Commission publishes 2024 Report on competition policy (25/04/2025)

The European Commission has published today its Report on competition policy for 2024. The report presents the main legislative initiatives and policy developments in 2024, as well as a selection of important enforcement actions.
The Report highlights the role of competition policy in strengthening the Single Market, where businesses can make the most of Europe's scale to develop strong and competitive industries to the benefit of European citizens. It also shows how competition policy has helped supporting industrial policy objectives, in line with the Commission's political priorities, while protecting and empowering consumers.
The Report, together with the accompanying Staff Working Document, which includes a comprehensive overview of policy developments and enforcement actions sector-by-sector, will be available here.

Commission publishes annual report on DMA implementation in 2024 (25/04/2025)

The Commission adopted today its second Digital Markets Act (‘DMA') annual report.
The report describes the measures taken from January to December 2024 to ensure effective enforcement of the DMA and achieving fairness and contestability in the internal market's digital sector.

Commission finds Apple and Meta in breach of the Digital Markets Act (23/04/2025)

The European Commission found that Apple breached its anti-steering obligation under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), and that Meta breached the DMA obligation to give consumers the choice of a service that uses less of their personal data. Therefore, the Commission has fined Apple and Meta with €500 million and €200 million respectively.

Commission closes investigation into Apple's user choice obligations and issues preliminary findings on rules for alternative apps under the Digital Markets Act (23/04/2025)

Following a constructive dialogue with Apple, the Commission has decided to close its investigation into Apple's user choice obligations under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The Commission has also informed Apple of its preliminary view that Apple's contract terms concerning alternative app distribution breach the DMA.

Commission approves €612 million Portuguese State aid scheme to support energy-intensive companies (24/04/2025)

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €612 million Portuguese scheme to lower electricity levy rates for energy-intensive companies. The scheme intends to reduce the risk that these energy-intensive companies relocate their activities to countries outside the EU with less ambitious climate policies. An energy-intensive company is a business that consumes a large amount of energy as a core part of its production process.

Commission approves a €400 million Spanish State aid scheme to support renewable hydrogen production (15/04/2025)

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €400 million Spanish State aid scheme to support the production of renewable hydrogen through the European Hydrogen Bank's "Auctions-as-a-Service" tool for the auction closing in 2025. The scheme will contribute to the objectives of the Clean Industrial Deal to accelerate the decarbonisation of EU industry while strengthening its competitiveness, of the REPowerEU Plan to reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels and accelerate the green transition, as well as the EU Hydrogen Strategy.

Watch the debate: Online expert workshop - DG Competition study on ‘killer acquisitions’ in the pharma sector (10/04/2025)

In case you missed it, here you can watch the whole online expert workshop - DG Competition study on ‘killer acquisitions’ in the pharma sector, held by DG COMP on April 10 2025. The objective of the workshop was to discuss the findings of the ex-post evaluation study into ‘killer acquisitions’with economic and legal experts also comparing the findings of the study to other recent research.

CET 20 Years: Competition Economics in a Changing World (15/05/2025)

To mark its 20th Anniversary, the Chief Economist Team is organising a conference that will bring together leading experts to discuss and reflect about competition economics in a changing world. The event will be a half-day conference (exclusively in-person, with no streaming available) on Thursday 15 May 2025, with opening and closing remarks by Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera and Director-General Olivier Guersent, a keynote lecture by Chief Competition Economist Prof. Emanuele Tarantino, as well as roundtables where contributors from academia, private sector and public sector will discuss about the contribution of economics to public policies, with an emphasis in competition and industrial policies.

New State aid Framework accompanying the Clean Industrial Deal Communication (11/03/2025)

The Commission announced in the Clean Industrial Deal Communication its intention to simplify State aid rules by adopting a new Clean Industrial Deal State aid Framework to accelerate the roll-out of renewable energy, deploy industrial decarbonisation and ensure sufficient capacity of clean tech manufacturing in Europe. With this consultation, the Commission seeks the views of relevant stakeholders on a draft for this framework to be adopted by June 2025.
Interested parties can respond to the consultation until 25 April 2025.
See also the Commission's press release.

