Free Competition and State Aid

The EC Treaty prohibits any state aid that distorts or threatens to distort competitions in the common market. There are exceptions to this principle:

• Aid compatible with the Internal Market in accordance with  Regulation 800/2008
•  Aid to promote Culture (certain sectors)
• “De minimis” aid in accordance with  Regulation 1998/2006
• Aid defined in the Commission Regulations to declare certain categories of aid compatible (in accordance with Regulation 994/98). These regulations are temporary and have been approved in the fields of: Training, State aid for employment , National regional investment aid . Aid can also be granted –previously authorized by the Commission - according to a procedure in order that Member States apply for specific authorizations .

State aid decissions (free competition law)

• EU Commission's  user's guide . Tranlation
• Guide (created in the ESDC)