dezember 2016 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Existing v New Aid and Role of National Courts

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Modification of an existing aid measure turns it into a new aid measure if it affects its compatibility with the internal market. National courts must also notify to the Commission any new aid measure they detect. Introduction On 26 October 2016, the Court of Justice ruled in case C‑590/14 P, DEI v Commission.[1] DEI, the incumbent electricity producer in Greece appealed against […]

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13. Dezember 2016 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Hungarian Advertisement Tax, Polish Retail Tax and Estonia Package Tax

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Progressive taxes can constitute State aid. Exemption from a packaging tax of packaged goods which are taken abroad is within the logic of the tax system. Introduction This article reviews three tax measures which levied taxes on specific activities and products. In particular, they concern taxes on advertising, retail sales and an exemption from a tax on product packaging. […]

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6. Dezember 2016 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Pensions, Public Statements and Private Investors

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The normal costs of an undertaking include all the costs of compliance with the obligations imposed by law. A private investor takes into account all the relevant information at the point in time it decides to invest. Introduction This article reviews two court judgments both of which concern Orange, the French incumbent telecoms operator. The first judgment finds […]

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29. November 2016 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Media Plurality in Denmark

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State aid measures need not be open to all undertakings. Introduction On 11 October 2016, the General Court rendered its judgment in case T-167/14, TSøndagsavisen v Commission.[1] Søndagsavisen requested annulment of Commission decision SA.36366 on a measure that had been notified by Denmark. The purpose of the measure was to support production and innovation in the newspaper and magazine sector […]

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