Public consultation on the revision of EU competition rules on technology transfer agreements (31/01/2025)

The European Commission has launched a call for evidence and a public consultation to seek feedback on possible revisions of the Technology Transfer Block Exemption Regulation (‘TTBER') and the accompanying Guidelines.
This initiative forms part of the impact assessment phase, which follows the evaluation concluded in November 2024. The aim of the evaluation was to gather evidence on the functioning of the TTBER and the Guidelines, for the Commission to determine whether it should let the rules expire, prolong their duration or revise them in view of their expiry on 30 April 2026.
All interested parties can submit their views in any official EU language on the Commission's Have your Say Portal until 25 April 2025.

Evaluation: Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation (28/02/2025)

This initiative aims to evaluate the Regulation ahead of its expiry on 31 May 2028, looking at the following aspects in particular:

• the functioning of the Regulation since its recent extension, and
• the amendments to the guidance provided in the corresponding Commission Notice (Supplementary Guidelines) in 2023.

Call for input: competition law and critical raw materials (01/04/2025)

In this call for input, market participants are invited to indicate specific areas of their business activities as regards the procurement, recycling and re-use of raw materials for which guidance from the European Commission would help their assessment under the EU competition rules of specific instances of cooperation with competitors, with a view to enabling such cooperation.
Depending on the input received, DG COMP may engage with stakeholders in a targeted manner with questionnaires and may also organise a workshop to refine the insights collected on specific raw materials and industries.
See also the European Commission's press release.

Study on dynamic merger effects (25/03/2025)

DG COMP has launched a call for tender for an economic study on the dynamic effects of mergers, such as its impact on incentives to innovate and invest. The study aims to provide analytical foundations to assess whether a merger has a positive or negative impact on these dynamic factors, and how they trade off against static factors – such as changes in prices or output.
See also DG COMP's press release.

Antitrust and cartels (28/05/2021)

New Legislation
'What's new?'

Mergers (28/05/2021)

New Legislation
'What's new?'

State aid (28/05/2021)

New Legislation
'What's new?'

Digital Markets Act (11/01/2024)

New Legislation
'What's new?'

Foreign Subsidies (11/01/2024)

New Legislation

Commission announces IPCEI Design Support Hub and endorses project candidate on innovative nuclear technologies at Joint European Forum (10/04/2025)

The European Commission announced on 9 April the launch of a Design Support Hub for Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI), within which it will work closely with Member States to shape and design IPCEI candidates following their endorsement.
More information about the meeting is available on the JEF-IPCEI webpage.

State aid Scoreboard for 2024 shows Member States focused State aid expenditures towards long-term key EU priorities (08/04/2025)

The European Commission has published the 2024 State aid Scoreboard providing a comprehensive overview of State aid expenditure in the EU in 2023. While the overall spending dropped to €186.78 billion in 2023 from €243.27 billion in 2022, Member States channeled 73% of funds towards EU policy objectives, such as environmental protection and energy savings, research, development and innovation, and regional development.In 2022, this share was 49%. The total amount of aid spent on these key objectives increased to €136.78 billion from €119.98 billion.

Commission approves Safran's acquisition of part of Collins Aerospace's actuation business, subject to conditions (04/04/2025)

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition of part of the aerospace actuation business of Collins Aerospace by Safran USA Inc. (‘Safran'), controlled by Safran S.A., a leading French aerospace company. The approval is conditional upon full compliance with the commitments offered by Safran.

Commission fines car manufacturers and association €458 million over end-of-life vehicles recycling cartel (01/04/2025)

The Commission has fined 15 major car manufacturers and the European Automobiles Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) a total of around €458 million for participating in a long-lasting cartel concerning end-of-life vehicle recycling. Mercedes-Benz was not fined, as it revealed the cartel to the Commission under the leniency programme. All companies admitted their involvement in the cartel and agreed to settle the case.

Commission approves €1.5 billion Polish State aid scheme to support reinsurance for war-related risks to transport on the territory of Ukraine (04/04/2025)

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €1.5 billion (PLN 6.4 billion) Polish scheme to provide State-supported reinsurance of insurance for transport on the territory of Ukraine. The scheme will contribute to maintaining and facilitating trade flows between Ukraine and Poland, the Member State with the longest land border with Ukraine, that have been disrupted by the ongoing Russian military aggression.  

