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.

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

7. November 2017 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Indirect v Secondary Effects of State Aid

State Aid Blogs - 07.11.sardinia airport State aid

State Aid Blogs - 07.11.sardinia airport State aid

The prohibition of State aid in Article 107(1) of the Treaty applies both to the direct and indirect beneficiaries of aid. The direct and indirect beneficiaries are those who are intentionally targeted by the aid. Secondary effects are benefits which are inherent in an aid measure and which are not targeted at specific undertakings. Introduction Public funding for the […]

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1. November 2017 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Activities Linked to State Prerogatives

State Aid Blogs - 01.11.17 State aid

State Aid Blogs - 01.11.17 State aid

Economic activities which cannot be separated from the exercise of public powers cease to be economic in nature. Introduction The dividing line between economic and non-economic activities is in a permanent state of flux. Although it is now clear that some activities fall within the powers and prerogatives of the state, while many others are carried out by the […]

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24. Oktober 2017 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Private Creditor Test

State Aid Blogs - SAH Blog26 GBERd

State Aid Blogs - SAH Blog26 GBERd

The Commission must apply the private creditor test even if a Member State does not request it or believes that it is not relevant. Introduction Private investors always have two options: to invest or not to invest. They choose the option that generates the largest amount of profit or revenue. Similarly, private creditors also have two options: call in […]

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17. Oktober 2017 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

State Resources and Imputability

State Aid Blogs - 17.10. imputability stateaid

State Aid Blogs - 17.10. imputability stateaid

When the state acts in its capacity as legislator it is not presumed to direct the resources of undertakings it owns and over which it can exercise dominant influence as a shareholder. Introduction On 13 September 2017, the Court of Justice replied to a request from a national court to advise it on the concept of state resources [case C‑329/15, […]

2 Kommentare

10. Oktober 2017 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Pitfalls in the Use of De Minimis Aid

State Aid Blogs - 05.12.Imputability of Aid State aidz

State Aid Blogs - 05.12.Imputability of Aid State aidz

Calculating de minimis aid according to the average amount of aid received by undertakings is wrong. Introduction It appears that all Member States grant de minimis aid, even though some tend to grant it more easily than others. De minimis aid can be used to subsidise any costs, including those which are not eligible under other State aid rules. The […]

3 Kommentare

4. Oktober 2017 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

The Necessity and Proportionality of Regional Aid

State Aid Blogs - m 5 1

State Aid Blogs - m 5 1

The Commission must open the formal investigation procedure when it has serious doubts about the compatibility of State aid. The aid that is necessary to induce a company to locate its investment in an assisted region is the amount that covers the difference in costs between the assisted region and the best alternative location. This amount is also proportional. […]

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26. September 2017 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Odysseus and the Sirens: A Rational Market Operator Can Agree to be Bound by the Ruling of an Arbitration Tribunal

State Aid Blogs - m 6 1

State Aid Blogs - m 6 1

A rational market operator can agree to arbitration if there is no reasonable prospect of a better outcome. However, a rational operator would ensure that the terms according to which an arbitration decision can be taken would be defined in advance and would not be prejudicial to the operator. Introduction Is it rational for a market operator to agree […]

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19. September 2017 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Calculating the Amount of State Aid in a 100% Public Guarantee

State Aid Blogs - CCH tate aid infratructure

State Aid Blogs - CCH tate aid infratructure

The proxy rates in the Commission Notice on Guarantees cannot be used in cases of state guarantees that cover 100% of the underlying loans. Introduction Last week’s article reviewed the terms of the operation of regional airports in Greece. (View it here). This week’s article continues with the theme of management of public infrastructure and examines Commission decision SA.42545 on […]

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12. September 2017 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Concession Agreements Free of State Aid

State Aid Blogs - concessions State aid airports

State Aid Blogs - concessions State aid airports

Awards of concession contracts should follow a procedure which is open, transparent, non-discriminatory and unconditional. Prices may be regulated to prevent excessive prices and profits. But, the concession fee may be adjusted to enable the concessionaire to earn a sufficient return. Introduction This article examines the link between State aid and concession agreements. In decision SA.44259, the Commission considered […]

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5. September 2017 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Sale, Liquidation and Other Options for Private Investors

State Aid Blogs - m 33

State Aid Blogs - m 33

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 […]

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11. April 2017 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

