State Aid Law Blog

State Aid Uncovered by Prof Phedon Nicolaides

On a weekly basis Phedon Nicolaides posts critical analysis pieces on the latest State aid judgments and decisions on his blog State Aid Uncovered. Each article presents the main points of a court ruling or Commission‘s decision, places them in the context of similar case law or practice, assesses the underlying reasoning, and identifies any inconsistencies or contradictions.
Occasional guest blog posts by other State aid experts complement the State aid knowledge hub.

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

State Aid Uncovered ×

5. July 2022  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Why Grant a Loan to an Undertaking in Difficulty?
State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered SM posts 14
When a market operator invests in an undertaking in difficulty it also considers the possibility of restructuring, sale or closure. Introduction The answer to the question posed in the title of this article is “because the loan enables the undertaking to become viable again and repay the loan with interest”. It is now well established in the case law that […]
read more
No Comments
28. June 2022  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Individual Aid to Counter the Effects of Serious Economic Disturbance Is Legally Possible, but Is it Appropriate?
State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered SM posts 13
Individual aid need not be capable itself to remedy serious economic disturbance in the economy of a Member State. It is sufficient that it contributes to that effect. Introduction On 22 June 2022, in case T‑657/20, Ryanair v European Commission, the General Court confirmed once more that Member States have a right to grant State aid to the undertakings of […]
read more
No Comments
21. June 2022  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

The Date on which State Aid is Deemed to be Granted Is not necessarily the Date on which the Actual Benefit Materialises
State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered SM posts 12
State aid is deemed to be granted even if the benefit cannot be quantified in advance and even if state resources are transferred at a future point in time. Introduction The precise date on which State aid is granted can be important such as, for example, when calculating the present value of aid granted in tranches at different points in […]
read more
No Comments
14. June 2022  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Territoriality and the Tax Treatment of Intra-group Transactions
State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered SM posts 11
A special tax rule can constitute the reference or normal system of taxation if it is “severable” from other tax rules and has its own legal logic. Introduction The application of State aid rules to the tax treatment of transactions between companies that belong to the same multinational group is contentious. During the past three years or so, the Commission […]
read more
No Comments
7. June 2022  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

A Rare Commission Decision on SGEI Interpreting Decision 2012/21
State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered SM posts 10
A non-profit provider of free services which are in competition with similar services on the market is an undertaking. Introduction The decentralisation of State aid policy of the past decade has made it easier for the Member States to achieve their public policy objectives. By using blog exemption regulations and decisions, they can grant State aid faster, without having to […]
read more
No Comments
31. May 2022  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

State Aid and Anti-Competitive Practices
State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered SM posts 9
State aid to undertakings that engage in anti-competitive practices is incompatible with the internal market. Introduction For State aid to be compatible with the internal market, it may not infringe any other provision of the Treaty or secondary legislation. Occasionally, the Commission finds State aid measures to be incompatible with the internal market because they contain clauses that exclude foreign […]
read more
No Comments
24. May 2022  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Another Case of Rescue Aid to an Airline
State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered SM posts 6
An undertaking does not have to be nationally “important” in order to qualify for rescue aid. Introduction The pandemic has been hard on airlines. For some of them, however, the pandemic simply exacerbated their already existing problems. On 18 May 2022, in case T‑577/20, Ryanair v European Commission, the General Court had to examine the case of State aid to […]
read more
No Comments
10. May 2022  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Risk Finance
State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered SM posts 5
Risk finance aid in the form of tax relief based on the GBER must be limited to private investors. Introduction Decisions of the European Commission authorising aid for risk finance are very rare. This is the consequence of the success of the Commission to get Member States to use almost exclusively the General Block Exemption Regulation [GBER] for the design […]
read more
No Comments
3. May 2022  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

The Standard of Proof in State Aid Complaints and the “Informational Disadvantage” of Complainants
State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered SM posts 4
The Commission must use its investigative powers to seek clarification from Member States in order for it to establish whether a measure constitutes State aid, or is compatible aid, or is existing aid. Introduction Complaints are an important source of information to the Commission. The possibility afforded to undertakings to lodge such complaints with the Commission is intended to dissuade […]
read more
No Comments
26. April 2022  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Member States Must Recover of their Own Initiative Illegally Granted Aid
State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered SM posts 3
Aid granted illegal must be recovered by the granting authority without any need for a prior Commission decision ordering recovery. The amount of recovered aid may be limited to that which is in excess of what is allowed by the GBER. Introduction It is a well-established principle in the case law that a “prudent market operator” is responsible to check […]
read more
No Comments
« Previous PageNext Page »