Commission launches consultation to promote industry cooperation to procure and recycle critical raw materials in line with EU competition rules (01/04/2025)

The European Commission has published today a Call for Input seeking feedback from market participants on how European companies procure and recycle certain critical raw materials and the interplay with EU competition rules. This fact-finding exercise was announced in the Clean Industrial Deal Communication and aims to assess the need for greater industry cooperation in that field.

Ryanair and Ryanair Sun v Commission (02/04/2025)

The Commission takes note of today’s judgment of the General Court, upholding the Commission’s decision of 22 December 2020 approving Polish State aid to LOT under the Temporary Framework for State aid measures to support the economy in the current COVID-19 outbreak.
In today’s judgment, the General Court confirmed that the Commission provided sufficient reasoning in its decision for its conclusion that the measure was compatible with the internal market, in particular since it fulfilled the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework with respect to recapitalisation measures.

DG Competition study on ‘killer acquisitions’ in the pharma sector : Online expert workshop (10/04/2025)

The objective of the workshop is to discuss the findings of the ex-post evaluation study into ‘killer acquisitions’ in the pharma sector performed by Lear and published by DG Competition on 28 November 2024. Economic and legal experts will have a chance to compare the findings of the study to other recent research.
Registration is now open for the workshop, which will take place on Thursday 10 April, 14:00 – 16:30h.

Youth Policy Dialogue 2025 EVP Ribera : Highlights (04/03/2025)

On 4 March 2025, Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera hosted her first Youth Policy Dialogue on Empowering Young Talent and Improving Gender Balance in the EU. The event was an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas with the younger generation and listen to their insightful contributions. Here you can see the highlights of event. For more information about the Dialogue, please click here, and for the recording of the whole event, please click here.

Commission approves €5 billion German State aid scheme to help industries decarbonise production processes (24/03/2025)

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €5 billion German scheme to help companies subject to the EU Emission Trading Scheme (‘ETS') decarbonise their production processes. The scheme contributes to the achievement of Germany's energy and climate targets as well as of the EU's sustainable prosperity and competitiveness objectives.

UBS Group and UBS v Commission (26/03/2025)

The Commission takes note of the judgment by the General Court upholding a 2021 Commission decision. In its decision, the Commission found that Bank of America, Natixis, Nomura, RBS (now NatWest), UBS, UniCredit and WestLB (now Portigon) breached EU antitrust rules through the participation of a group of traders in a cartel in the primary and secondary market for European Government Bonds (‘EGB').
In its judgment, the General Court found that the Commission had a legitimate interest to address the decision to all cartelists, irrespective of whether they were subject to fines. In addition, it largely upheld the amount of the fines imposed by the Commission, with the exception of those imposed on Nomura and UniCredit, which the General Court slightly reduced.
See also Curia's press release (in PDF format).

Consultation on the draft amendments to State aid Implementing Regulation and State aid Best Practices Code as regards access to justice in environmental matters (07/02/2025)

The Commission seeks the views of stakeholders on the draft amendments to the State aid Implementing Regulation (EC) No 794/2004 and the State aid Best Practices Code (BPC). These amendments set out a new mechanism which allows members of the public to request a Commission review of certain State aid decisions to establish whether they contravene EU environmental law. In the amended BPC, the Commission sets out the arrangements for the internal review procedure, such as who can request the review, which decisions can be subject to the review, and the applicable deadlines. Annex III to the draft Regulation amending the State aid Implementing Regulation contains a form for the submission of an internal review request.
See also the Commission's press release.

Call for evidence: Foreign Subsidies Guidelines (05/03/2025)

The European Commission is seeking feedback on the main objectives, scope and context of the upcoming Guidelines regarding the implementation of the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (‘FSR'). These Guidelines, to be published by 13 January 2026, are meant to provide certainty for companies and transparency of the Commission’s implementation of the 2022 rules on foreign subsidies.
All parties, who have an interest in the matter, can submit their views until 2 April 2025.