The Need for Public Services Is Shown by Absence of Private Services

State Aid Blogs - m 24

State Aid Blogs - m 24

The scope of public service obligations must be proportional to the identified market failure. Introduction On 1 March 2017, the General Court dismissed the application of Societe Nationale Maritime Corse Mediterranee [SNCM] against the Commission [case T-454/13, SNCM v Commission].[1] The Commission had found in decision 2013/435 that SNCM received incompatible State aid that had to be recovered. SNCM carried […]

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4. April 2017 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

State Aid on the Day after the Exit of the UK from the EU

State Aid Blogs - m 25

State Aid Blogs - m 25

The UK will “take back control” over State aid. With it will come the challenge of following EU law and practice. Introduction Last June I wrote an article on how the withdrawal of the UK from the EU could affect the application of State aid rules in the UK. The article concluded with the following prediction. “The UK will soon […]

2 Kommentare

28. März 2017 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Altmark Requires Efficiency; Article 106(2) TFEU Does Not!

State Aid Blogs - m 26

State Aid Blogs - m 26

The provider of a service of general economic interest does not have to be more efficient than the “typical undertaking” in its sector. Introduction On 8 March 2017, the Court of Justice rendered its judgment in case C‑660/15 P Viasat Broadcasting v European Commission.[1] Viasat Broadcasting appealed against the judgment of the General Court of 24 September 2015 in […]

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21. März 2017 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

Support for Illiquid but Solvent Banks

State Aid Blogs - m 27

State Aid Blogs - m 27

State aid may be granted to solvent banks which face temporary liquidity difficulties. Introduction State aid rules have their own logic and are applied independently of other policy areas. However, in certain situations, the Commission enforces State aid rules in conjunction with linked provisions in other fields. A typical example is taxes levied on agricultural products to raise revenue […]

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14. März 2017 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

PART II: Ex Ante Assessment and Ex Post Evaluation of Risk Finance Measures

State Aid Blogs - 21.11.State resources State control

State Aid Blogs - 21.11.State resources State control

A well-designed State aid measure is preceded by a rigorous ex ante study that identifies market failure. The objectives of a well-designed measure address directly the nature and magnitude of the identified market failure. Read PART I: Ex Ante Assessment and Ex Post Evaluation of Risk Finance Measures from 7 March 2017. Ex Post Evaluation Plan Ex post evaluation focuses on i) […]

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7. März 2017 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

PART I: Ex Ante Assessment and Ex Post Evaluation of Risk Finance Measures

State Aid Blogs - StateAidHub blogpost23

State Aid Blogs - StateAidHub blogpost23

A well-designed State aid measure is preceded by a rigorous ex ante study that identifies market failure. The objectives of a well-designed measure address directly the nature and magnitude of the identified market failure. Introduction The European Commission has approved, with decision SA.40991, amendments to two existing aid measures: Enterprise Investment Scheme [EIS] and Venture Capital Trust [VCT] in […]

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1. März 2017 | State Aid Uncovered von Lexxion Publisher

Court’s Diary – March 2017

State Aid Blogs - 117048243 7cc6bb0b87 z

State Aid Blogs - 117048243 7cc6bb0b87 z

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. Wednesday 01/03/2017Judgment in Case T-167/14 – France v Commission (General Court – Sixth Chamber)Judgment in Case T-454/13 – SNCM v […]

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28. Februar 2017 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

State Aid for R&D: What Is Research?

State Aid Blogs - m 29

State Aid Blogs - m 29

Adapting know-how for the needs of clients is not research. Aid for projects for which there is no demand is not in the common interest. Introduction The purpose of research is to discover something new. But what is often difficult to define for public authorities that wish to stimulate more research activities is how new must be the outcome […]

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21. Februar 2017 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

State Aid for R&D: How Intermediaries Pass on Aid to Third Parties

State Aid Blogs - StateAidHub blogpost46 incompatible StateAid

State Aid Blogs - StateAidHub blogpost46 incompatible StateAid

Operators of research infrastructure do not benefit from State aid, if they fully pass on the aid to the users of the infrastructure. The amount of aid must be quantified. Introduction The beneficiaries of State aid to support R&D are normally those who carry out research. However, in the case of aid to research infrastructure there may be two categories […]

Ein Kommentar

14. Februar 2017 | State Aid Uncovered von Phedon Nicolaides

How to Calculate a Transparent Amount of State Aid in Public Guarantees

State Aid Blogs - m 31

State Aid Blogs - m 31

State aid granted in the form of public guarantees is transparent aid when it is calculated according to the methodology of the 2008 Commission notice or a methodology that is notified to and approved by the Commission. Introduction Aid to farmers, small enterprises or revenue-generating projects is often given in the form of state guarantees. This is because what […]

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