Brussels, 18 August 2022
The European Commission has approved modifications to five existing Spanish schemes to support companies in the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The amendments were approved under the State Aid Temporary Crisis Framework, adopted by the Commission on 23 March 2022 and amended on 20 July 2022, among other things, to increase the limited amounts of aid to companies affected by the current crisis or by the subsequent sanctions and countersanctions.
The five existing schemes are: (i) a €18 million scheme to support fishing vessel companies approved by the Commission on 2 May 2022 (SA.102645); (ii) a €450 million scheme to support road transport companies approved on 4 May 2022 (SA.102615); (iii) a €1.8 million scheme to support rail freight companies approved on 13 May 2022 (SA.102616); (iv) a €10 billion scheme to support companies across sectors approved on 2 June 2022 (SA.102711); and (v) an umbrella scheme to support companies active in all sectors approved on 10 June 2022 (SA.102771).
Spain notified the Commission of its intention to increase the maximum thresholds for limited amounts of aid under the five existing schemes. In particular, the maximum amount of aid will be increased to: (i) €62,000 per company active in the agriculture sector; (ii) €75,000 per company active in fisheries and aquaculture sectors; and (iii) €500,000 per company active in all other sectors. In addition, Spain notified the following amendments to the scheme to support road transport companies: (i) a budget increase of €450 million, bringing the total budget to €900 million; (ii) the inclusion of additional types of eligible transport sectors and vehicles; and (iii) a new period for submitting applications.
As regards the scheme to support private rail freight companies, Spain notified the following modifications: (i) a budget increase of €1.9 million, bringing the total budget to €3.7 million; and (ii) the inclusion of public rail freight companies as eligible beneficiaries.
The Commission found that the Spanish schemes, as amended, remain necessary, appropriate and proportionate to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of a Member State, in line with Article 107(3)(b) TFEU and the conditions set out in the Temporary Crisis Framework. On this basis, the Commission approved the amendments under EU State aid rules. More information on the Temporary Crisis Framework and other actions taken by the Commission to address the economic impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine can be found here. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the number SA.103941 in the State aid register on the Commission’s competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.
Source – EU Commission