Commission finds that arbitration award ordering Spain to pay compensation in favour of Antin is illegal and incompatible State aid (24/03/2025)

The European Commission has concluded that an arbitration award, in which Spain is ordered to pay compensation to Antin for the modification of a renewable electricity support measure, constitutes illegal State aid.

Commission sends preliminary findings to Alphabet under the Digital Markets Act (19/03/2025)

Today, the European Commission sent two sets of preliminary findings to Alphabet for failing to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), regarding two services for which it has been designated as a gatekeeper.

Swenters v Commission (19/03/2025)

The Commission takes note of the judgment of the General Court dismissing an appeal against a 2023 Commission decision. In its 2023 decision, the Commission rejected a complaint against a number of companies active in quartz sand extraction in Belgium for alleged anticompetitive practices. In particular, the Commission found that the complaint did not involve a sufficient Union interest to justify further investigation, especially considering that the matter had already been brought to the attention of a Belgian court and that the latter appeared well placed to remedy the issues complained of.
In its judgment, the General Court confirmed, among others, that the Commission may reject complaints when, in cases with a predominantly national dimension, national courts are well placed to address the issues concerned.

Commission approves €960 million Czech State aid scheme to support investments in strategic sectors (18/03/2025)

The European Commission has approved a €960 million Czech scheme to support investments in strategic sectors to foster the transition to a net-zero economy. The scheme contributes to the achievement of the priorities of the European Commission for 2024-2029, based on the Political Guidelines, which call for investments in clean energy and technologies. The scheme also contributes to the achievement of the Clean Industrial Deal. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework (‘TCTF') adopted by the Commission on 9 March 2023 and amended on 20 November 2023 and on 2 May 2024.

Kargins vs Commission (19/03/2025)

The Commission takes note of today’s judgment of the General Court which dismissed the claim for damages of Rems Kargins against the Commission, concerning allegedly unlawful interference in national judicial proceedings before the Supreme Court of Latvia.
The General Court confirmed that the Commission’s submission of written observations to the Supreme Court was in line with the respective procedural rules, according to which the Commission is allowed to intervene, on its own initiative, in national court proceedings. The General Court confirmed that such interventions of the Commission are not binding on national courts, and that they pay particular attention to respect the independence of national courts. Consequently, the General Court denied liability of the Commission for any alleged damages the applicant suffered in the context of the resolution of former Latvian bank Parex. It also found that the legal mechanism for the Commission to submit written observations in national court proceedings does not constitute a violation of primary EU law, such as the principle of separation of powers between executive and judiciary.

DG Competition’s case data available as Open Data (18/03/2025)

DG COMP’s case data is now available for download via the official portal for European data. Each DG Competition policy area will have its own dedicated data set. 
Open Data records are machine-readable: this means users will be able to download each data set and re-process and analyze them under an increased number of parameters. Users can identify trends and patterns in enforcement across sectors, countries, time periods, etc. Furthermore, users will be able to combine COMP case data with that from other authorities or institutions. The data sets will initially be made downloadable in the JSON format (an open standard file format and data interchange format) and will be updated once a day.

Commission provides guidance under Digital Markets Act to facilitate development of innovative products on Apple's platforms (19/03/2025)

Today, the European Commission adopted two decisions under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) specifying the measures that Apple has to take to comply with certain aspects of its interoperability obligation.

Study on the effectiveness of EU antitrust remedies: Online expert workshop (27/03/2025)

DG Competition will host on 27 March 2025 an expert online workshop with the authors of the new Ex post evaluation study on the effectiveness of antitrust remedies study and leading experts on antitrust remedies to discuss both the findings and the recommendations of the study. The Webex link will be shared with participants a few days before the event.

Commission carries out unannounced antitrust inspections in the non-alcoholic drinks sector and asks for information in personal care sector (10/03/2025)

The European Commission is carrying out unannounced inspections at the premises of companies active in the non-alcoholic drinks sector in several Member States. In parallel, the Commission has sent out a formal request for information to a company active in the personal care sector.

Commission invites comments on the draft State aid Framework supporting the Clean Industrial Deal (13/03/2025)

The European Commission has launched today a consultation inviting all interested stakeholders to comment on its draft State aid Framework accompanying the Clean Industrial Deal (‘CISAF').
Interested parties can respond to the consultation until 25 April 2025. The proposal and details about the consultation are available here. 

