About: State aid
EU countries use looser state aid rules to uphold troubled firms
Member states are making use of the new flexibility within EU state rules mainly to guarantee liquidity for all companies heavily affected by the economic fallout of the COVID-19 outbreak. EURACTIV has looked into the different schemes that have been approved so far.
EU farm chief: Post-coronavirus recovery should be green and sustainable
The Green Deal remains a flagship policy of von der Leyen Commission and the EU should aim for a post-COVID-19 recovery that is green and sustainable, Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski told EURACTIV.com in an exclusive interview.
Danish corona-hit firms get state aid to pay 75% of salaries
Denmark’s government told private companies struggling with drastic measures to curb the spread of coronavirus that it would cover 75% of employees’ salaries, if they promised not to cut staff.
EU plans ditching carbon cost refund for seven industrial sectors
The European Commission has proposed removing mining activities and fertiliser manufacturing from a list of heavy industries eligible for state aid, arguing EU climate policies no longer puts them at risk of relocating production outside Europe.
VW puts on hold plan for €1 bln car factory in Turkey over Syria incursion
Volkswagen has postponed the decision on opening a new car factory in Turkey against the background of the Turkish military offensive in Syria. "The final decision for the new plant was postponed by the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG," a company spokesman said on Tuesday (15 October), confirming media reports.
EU justice dismisses Starbucks tax ruling case, upholds Fiat
The EU general court rejected on Tuesday (24 September) the European Commission's decision that Starbucks had enjoyed a selective advantage in the Netherlands but confirmed assessment that Fiat had benefited from an unlawful tax ruling in Luxembourg.
Agriculture DG loses state aid oversight to boost competition rules
In an unexpected move, Commission President-elect Ursula von der Leyen has decided to move state aid competences in farming and fisheries from two directorates-general, Agriculture and Maritime affairs and fisheries, to DG Competition.
Barcelona and Madrid clubs team up to defeat Commission over tax regimes
Spanish football teams Real Madrid, Barcelona, Osasuna and Athletic Club Bilbao will not have to repay tax bills, after EU judges said on Tuesday that their tax regimes were lawful, contrary to the European Commission’s verdict.
Commission gives go-ahead to Italy’s milk plan, anticipates new EU cap for state aid
Support measures to help sheep milk prices recover are not state aid, said Italy’s Minister Centinaio after a meeting with EU Commissioner Hogan, who prepared the ground for increasing the ceilings up to which agriculture state aid can be provided.
EU court rules against Commission on Belgium ‘excess profit’ tax scheme
The system of exception for the excess profit of Belgian entities that are part of multinational corporate groups does not constitute illegal state aid, contrary to the European Commission's previous assessment, the EU's top court ruled on Thursday (14 February).
Italy’s populist leaders pledge to replace central bank’s top brass
Italy's populist leaders on Saturday (9 February) promised to replace top officials at the country's central bank, who they said must pay for failing to prevent a spate of banking scandals in which thousands lost their savings.
Romania keeps giving state aid to coal even as it holds EU presidency
Romania is continuing to prop up its ailing coal sector, blatantly ignoring EU state aid rules, even as the country claims to be defending EU values while holding the rotating presidency of the bloc, writes Alexandru Mustață.
McDonald’s tax deal with Luxembourg ‘not illegal’, Commission says
The European Commission concluded on Wednesday (19 September) that Luxembourg’s tax deal with McDonald’s was not illegal state aid as it did not give the company an unfair advantage, but instead was due to the “mismatch” of US and Luxembourgish tax laws.
French energy giant Engie hit with €120 million ‘illegal’ state aid ruling
Luxembourg will have to recover about €120 million in unpaid tax from French energy giant Engie, after the European Commission found the Grand Duchy guilty of breaching strict state aid rules.
‘Capacity markets’ must remain technologically-neutral
The European Parliament’s approach to electricity market design is a serious challenge to security of energy supply in Poland and other EU member states, warns Frank Umbach.
Austria sues over EU approval of Hungary nuclear plant
Staunchly anti-nuclear Austria lodged a legal complaint with the European Court of Justice yesterday (22 February) against the EU's approval of the expansion of a nuclear plant in neighbouring Hungary.
Italy fumes against company relocations in bitter election campaign
European Union rules are helping less wealthy nations swipe jobs from their bigger partners, Italy's industry ministry said yesterday (20 February), as plans by a multinational to shift production to Slovakia took centre stage in the national election campaign.
Commission launches investigation into IKEA’s tax rulings
The European Commission announced on Monday (18 December) that it is investigating Ikea’s tax bills as it suspects that the Swedish furniture maker may have benefited from illegal aid offered by the Netherlands, worth around €1 billion according to some reports.
Commission launches probe into Spanish aid to coal-powered plants
The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation into Spain's state aid for coal power plants to establish whether it is in line with EU rules, the executive said on Monday (27 November). EURACTIV Spain reports.
2018 start for expansion of Russia-backed Hungarian nuclear plant
Work on the Russian-financed expansion of a Hungarian nuclear plant will begin in January, Hungary's foreign minister said Monday (29 August) after talks in Budapest between Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Energy giants back calls to cut dirty power plant subsidies
A coalition of thirteen energy industry firms, including Siemens, Shell and Total, have launched a new joint initiative to limit the amount of state aid subsidies that are sent to highly-polluting fossil fuel plants across the EU. EURACTIV's media partner edie.net reports.
Liquidation of Italian banks shows limits of banking resolution rules
The European Commission's approval of a €17 billion aid package for an orderly wind-down of Italy's Veneto Banca and Banca Popolare di Vicenza, has sparked doubts about the strict application of banking resolution rules.
Italy coughs up €17bn to deal with two troubled banks
Italy will pay up to €17 billion to break up two insolvent Venetian banks, which have posed a threat to the country's banking system, the government announced Sunday (25 June).