State aid
Data and policy analysis
External reports produced for the Commission
The contents of these reports do not necessarily reflect the position or opinion of the European Commission.
- Study on the enforcement of State aid rules and decisions by national courts (July 2019)

In July 2018, DG COMP contracted, through a public tender, a study on the state of play of the enforcement of State aid rules by national courts. The study provides the state of play of State aid enforcement by national courts of the 28 Member States, identifying emerging trends and challenges, and presenting best practices. It also reflects the opinion of national courts regarding the cooperation tools (Article 29 of the Procedural Regulation (Council Regulation (EU) 2015/1589), i.e. request for opinion, request for information and the Commission’s intervention as amicus curiae). The study includes a database with national rulings. The correct application of State aid rules is a shared responsibility between the national authorities, national courts and the Commission. The role of national courts is essential to protect the direct effect of Article 108(3) TFEU (standstill obligation). In light of the results of the study, the Commission decides about possible modification of the State aid enforcement Notice of 2009 (Commission notice on the enforcement of State aid law by national courts). The objective of the whole exercise is to provide further guidance to national judges and improve the cooperation on State aid matters between the Commission and national judges. See also the study homepage with case database.
- Study on the financing models for public services in the EU and their impact on competition
, October 2016. Executive summary.
- The Impact of Government Interventions on Investment in the GB Electricity Market - Expert Opinion by Prof Richard Green and Dr Iain Staffell
, November 2013
- Ex post evaluation of the Regional Aid Guidelines 2007-2013
, December 2012
- The role and effectiveness of regional investment aid
. The point of view of the academic literature. Study for the European Commission, 2012
- Short term trade finance and credit insurance in the European Union, 2012.
This report examines the functioning of the trade finance and credit insurance market. It analyses how well the existing instruments meet the needs of both exporters and finance and insurance providers. The study also looks at the appropriate role for the state to play in the business, in the context of the financial crisis and beyond.
- Should aid be granted to firms in difficulty? A study on counterfactual scenarios to restructuring state aid. Prepared for the European Commission, 2009.
- 2009 update of the 2006 Study on the enforcement of State aid rules at national level, 2009
Country summaries (n.b. This content has not in any way been approved by the Commission and is no statement of the Commission)
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- Study on the Enforcement of State Aid Law at National Level, 2006
- Services of General Economic Interest - Opinion Prepared by the State Aid Group of EAGCP,
, 2006
- The Market Trends of Private Reinsurance in the Field of Export Credit Insurance
, 2005
- The impact of R&D; State aid and its appraisal on the level of EU research expenditure in the contect of the Barcelona European Council objectives.
, 2005
- Updating of the reference rates of interest applied to State aid control in the EU
, 2004
- Review of Community guidelines for national regional aid
, 2003
- Expert group reports on the effectiveness of public support mechanisms for private sector Research and Development, 2003
- Methodology for Identifying Sectors with Serious Structural Problems
, 2002

Handbooks

Reports by the Commission, by topic
Financial and economic crisis
Horizontal aid
Taxation
- Report on the implementation of the Commission notice on the application of the state aid rules to measures relating to direct business taxation, Report adopted by the Commission on 09.02.2004
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General State aid policy
- Progress report concerning the reduction and reorientation of State aid, 2002
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Application of State aid law by national courts
- Report on the application of EC state aid law by the Member State courts, 1999
Services of General Economic Interest (SGEI)
- Report on the state of play in the work on the guidelines for state aid and services of general economic interest, 2002
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- Report to the Seville European Council on the status of work on the guidelines for state aid and services of general economic interest, 2002
- Report
to the Laeken European Council - Services of General Interest (Presented by the Commission)
COM(2001) 598 final, October 2001
- Report on services of general economic interest in the banking sector adopted by the Commission on 17.06.1998 and presented to the ECOFIN Council on 23.11.1998
Archive section - Obsolete documents
- State Aid Manual of Procedures - Internal DG Competition working documents on procedures for the application of Articles 107 and 108 TFEU. July 2013
- Handbook on State aid rules for SMEs, Update of 25.02.2009
This Handbook gives a concise overview of the aid possibilities for the SMEs as allowed by the Community State aid rules. It also includes measures covered by the Temporary framework for State aid measures to support access to finance in the current financial and economic crisis in its amended version of 25.02.2009.
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- Vademecum on State aid rules, update of 30.09.2008
The Vademecum summarizes the main rules applicable to State aid control in a concise manner. The document is divided into two parts. The first, general part, provides a basic description of the notion of State aid. The second part consists of fiches on particular types of aid and their specific rules.
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- Vademecum on regeneration of deprived urban areas
, 2007.
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