Commission approves a €400 million Austrian State aid scheme, and a €36 million Lithuanian State aid scheme, to support renewable hydrogen production (10/03/2025)

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €400 million Austrian State aid scheme, and a €36 million Lithuanian State aid scheme, to support the production of renewable hydrogen through the European Hydrogen Bank's “Auctions-as-a-Service” tool for the auction closing in 2025. The schemes will contribute to the objectives of the Clean Industrial Deal to accelerate the decarbonisation of EU industry while strengthening its competitiveness, of the REPowerEU Plan to reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels and accelerate the green transition, as well as the EU Hydrogen Strategy

Cividale and Flag (13/03/2025)

The Commission takes note of today’s preliminary ruling by the Court of Justice confirming that a public contribution, granted to compensate an undertaking for the closure of a production site, constitutes State aid, provided that it is established, first, that the same undertaking would not have been able to obtain the same advantage in circumstances corresponding to the normal conditions of the market concerned and, second, that there is effective competition on that market.
In particular, the Court of Justice has confirmed that such a public contribution seems to confer an advantage on the beneficiary undertaking by mitigating costs (i.e. the costs for the cessation of the economic activity) that under normal market conditions are included in the budget of any undertaking.

PGI Spain and Others v Commission (12/03/2025)

The Commission takes note of the Judgment of the General Court upholding a 2022 Com-mission's decision, not to raise objections to a Spanish and Portuguese measure aiming to reduce electricity wholesale prices in the Iberian market.
In its Judgment, the General Court held that the Commission was right in finding that there was no serious doubts that the measure was compatible with EU State aid rules and EU En-ergy law. In essence, the General Court held that the Commission did not commit an error by not taking the applicants’ specific position on the electricity market into account. The General Court held that there was no discrimination and that the Commission was correct in finding the measure proportionate.

Fourth meeting of the Digital Markets Act High-Level Group on the DMA first anniversary (07/03/2025)

Today, the High-Level Group for the Digital Markets Act (High-Level Group) convenes for the fourth time in Brussels, with a keynote speech by Executive Vice-President Ribera. The meeting marks the first anniversary of the start of application of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) obligations, as well as two years from the decision to establish the High-Level Group.

Commission launches consultations on guidelines under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (05/03/2025)

The European Commission published today a Call for Evidence seeking feedback on the main objectives, scope and context of the upcoming Guidelines regarding the implementation of the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (‘FSR'). This is a first step towards the publication of the The Guidelines by 13 January 2026, as mandated by the FSR. The Guidelines will contribute to legal certainty, transparency and predictability in the Commission's enforcement of the FSR.
In parallel, the Commission has launched targeted consultations with Member States and selected stakeholders.

Gatekeepers publish updated reports on DMA compliance (07/03/2025)

The gatekeepers designated on 6 September 2024, Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, ByteDance, Meta and Microsoft, have to submit, by today, reports on their updated compliance measures under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), outlining the changes they have implemented and measures they have taken during the past year. By today, the gatekeepers also need to submit to the Commission updated independently audited reports on consumer profiling techniques.

Commission launches public consultation on antitrust rules for motor vehicle sector (28/02/2025)

The European Commission has launched today a public consultation inviting all interested parties to express their views on the functioning of the competition rules applicable to vertical agreements in the automotive sector. These rules include the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation (‘MVBER') and the Supplementary Guidelines (‘SGL'), both as amended in April 2023, as well as the Vertical Block Exemption Regulation (‘VBER') and the Guidelines on vertical restraints, as far as they apply to the automotive sector.

Commission closes interim measures proceedings against Lufthansa in A++ transatlantic joint venture case (27/02/2025)

The European Commission has decided to close its interim measures antitrust proceedings against Lufthansa. In particular, the Commission found that not all the conditions for ordering interim measures under Article 8 of Regulation 1/2003 were met. Such proceedings aimed at ordering the airline to reinstate Condor's access to Lufthansa's feed traffic to and from Frankfurt airport under the conditions the two airlines agreed upon in June 2024.

