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

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 […]

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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). […]

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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 […]

1 Kommentar

23. Januar 2018 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Danish Horse Racing

State Aid Blogs - horse betting Denmark State Aid

Taxes hypothecated to State aid measures fall within the scope of the assessment of the compatibility of those measures. Introduction Operating aid is not normally allowed. Yet, in decision SA.48604 concerning horse-racing betting in Denmark the Commission appears to have authorised operating aid.[1] This measure was approved within six months. In the post-SAM, it must be one of the […]

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16. Januar 2018 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Selectivity Requires Comparison

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To determine whether a measure is selective it is necessary to compare the beneficiary companies to other companies which are in a similar situation and determine whether the latter receive the same advantage. Introduction[1] On 20 December 2017, the Court of Justice delivered three judgments in appeals against rulings of the General Court concerning the expansion of digital terrestrial television […]

2 Kommentare

9. Januar 2018 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Structural Disadvantages and Regional Aid

State Aid Blogs - StateAidHub blogpost35 port concessions

Aid that seeks to neutralise a structural disadvantage still confers an advantage. Aid that seeks to remedy market failure is selective. State aid that is compatible with the internal market must be necessary to achieve an objective of the Treaty and be capable of incentivising a change in the behaviour of the recipient undertakings. Introduction On 13 December 2017, […]

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2. Januar 2018 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

PART II: Concessions and State Aid: Does the State Act as a Regulator or Market Operator?

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When Member States act as regulators they need not maximise revenue from the granting of concessions rights. When Member States act as regulators they must grant concession rights on the basis of procedures which are competitive, transparent, non-discriminatory and unconditional. Part II: Public procurement principles[1] Principles for selection of concession holders The Commission examined also, in addition to the […]

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1. Januar 2018 | Guest State Aid Blog von Lexxion Publisher

Court’s Diary – January 2018

Judge gavel with law books

Find below the court’s diary for all State aid cases this month. Would you like to write a comment on one of them? Please don’t hesitate and get in touch with us ([email protected]), we are happy to publish your comment on the blog. Tuesday 16/01/2018 Judgment in case T-747/15 – EDF v Commission (General Court – Third Chamber) Wednesday 17/01/2018 Judgment […]

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27. Dezember 2017 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

PART I: Concessions and State Aid: Does the State Act as a Regulator or Market Operator?

State Aid Blogs - m 36

When Member States act as regulators they need not maximise revenue from the granting of concessions rights. When Member States act as regulators they must grant concession rights on the basis of procedures which are competitive, transparent, non-discriminatory and unconditional. Introduction Is it possible for a public authority to grant State aid through a defective procurement procedure? The answer […]

2 Kommentare

21. Dezember 2017 | State Aid Uncovered von Lexxion Publisher

Top 5 State Aid Uncovered Posts in 2017

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Questions around grants for R&D&I projects, economic activities of religious establishments or concession agreements besides many more, have moved and shaped this year’s judgments on State aid. Also Brexit and its meaning for State aid control in the UK has been on everyone’s mind. See which articles by Prof. Phedon Nicolaides were the most popular ones in 2017. We have […]

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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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23. November 2016 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

No Affectation of Trade

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Public subsidies that do not affect cross-border trade either directly or indirectly do not constitute State aid in the meaning of Article 107(1). The direct trade effect is the impact on customers or users. The indirect trade effect is the impact on potential market entrants. Introduction In April 2015, the Commission surprised us with seven decisions that concluded that […]

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15. November 2016 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Private Investor v Private Creditor

State Aid Blogs - 01.11.17 State aid

When the state, acting as a private investor, seeks to recover past public investments, it must aim to maximise the recoverable amount. However, public funds that were granted as State aid must be ignored when the recoverable amount of past investments is calculated. Introduction On 15 September 2016, the General Court rendered its judgment in case T‑386/14, FIH Holding v […]

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8. November 2016 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

1) Selectivity of Health Tests 2) Existing v New Aid in Preferential Electricity Tariffs

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A measure can be selective even if it applies to a whole sector. An existing aid measure becomes new when a court extends it temporarily. Introduction This article reviews two judgments: one on BSE tests in Belgium and another on preferential electricity tariffs in Greece. The issue at hand with respect to the BSE test was whether a measure […]

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1. November 2016 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Turnover Taxes Can be Incompatible with the Internal Market

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Progressive taxes levied on turnover can provide State aid that is incompatible with the internal market. Flat turnover taxes are proportional and therefore likely to be free of State aid. Introduction Hungary wanted to levy two types of turnover taxes whose purpose was to protect health. The first tax was levied on tobacco products.[1] The Commission found, in decision 2016/1846, […]

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25. Oktober 2016 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Belgium’s Alternative Tax Regime for the Diamond Sector

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Alternative tax regimes do not provide State aid as long as they raise the amount of tax paid and they are justified by the nature or general scheme of the normal system of taxation. Introduction During the past three years, the Commission has been pursuing multinational companies that pay too little tax. Its main objection to the tax treatment […]

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