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

7. Juni 2016 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Sport Facilities, the Balancing Test and Distortion of Competition

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Aid measures that target persons with particular needs and who are not adequately provided by the market are not likely to be found to distort competition contrary to the common interest, even if there is some substitutability between the subsidised services and similar services provided by the market on commercial terms. Introduction In August 2011, the Commission received a […]

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2. Juni 2016 | Guest State Aid Blog von Erika Ellyne

Frucona Revisited: Confusing EDF and Placing the Burden of Proof Where it Belongs

computer kayboard

We are happy to welcome Erika Ellyne on the State Aid Blog today. She is a lawyer at Van Bael & Bellis law firm where she works on EU competition law matters. Previously she was a researcher at the VUB University and the LSTS research center, where she is still an affiliate. Today she gives her insights on the Frucona […]

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1. Juni 2016 | Guest State Aid Blog von Lexxion Publisher

Court’s Diary – June 2016

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. Thursday 09/06/2016 Judgment in Case T-162/13 – Magic Mountain Kletterhallen and Others v Commission (General […]

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31. Mai 2016 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Support for Green Electricity: State Resources and “PreussenElektra”

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Arrangements established by law whereby undertakings are compensated for any extra payments they make to producers of green electricity are likely to bring those payments under the control of the state. Those payments will then be classified as state resources regardless of whether they are managed by private entities. Introduction On 10 May 2016, the General Court issued its […]

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24. Mai 2016 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Tax Exemptions Authorised by the Council of the EU

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State aid is an objective concept. When the Commission assesses a measure it has to examine its effects and cannot be bound by a decision of the Council. A beneficiary of State aid cannot entertain legitimate expectations simply because the Commission does not appear to object to the aid. Introduction On 22 April 2016, the General Court rendered its judgment […]

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18. Mai 2016 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

PART II: Regional Development and i) Market Economy Operator Test ii) Services of General Economic Interest

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A market economy operator undertakes activities whose incremental revenue exceeds their incremental costs. A market economy operator ignores costs which are unaffected by those activities. A service of general economic interest has special characteristics that set it apart from other services with positive impact on the economy. Having a positive impact is not enough. Part II: Public tasks and […]

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10. Mai 2016 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

PART I: Regional Development and i) Market Economy Operator Test, ii) Services of General Economic Interest

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A market economy operator undertakes activities whose incremental revenue exceeds their incremental costs. A market economy operator ignores costs which are unaffected by those activities. A service of general economic interest has special characteristics that set it apart from other services with positive impact on the economy. Having a positive impact is not enough. Introduction National and regional authorities […]

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3. Mai 2016 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Calculation of State Aid in Guarantees

State Aid Blogs - 21.11.State resources State control

State guarantees can be used to support loans for working capital. The amount of State aid in guarantees can be calculated to remain below the de minimis threshold of EUR 200,000. Introduction With financial instruments being very much in vogue, there is much interest in the use of guarantees and loans as a means of granting State aid. Therefore, […]

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2. Mai 2016 | Guest State Aid Blog von Lexxion Publisher

Court’s Diary – May 2016

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 10/05/2016 Judgment in Case T-47/15 – Germany v Commission (General Court – Third Chamber) […]

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18. April 2016 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Who is Aided when a Bank is Resolved?

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Bank resolution may involve State aid. However, the depositors do not normally benefit from State aid, nor do the buyers of the viable assets, if they pay a market price. Any aid normally goes to the remaining, non-performing, assets that are eventually liquidated. Introduction The new bank resolution regime that came into force on 1 January 2016 aims to […]

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12. Januar 2015 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

“Good” Procedures Make “Good” State Aid: Ex Ante Conditionality for Effective Application of EU State Aid Rules

State Aid Blogs - 21.11.State resources State control

Structural fund rules for the period 2014-2020 define ex ante conditionalities that have to be satisfied by Managing Authorities that use EU funds to grant State aid. The ex ante conditionalities aim to strengthen the administrative capacity of Managing Authorities to grant State aid correctly. The European Commission has issued guidance on arrangements that can lead to improved administrative capacity. […]