A Clean Industrial Deal for competitiveness and decarbonisation in the EU (26/02/2025)

Today, the Commission presents the Clean Industrial Deal, a bold business plan to support the competitiveness and resilience of our industry. The Deal will accelerate decarbonisation, while securing the future of manufacturing in Europe.
Competition policy will continue to provide a framework for investment and innovation. Through the Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework, it will help direct investment where needed - supporting the roll-out of renewable energy, driving industrial decarbonisation, and ensuring sufficient manufacturing capacity for clean tech - while safeguarding fair competition.

Commission opens in-depth State aid investigation into Croatian support to wood companies (24/02/2025)

The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess whether public support that Croatia has allegedly granted to Hrvatske Šume d.o.o. (‘HŠ') and certain Croatian wood processing companies is in line with EU State aid rules.

Commission approves €227 million Austrian State aid measure to support ams Osram in setting up a new wafer manufacturing facility in Premstätten (24/02/2025)

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €227 million Austrian measure to support ams Osram in the construction of an advanced manufacturing facility in Premstätten, Austria. The measure will strengthen Europe's security of supply, resilience and technological autonomy in semiconductor technologies, in line with the objectives set out in the European Chips Act Communication and the Political Guidelines for the European Commission 2024-2029.

Commission approves acquisition of Infinera by Nokia (26/02/2025)

The European Commission has approved unconditionally, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition of Infinera Corporation by Nokia Corporation. The Commission concluded that the transaction would raise no competition concerns in the European Economic Area (‘EEA').

Aeroportul Internaţional „Avram Iancu” Cluj (27/02/2025)

The Commission takes note of the judgement of the Court of Justice of the EU which The judgment clarifies that the Council Directive 96/67/EC on access to the groundhandling market at Community airports does not exclude the application of EU competition law’s prohibition of abusive conduct in situations where the airport provider refuses access to the airport infrastructure necessary for the provision of ground handling services at EU airports.
In particular, the Court confirmed that the mere existence of sectoral rules in no way means that the conduct in question is exempted from the competition rules laid down by the Treaties, irrespective of whether or not those sectoral rules are applicable to that conduct.

Alphabet and Others (25/02/2025)

The Commission takes note of today’s preliminary ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union in case Alphabet and Others (C-233/23) clarifying the interpretation of Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (‘TFEU’).
In particular, the Court clarified that, where a dominant company has developed a digital platform intended for use by third parties, it may constitute an abuse of dominant position to refuse to grant interoperability between that platform and a third-party app. The Court has also emphasised that this refusal can be an abuse even if access to that platform is not indispensable for the commercial operation of the third-party app, but is such as to make that app more attractive to consumers.
Furthermore, the Court clarified that the fact that the third-party app and other competitors remained on the market or even grew their position despite not having access to the dominant company’s platform does not mean that the refusal of interoperability did not have anti-competitive effects and was therefore not abusive. Such refusal can still be considered abusive if it has the potential to hinder competition on the market.
See also Curia's press release (in PDF format).

Youth Policy Dialogue : Empowering Young Talent and Improving Gender Balance in the EU (04/03/2025)

Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera, responsible for a Clean, Just, and Competitive Transition hosts her first Youth Policy Dialogue on 4 March 2025.
The event is designed as an open and frank discussion. How will the Commission’s policies for a clean, just and competitive transition impact young people — especially young women — and the next generations of Europeans?
The fourteen young participants from across Europe who will animate this year’s debate are the winners of DG Competition’s Student Challenges of 2019, 2021 and 2024 and students from other EU universities.

State aid in the aviation sector – Revision of the Commission guidelines on airports and airlines (11/12/2024)

This initiative aims to revise the guidelines on state aid in the aviation sector and align them with the objectives of the Green Deal, while preserving connectivity and supporting competition in the aviation sector.
This public consultation is open. Your input will be taken into account as we further develop and fine-tune this initiative. We will summarise the input we receive in a synopsis report, explaining how we have taken it into account. Feedback received will be published on this site and therefore must adhere to the feedback rules.
See also the Commission's press release.