State Aid Uncovered ×

5. July 2022  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Why Grant a Loan to an Undertaking in Difficulty?
State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered SM posts 14
When a market operator invests in an undertaking in difficulty it also considers the possibility of restructuring, sale or closure. Introduction The answer to the question posed in the title of this article is “because the loan enables the undertaking to become viable again and repay the loan with interest”. It is now well established in the case law that […]
read more
No Comments
28. June 2022  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Individual Aid to Counter the Effects of Serious Economic Disturbance Is Legally Possible, but Is it Appropriate?
State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered SM posts 13
Individual aid need not be capable itself to remedy serious economic disturbance in the economy of a Member State. It is sufficient that it contributes to that effect. Introduction On 22 June 2022, in case T‑657/20, Ryanair v European Commission, the General Court confirmed once more that Member States have a right to grant State aid to the undertakings of […]
read more
No Comments
21. June 2022  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

The Date on which State Aid is Deemed to be Granted Is not necessarily the Date on which the Actual Benefit Materialises
State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered SM posts 12
State aid is deemed to be granted even if the benefit cannot be quantified in advance and even if state resources are transferred at a future point in time. Introduction The precise date on which State aid is granted can be important such as, for example, when calculating the present value of aid granted in tranches at different points in […]
read more
No Comments
14. June 2022  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Territoriality and the Tax Treatment of Intra-group Transactions
State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered SM posts 11
A special tax rule can constitute the reference or normal system of taxation if it is “severable” from other tax rules and has its own legal logic. Introduction The application of State aid rules to the tax treatment of transactions between companies that belong to the same multinational group is contentious. During the past three years or so, the Commission […]
read more
No Comments
7. June 2022  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

A Rare Commission Decision on SGEI Interpreting Decision 2012/21
State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered SM posts 10
A non-profit provider of free services which are in competition with similar services on the market is an undertaking. Introduction The decentralisation of State aid policy of the past decade has made it easier for the Member States to achieve their public policy objectives. By using blog exemption regulations and decisions, they can grant State aid faster, without having to […]
read more
No Comments
31. May 2022  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

State Aid and Anti-Competitive Practices
State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered SM posts 9
State aid to undertakings that engage in anti-competitive practices is incompatible with the internal market. Introduction For State aid to be compatible with the internal market, it may not infringe any other provision of the Treaty or secondary legislation. Occasionally, the Commission finds State aid measures to be incompatible with the internal market because they contain clauses that exclude foreign […]
read more
No Comments
24. May 2022  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Another Case of Rescue Aid to an Airline
State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered SM posts 6
An undertaking does not have to be nationally “important” in order to qualify for rescue aid. Introduction The pandemic has been hard on airlines. For some of them, however, the pandemic simply exacerbated their already existing problems. On 18 May 2022, in case T‑577/20, Ryanair v European Commission, the General Court had to examine the case of State aid to […]
read more
No Comments
10. May 2022  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Risk Finance
State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered SM posts 5
Risk finance aid in the form of tax relief based on the GBER must be limited to private investors. Introduction Decisions of the European Commission authorising aid for risk finance are very rare. This is the consequence of the success of the Commission to get Member States to use almost exclusively the General Block Exemption Regulation [GBER] for the design […]
read more
No Comments
3. May 2022  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

The Standard of Proof in State Aid Complaints and the “Informational Disadvantage” of Complainants
State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered SM posts 4
The Commission must use its investigative powers to seek clarification from Member States in order for it to establish whether a measure constitutes State aid, or is compatible aid, or is existing aid. Introduction Complaints are an important source of information to the Commission. The possibility afforded to undertakings to lodge such complaints with the Commission is intended to dissuade […]
read more
No Comments
26. April 2022  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Member States Must Recover of their Own Initiative Illegally Granted Aid
State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered SM posts 3
Aid granted illegal must be recovered by the granting authority without any need for a prior Commission decision ordering recovery. The amount of recovered aid may be limited to that which is in excess of what is allowed by the GBER. Introduction It is a well-established principle in the case law that a “prudent market operator” is responsible to check […]
read more
No Comments
« Previous PageNext Page »