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5. Januar 2015 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Tax Measures with Specific Objectives Can still Be General

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A tax measure that applies to certain transactions is not selective if it does not preclude any company or type of asset. Conditions for the application of a tax measure may be justified by the logic of the tax system. The Commission may not use Article 107(3) to assess the compatibility with the internal market of a tax measure that […]

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29. Dezember 2014 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Another Measure that Cannot Be Justified by the Logic of the Tax System

airplanes on the airport

The granting of a tax exception is often found to constitute State aid. But the non-levying of a tax may also fall within the scope of Article 107(1). Competitors have more rights when the Commission does not open the formal investigation procedure. IntroductionOn 25 November 2014, the Court of Justice, in case T-512/11, Ryanair v European Commission, annulled Commission […]

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23. Dezember 2014 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

An Important Project of Common European Interest

State Aid Blogs - An Important Project of Common European Interest

Infrastructure projects which are economic in nature are subject to State aid scrutiny regardless of their importance. However, public funding of transport networks which are open to all users does not constitute State aid. Introduction State aid approval of important projects of common European interest is very rare. The joint Commission decisions SA.36558 and SA.38371 [Denmark] and SA.36662 [Sweden] concerning the […]

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15. Dezember 2014 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Application of the Market Economy Investor Principle to a Company Processing Agricultural Products

State Aid Blogs - Application of the Market Economy Investor Principle to a Company Processing Agricultural Products

When a public entity injects fresh capital in a company in which it is already a shareholder, the new capital does not constitute State aid when it satisfies three conditions: i) all shareholders contribute in proportion to the shares they own, ii) the private participation is simultaneous and iii) the private participation is economically significant. Introduction In this article […]

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9. Dezember 2014 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

A Surprising Interpretation of the Concept of Selectivity

State Aid Blogs - A Surprising Interpretation of the Concept of Selectivity

Tax measures are selective when they constitute an exception or deviation from the normal or common system of taxation. In addition, the exception must be open only to a pre-defined category of undertakings. IntroductionOften, the decisive element in whether a tax measure constitutes State aid is the existence of selectivity. On 7 November 2014, the General Court ruled on two […]

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1. Dezember 2014 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

The First Application of the New GBER to Sport Infrastructure

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Public funding of local sport infrastructure may constitute State aid. The granting of a concession contract for the construction and/or operation of the infrastructure may not exclude State aid for the concessionaire. Measures based on the new GBER have to satisfy both its general and specific provisions. The funding gap method can be used in the context of the GBER. […]

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24. November 2014 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Land Transactions: Commercial Deals v Regulatory Acts

State Aid Blogs - Land Transactions Commercial Deals v Regulatory Acts

Regulation on land use or changes in such regulations do not constitute State aid. Administrative methods for calculating the value of public land do not necessarily prevent the granting of State aid if they do not reflect the evolution in market valuations. IntroductionMany local authorities own land or regulate the use of land. They also sell or buy land. […]

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18. November 2014 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Recovery of State Aid and Penalty for Failing to Recover Incompatible Aid

State Aid Blogs - Recovery of State Aid and Penalty for Failing to Recover Incompatible Aid

Extension of an existing aid measure results in the granting of new aid. Only conditions of absolute impossibility can justify non-recovery of incompatible aid. Member States have to exhaust all possible options to recover incompatible aid and, if necessary, have to force the closure of the recipient of the aid. IntroductionIn this article I examine two recent judgments both of […]

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11. November 2014 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Reduction of Property Taxes and Electricity Tariffs

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Relief from property tax is State aid even when the user of the property is involved in defence contracts. Providing cheaper electricity to a few manufacturers cannot be considered to be an appropriate measure for regional development. Introduction This article summarises several judgments which were delivered in October 2014. They concern a tax exemption in Spain and reduction of electricity […]

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