Commission approves Belgian State aid measure to support lifetime extension of two nuclear reactors (21/02/2025)

Following an in-depth investigation, the European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a revised Belgian support measure for the lifetime extension of two nuclear reactors, Doel 4 and Tihange 3.

Commission approves €920 million German State aid measure to support Infineon in setting up a new semiconductor manufacturing facility (20/02/2025)

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €920 million German aid measure for the construction of a new semiconductor manufacturing plant in Dresden. The measure will allow Infineon to complete the MEGAFAB-DD project which will be able to produce a wide range of different types of chips. This new manufacturing plant will bring flexible production capacity to the EU and thereby strengthen Europe's security of supply, resilience and technological autonomy in semiconductor technologies, in line with the objectives set out in the European Chips Act Communication and the Political Guidelines for the European Commission 2024-2029.

Commission approves €2.3 billion Finnish State aid scheme to foster the transition to a net-zero economy (18/02/2025)

The European Commission has approved a €2.3 billion Finnish scheme to support investments in strategic sectors and to help industrial companies to decarbonise their production processes. The scheme contributes to the achievement of the priorities of the European Commission for 2024-2029, based on the Political Guidelines, which call for investments in clean energy and technologies. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework (‘TCTF') adopted by the Commission on 9 March 2023 and amended on 20 November 2023 and on 2 May 2024.

Ex post evaluation of the implementation and effectiveness of EU antitrust remedies (20/02/2025)

The study was launched in 2022 in anticipation of the 20th anniversary of Regulation 1/2003 with a view to contribute new evidence and insights for improving (1) the Commission’s remedies practice within the current legal framework and (2) the legal framework in Regulation 1/2003 itself. The design of the study was inspired by the pioneering 2005 ex post evaluation merger remedies study which at the time led significant improvements of the Commission’s merger remedies policy.
The study assesses the effectiveness of antitrust remedies imposed or accepted by the European Commission over the past 20 years under Articles 7 and 9 of Regulation 1/2003. The study draws on (1) an ex post evaluation of a carefully selected sample of twelve significant antitrust remedy cases (2) a statistical analysis of a comprehensive dataset of non-cartel antitrust decisions (2003-2022), (3) interviews with experts and (4) an in-depth literature review.
See also background and the main results summarized in this factsheet.
Moreover, DG Competition will host a workshop on 27 March at lunchtime with the authors of the study and leading experts – stay tuned for the details!

The use of crisis State aid measures in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine (March 2022-June 2024) (20/02/2025)

In the period March 2022 to June 2024, nearly €796 billion of aid was approved either under the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework or directly under the Treaty and based on TCTF principles. Around €219 billion was actually granted to companies, representing 27% of the aid approved and corresponding to 0.5% of EU27 GDP in 2022, 2023 and the first half of 2024.
These figures do not include sizeable support measures taken by several Member States to support their economy and households that do not qualify as State aid.

Athenian Brewery and Heineken (13/02/2025)

The Commission takes note of today’s preliminary ruling of the Court of Justice in the Athenian Brewery Case (C-393/23). The case concerns the question whether a person claiming to have been harmed by an infringement of EU competition law can sue the company which committed that infringement at the seat of the parent company in another Member State jointly with that parent company.
The judgment clarifies that a parent company and its subsidiary can be jointly sued at the place where one of them is domiciled if the parent company exercises decisive influence on the economic activity of the subsidiary.
Where the parent company holds all or almost all the shares in the capital of its subsidiary, a presumption applies that it exercises such decisive influence over the subsidiary.

Commission v Carpatair (13/02/2025)

The Commission takes note of today’s judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union, which sets aside a 2023 judgment of the General Court. In its judgment, the General Court partially upheld an action for annulment brought by Carpatair against a 2020 Commission State aid decision which found, after a formal investigation procedure, that several measures granted by Romanian public authorities to Timisoara airport and airlines operating at that airport either did not constitute State aid or constituted compatible State aid.
In its judgment, the Court of Justice found that the 2023 judgement by the General Court is vitiated by inadequate statement of reasons on Carpatair’s legal standing to bring an action for annulment of the 2020 Commission’s State aid decision. It thus decided to set aside the 2023 judgment, and to refer the case back to the General Court.