State Aid Uncovered ×

5. July 2022  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Why Grant a Loan to an Undertaking in Difficulty?
State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered SM posts 14
When a market operator invests in an undertaking in difficulty it also considers the possibility of restructuring, sale or closure. Introduction The answer to the question posed in the title of this article is “because the loan enables the undertaking to become viable again and repay the loan with interest”. It is now well established in the case law that […]
read more
No Comments
28. June 2022  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Individual Aid to Counter the Effects of Serious Economic Disturbance Is Legally Possible, but Is it Appropriate?
State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered SM posts 13
Individual aid need not be capable itself to remedy serious economic disturbance in the economy of a Member State. It is sufficient that it contributes to that effect. Introduction On 22 June 2022, in case T‑657/20, Ryanair v European Commission, the General Court confirmed once more that Member States have a right to grant State aid to the undertakings of […]
read more
No Comments
21. June 2022  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

The Date on which State Aid is Deemed to be Granted Is not necessarily the Date on which the Actual Benefit Materialises
State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered SM posts 12
State aid is deemed to be granted even if the benefit cannot be quantified in advance and even if state resources are transferred at a future point in time. Introduction The precise date on which State aid is granted can be important such as, for example, when calculating the present value of aid granted in tranches at different points in […]
read more
No Comments
14. June 2022  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Territoriality and the Tax Treatment of Intra-group Transactions
State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered SM posts 11
A special tax rule can constitute the reference or normal system of taxation if it is “severable” from other tax rules and has its own legal logic. Introduction The application of State aid rules to the tax treatment of transactions between companies that belong to the same multinational group is contentious. During the past three years or so, the Commission […]
read more
No Comments
7. June 2022  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

A Rare Commission Decision on SGEI Interpreting Decision 2012/21
State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered SM posts 10
A non-profit provider of free services which are in competition with similar services on the market is an undertaking. Introduction The decentralisation of State aid policy of the past decade has made it easier for the Member States to achieve their public policy objectives. By using blog exemption regulations and decisions, they can grant State aid faster, without having to […]
read more
No Comments
31. May 2022  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

State Aid and Anti-Competitive Practices
State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered SM posts 9
State aid to undertakings that engage in anti-competitive practices is incompatible with the internal market. Introduction For State aid to be compatible with the internal market, it may not infringe any other provision of the Treaty or secondary legislation. Occasionally, the Commission finds State aid measures to be incompatible with the internal market because they contain clauses that exclude foreign […]
read more
No Comments
24. May 2022  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Another Case of Rescue Aid to an Airline
State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered SM posts 6
An undertaking does not have to be nationally “important” in order to qualify for rescue aid. Introduction The pandemic has been hard on airlines. For some of them, however, the pandemic simply exacerbated their already existing problems. On 18 May 2022, in case T‑577/20, Ryanair v European Commission, the General Court had to examine the case of State aid to […]
read more
No Comments
10. May 2022  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Risk Finance
State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered SM posts 5
Risk finance aid in the form of tax relief based on the GBER must be limited to private investors. Introduction Decisions of the European Commission authorising aid for risk finance are very rare. This is the consequence of the success of the Commission to get Member States to use almost exclusively the General Block Exemption Regulation [GBER] for the design […]
read more
No Comments
3. May 2022  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

The Standard of Proof in State Aid Complaints and the “Informational Disadvantage” of Complainants
State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered SM posts 4
The Commission must use its investigative powers to seek clarification from Member States in order for it to establish whether a measure constitutes State aid, or is compatible aid, or is existing aid. Introduction Complaints are an important source of information to the Commission. The possibility afforded to undertakings to lodge such complaints with the Commission is intended to dissuade […]
read more
No Comments
26. April 2022  |   State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Member States Must Recover of their Own Initiative Illegally Granted Aid
State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered SM posts 3
Aid granted illegal must be recovered by the granting authority without any need for a prior Commission decision ordering recovery. The amount of recovered aid may be limited to that which is in excess of what is allowed by the GBER. Introduction It is a well-established principle in the case law that a “prudent market operator” is responsible to check […]
read more
No Comments
« Previous PageNext Page »

How to Submit a Blog Post

Do you want to share your analysis of a State aid law topic? We invite you to submit your post on, for example: recent European, national or international judgments or legislation with relevance to EU State aid law; new developments, publications, hot topics in EU State aid law. The recommended length of the post is 500-2,000 words incl. references (endnotes). Your analysis will be published under the category ‘Guest State Aid Blog’.

Here’s how you can publish a post on the Blog as a guest author:

Step 1: Submit your draft to Nelly Stratieva at stratieva@lexxion.eu.

Step 2: We at Lexxion will review your draft to make sure its content and quality fit the blog. If needed, they will suggest what improvements you should make.

Step 3: Once your draft has been finalised and accepted, we will publish your post.

Submit your guest blog post

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